ScienceForces & MotionAges 11–12

Magnetic Fields

Describe magnetic poles (north and south), explain attraction and repulsion between poles, describe magnetic field lines plotted using a compass, and explain the Earth's magnetic field and its practical uses

Lesson

Set out your lesson

Connect magnet interactions, field direction and compass limitations.

Before teaching

Use this short check, then start teaching.

Activity

Comfort with the particular task and communication mode; optional oral/scribed work is recorded separately.

Policy

Check the learner can access these words/materials and prerequisite ideas; historical authorship is not readiness or mastery. If not, demonstrate briefly or revisit the named prerequisite.

Printer, credit, and teaching notes

Check the learner can access these words/materials and prerequisite ideas; historical authorship is not readiness or mastery. If not, demonstrate briefly or revisit the named prerequisite.

Use the original field diagram first. Optional compass work needs an adult-approved large bar magnet, away from electronics/medical devices; no loose filings or small powerful magnets. No printer: view only the active learner card on screen, or an adult copies its exact prompts onto plain paper without answers. Oral pointing/dictation is an access option; record it as adapted/supported and do not claim handwriting from it. Keep adult keys/scripts separate; supply only the current stage.

Use the complete materials on screen or print only the current sheet. Keep adult guidance out of learner view.

Next: Show

Adult extras

Teaching limits and safe use

These are finite task opportunities, not proof of mastery. Record what was attempted and what support was used.

Memory drawing not actual field mapping; compass equipment, true-north correction and real navigation remain conditional. No loose-iron-filings activity provided.

Use fictional cases and invented identifiers; never record personal conflicts, health, bank details or family spending. Adult prompts/keys are private companion files, never learner links.

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Teaching approaches

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1 approach

Selected Default Gakuva

Connect magnet interactions, field direction and compass limitations.

Family records and proof options

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Save photos, notes, and attendance. Export a proof packet for compliance or portfolio reviews.

View learner plans ($12/mo per learner) See sample family archive

Learning resources

Extra practice links — they do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.

PhET Interactive Simulations · Practice link — not the full lesson

Forces and Motion: Basics

Open practice(new tab)

Before you open · source notes

Forces and Motion: Basics supports hands-on exploration for Magnetic Fields. Not every lab worksheet.

Free interactive page, no sign-in required for the tested path.

Before you open

Ask the learner what they changed in the sim or page and what they observed.

Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.

Source, access and review notes

Public PhET Interactive Simulations page. An anonymous GET on 2026-11-12 returned HTTP 200 with no login or payment prompt for this URL. Opening the link does not save practice or assess mastery. An adult should preview and guide the learner.

PhET Interactive Simulations. “Forces and Motion: Basics.” External page; Gakuva does not copy, host, embed, or redistribute materials.

Unknown — link only

Check understanding

States the rule for attraction and repulsion of magnetic poles
Draws the magnetic field pattern around a bar magnet from memory or compass readings
Explains why a compass needle points north
Explains that the Earth has a magnetic field and describes how it is used for navigation

“If your child used a compass and iron filings to map the magnetic field around a bar magnet, could they describe what pattern the field lines make and explain why a compass needle always points roughly north?”

Curriculum record

Type: Conceptual
Subject: Science
Domain: Forces & Motion
Age range: Ages 11–12

Standards

ngss-ms:MS-PS2-5uk-nc-2013:KS3.Sci.Phys.MotionAndForces.8

Curriculum