The Power of Line and Texture · Autumn Term

Capturing Natural Textures through Observation

Using observational drawing to capture the intricate details of shells, leaves, and bark, focusing on tactile qualities.

About This Topic

Magnetic attraction and repulsion introduce Year 3 students to the concept of non-contact forces. This topic covers how magnets can pull or push objects without touching them, a concept that often feels like magic to young learners. Under the National Curriculum, students must observe how magnets attract or repel each other and attract some materials but not others.

This unit builds the foundation for understanding fields and forces that act at a distance. Students learn to distinguish between magnetic and non-magnetic materials, discovering that not all metals are attracted to magnets. Students grasp this concept faster through structured discussion and peer explanation as they try to predict which objects will react to the magnet's pull.

Active Learning Ideas

Gallery Walk: Magnetic or Not?

Place various items around the room (coins, clips, foil, plastic). Students move in pairs with a magnet, predicting which are magnetic, testing them, and recording results on a shared class chart.

⏱ 30 min·Pairs

Generate mission

Simulation Game: The Invisible Maze

Students place a paperclip on top of a piece of card and move a magnet underneath to guide the clip through a drawn maze. This demonstrates how magnetic force acts through materials without direct contact.

⏱ 20 min·Individual

Generate mission

Peer Teaching: Attraction vs Repulsion

In pairs, one student acts as the 'North Pole' and the other as the 'South Pole' using bar magnets. They demonstrate and explain to another pair the rules of 'like poles repel' and 'opposite poles attract'.

⏱ 15 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

All metals are magnetic.

What to Teach Instead

Only certain metals like iron, nickel, and cobalt are magnetic. Many common metals like copper, aluminium, and gold are not. Hands-on sorting tasks with various metal objects help students see this distinction clearly.

Common Misconception

Bigger magnets are always stronger.

What to Teach Instead

The strength of a magnet depends on its material and how it was made, not just its size. A small neodymium magnet can be much stronger than a large ceramic one. Testing different sized magnets to see how many paperclips they can pick up helps correct this.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which metals are magnetic for Year 3 science?

At this level, focus on iron and steel (which contains iron). You can also mention nickel and cobalt, but iron-based materials are the most common magnetic items students will find in the classroom, like paperclips and some coins.

How can I demonstrate magnetic force acting at a distance?

A great way is to 'float' a paperclip. Tie a thread to a paperclip, tape the thread to the table, and hold a magnet just above the clip. The clip will hover in mid-air, showing the force pulling it upwards through the air.

What is the best way to teach attraction and repulsion?

Use bar magnets with clearly marked North and South poles. Let students physically feel the 'push' when trying to bring two North poles together. This physical sensation is much more memorable than just looking at a diagram.

How does active learning help students understand magnetism?

Magnetism is an invisible force, so active learning turns it into a tactile experience. By using 'predict-test-explain' cycles, students engage in scientific reasoning. Collaborative investigations allow them to compare findings, which is vital when they encounter surprising results, such as a shiny metal coin not being magnetic.

Browse curriculum by country

• Americas
• US
• CA
• MX
• CL
• CO
• BR

• Europe
• UK
• IE
• FR
• DE
• ES
• IT
• NL
• PT
• SE

• Asia & Pacific
• IN
• SG
• AU