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Teaching Science with Lynda R. Williams

Elementary Science Ideas, Lessons, and Resources

Static Electric and Magnetic Fields Middle School

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static electricity and magnetic fields

In middle school, students learn about fields of energy like magnetic fields and static electric fields.  It can be tricky to teach about something the students cannot see.  This is precisely the point, students are expected to provide evidence that a field exists.

NGSS MS-PS2-5. Conduct an investigation and evaluate the experimental design to provide evidence that fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other even though the objects are not in contact.
 
Another related idea is that you can measure the strength of a field and record evidence.
MS-PS2-3. Ask questions about data to determine the factors that affect the strength of electric and magnetic forces. [Clarification Statement: Examples of devices that use electric and magnetic forces could include electromagnets, electric motors, or generators.
 
I took these two standards and put together a unit that I think is really interesting.
 
Static Electricity Middle School
 
Students first need some background information on what is happening at an atomic level.  I have a slideshow for this.
 
Electrons and Protons in Static Electricity
Student will next do some hands-on experiments to prove the existence of a field.
Static Electricity Balloons Repelling
Balloon static electricity and salt
 
 

Students will also study magnetism and discuss the field.  Next students will build an electromagnet.  They will conduct fair tests to see if they can increase the strength of the magnetic field by changing one variable.

Electromagnet


Students will evaluate their design.

Also, students will think about what is happening on an atomic level.  Students will make a model to show their understanding. MS PS1-1

Develop models to describe the atomic composition of simple molecules and extended structures. 

Making a model of static electricity molecules

This HUGE resource has it all, including assessments. You can download this resource in two locations:

Here on teachingscience.us
And In My TPT Store

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Thank you, and I hope you enjoy using this unit in your classroom!

Static Electricity Middle School Unit

Aligns with Utah SEEd 7th Grade standards also.

Standard 7.1.3 
Construct a model using observational evidence to describe the nature of fields that exist between objects that exert forces on each other even though the objects are not in contact. Emphasize the cause and effect relationship between properties of objects (such as magnets or electrically-charged objects) and the forces they exert. (PS2.B)
 
Standard 7.1.4 
Collect and analyze data to determine the factors that affect the strength of electric and magnetic forces. Examples could include electromagnets, electric motors, or generators. Examples of data could include the effect of the number of turns of wire on the strength of an electromagnet, or of increasing the number or strength of magnets on the speed of an electric motor. (PS2.B)
 
Please stop by more store and see all my resources for middle NGSS and Utah SEEd                                Teaching Science With Lynda Store
 

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    I am so impressed with this unit which manages to be distance learning and hands-on at the same time.  Really well thought out and engaging activities that allow students to practice each of the eight Science and Engineering Practices.  Really no prep for me!

     
    Science and Engineering Practices Distance Education Unit

    Tina S

    Teaching Science with Lynda R. Williams
    5
    2016-05-03T18:05:39-06:00

    Tina S

    I am so impressed with this unit which manages to be distance learning and hands-on at the same time.  Really well thought out and engaging activities that allow students to practice each of the eight Science and Engineering Practices.  Really no prep for me!   Science and Engineering Practices Distance Education Unit
    The elephant article was excellent but I also thought the lab on dissecting a flower was broken down so easily, even telling me where to get inexpensive flowers!  This resource helped me teach this challenging standard in an engaging way.  Worth every penny!

     
    Structure and Function NGSS 4-LS1-1 and 4-LS1-2

    Richard S

    Teaching Science with Lynda R. Williams
    5
    2016-05-03T18:07:52-06:00

    Richard S

    The elephant article was excellent but I also thought the lab on dissecting a flower was broken down so easily, even telling me where to get inexpensive flowers!  This resource helped me teach this challenging standard in an engaging way.  Worth every penny!   Structure and Function NGSS 4-LS1-1 and 4-LS1-2
    As always, Lynda provides perfect alignment with the standards.

     
    Age of the Earth and Geologic Time Scale NGSS MS ESS1-4

    Sharon M

    Teaching Science with Lynda R. Williams
    5
    2016-05-03T18:24:44-06:00

    Sharon M

    As always, Lynda provides perfect alignment with the standards.   Age of the Earth and Geologic Time Scale NGSS MS ESS1-4
    Thank you so much for creating this resource! It is such a fun and engaging activity for my students, especially during distance learning.

     
    Honey Bee Digital Escape Distance Learning

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    Teaching Science with Lynda R. Williams
    2020-11-03T20:44:55-07:00

    Expedition Fourth

    Thank you so much for creating this resource! It is such a fun and engaging activity for my students, especially during distance learning.   Honey Bee Digital Escape Distance Learning
    My students loved this unit. I was able to present different elements of it throughout the month. It is hard to find interesting non-fictional, age-appropriate text for my students that they will enjoy. This was a great unit that aligned well for my students who have very different goals within the same group.

     
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    Heidi J

    Teaching Science with Lynda R. Williams
    2020-11-03T20:45:49-07:00

    Heidi J

    My students loved this unit. I was able to present different elements of it throughout the month. It is hard to find interesting non-fictional, age-appropriate text for my students that they will enjoy. This was a great unit that aligned well for my students who have very different goals within the same group.   Compare and Contrast Two Texts on Reindeer
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    Teaching Science with Lynda R. Williams

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