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Testing Which Materials Are Magnetic, Homeschool Lab Sheet
A paper clip, a penny, a glass marble, and one magnet: testing which materials are magnetic has never been this easy to set up on your kitchen table.
Testing which materials are magnetic walks your student through a structured scientific inquiry using nine everyday objects: a paper clip, iron nail, steel screw, penny, aluminum foil, plastic spoon, copper wire, wood block, and glass marble. Your homeschooler brings each item close to a magnet without touching, records whether it was attracted, and writes observations in the results table. This sheet is well-suited for grades 2 through 4 as an introduction to physical science and the properties of matter.
The lab fits naturally into a unit study on magnetism, electricity, or physical properties of materials, and it stands alone just as well as a single-session hands-on learning activity. A student who completes it can distinguish magnetic from non-magnetic materials and begin drawing conclusions about what magnetic objects have in common, skills reinforced by the four-question conclusion section at the bottom of the sheet.
A hands-on testing which materials are magnetic experiment for grades 2-4, using nine common household objects. Download and print instantly.
Exploring Testing Which Materials Are Magnetic With Everyday Objects
Usage Notes
Every item on the materials list is a standard household object, so no specialty supplies are needed before you start. The only safety note the sheet flags is keeping the magnet away from touching the material directly until students have made their prediction, which reinforces careful scientific observation. A single bar or horseshoe magnet works fine, and the nine test objects can usually be gathered from around the house in a few minutes.
Printing Tips
A 24 lb or heavier sheet gives students enough surface to write comfortably in the results table without the paper shifting during the experiment. Single loose sheets work well on a clipboard at the table, or punch and insert into a science lab notebook after the conclusion questions are complete.