III. Chapter
 
Magnetism
Activity 1
Activity 2
Activity 3
Activity 4




Activity 3: We build a compass.

Magnetism

Target group: children of 3 to 6 years in kindergarten

Aim: Getting to know the functioning of a compass.

Where: group area

How long? Approx. 45 minutes

What? Getting to know the functioning of a compass.

Preparation:

Compasses, magnets, a bowl, a piece of cork, a needle or metal bar, tape.

Steps:

The nursery school teacher has a compass for each pair of children. At first the children

can experiment freely with the compass. The nursery school teacher mentions the directions, and afterwards the children think about in which direction the needle of the compass points and may experiment further. The children guess why the needle turns. They take a magnet and

experiment further, the magnet’s poles are labelled.

 

Building the compass: The necessary materials are put into the

centre of the circle. The children describe the materials and think about

how they can build a compass from the materials. With the help of the

nursery school teacher the children build a compass.

Building instructions:

  1. In order to magnetise the needle you rub it on a magnet for approximately 15 seconds.
  2. You use the tape to stick the needle onto the piece of cork.
  3. Now you let the cork float in the bowl filled with water.

4.   The North Pole of the needle always points to the North.

 

The children try the compass and pairs are asked to build their own compass. They take another compass as a model. The nursery school teacher makes the connection with the

North and South Poles of the earth.

 

Note: With these materials the children may also experiment in free play.

 

Scientific Explanation:

A compass is a device for the determination of the North direction. The compass needle is a magnet, which sits on a pivot. Even if you turn the compass, the needle always points North.

 

Possible variation:

The compass can also be made from a bottle-top,

into which you push the magnetized needle. In order to distinguish between the North and the South Poles you can paint one end red and the other one green.

Note!

The experiments with the compass are particularly suitable for older

children. Beautiful instructions for playing that also stress an holistic approach can be found in the book "Spielzeug Physik".

References:

Ardley, Neill Spannende Experimente aus Natur und Technik. Bindlach 1998

Niggemeier, Hibon: Spielzeug Physik

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