North and South Poles

Grade level

Grades 2–3

Time

About 15 minutes

Topic

Magnets

Answer key

Yes, page 2 of the PDF

Kids practice

Magnetism, Predicting and testing, Attract and repel

What kids do

Printed on the sheet:

1. Every magnet has a north pole (N) and a south pole (S). Poles that are different attract (pull together). Poles that are the same repel (push apart).
2. 1. Two magnets come close. Circle what happens.
3. A magnet has two poles.
4. If you cut a magnet in half, each half has only one pole.
5. Earth acts like a giant magnet.
6. A compass needle is a tiny magnet that points north.
7. 2. Circle True or False.
8. Try it: hold two magnets so they push apart. What did you feel?

Words on this sheet

N meets SattractrepelN meets NS meets SS meets NTrueFalse

Teacher tip

Hand out two bar magnets per pair so kids can feel attract and repel.

How to use it

• Give each table a magnet and a tray of small objects before the sheet.
• Ask kids to predict first, then test, then write.
• Let partners compare answers and settle any differences with a book or a video.

Watch for

Kids who think all metals stick. Aluminum foil and coins usually don’t.

Talk about it

• Where do you see magnets at home?
• What evidence helped you choose your answer?

Take it further

Make a magnet maze with a paper clip on top of a paper plate.

US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.