English National Curriculum - Science

6. Explore the everyday uses of magnets

Mission Objectives

Understand what a compass is and how it works

Explain how a compass works

Apply knowledge of magnetic poles to construct or use a compass

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Rocket Words Quiz

Rocket Words Quiz

See if you know all the meanings of the rocket words

Assessment Quiz

Assessment Quiz

Test your knowledge of this lesson

Word Search Game

Word Search Game

Find all the rocket words in the grid

Lesson Resources

Lesson Plan

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Keywords

Words and meanings to learn

magnetic poles

the two ends of a magnet where its magnetic force is strongest

magnetic needle

a piece of magnetised steel used as an indicator on the dial of a compass

magnetic north

the point on the Earth that compass needles are attracted to

direction

a course along which someone or something travels

compass

an instrument which shows direction

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Heather Bingham

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Sarah is a former headteacher and charity CEO who founded Developing Experts in October 2015 with the goal to create a fit-for-purpose curriculum for schools. The company has created a science curriculum for children ages 4-16 which is delivered through sequenced lessons mapped against the National Curriculum in biology, chemistry, and physics. Developing Expert's innovative approach to learning has already been road-tested and voted 'best EdTech product in Europe', winning Tech Nation’s Rising Stars earlier in 2019 and a place on Google for Startups Immersion program 2020. In 2022 Developing Experts won the BETT Awards for Best Classroom Resource - Teaching Aid. Sarah is a 'LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leader' 2022. In October 2022 Developing Experts joined Tech Nation's Upscale 8.0 programme.

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Emma Wilding

Emma has spent the past 12 years teaching in primary schools, where she has led history and played a key role in shaping curriculum development across her academy trust. With a passion for designing lessons that are lively, meaningful, and rooted in real-life context, she is dedicated to making learning something children remember and enjoy.

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Required Resources

Resources: Compasses, clipboards and writing tools. Optional: sewing needles, bar magnets, pieces of foam or cork, scissors and bowls of water

Core Handout (2): Page 1 provides instructions for constructing a compass. Page 2 is a template with lines for the children to write their instructions. Pages 3 and 4 contain a set of instructions for the children to follow to find the treasure, with a grid and compass points included.  Teacher answers are provided on Page 5.

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