- Laura Rogers
- Monday, November 16, 2020
Explore the world of energy, magnetism, and simple machines with your second or third grader.
Physical science standards encompass all kinds of fascinating opportunities to encourage creative experimentation and discovery with children. From magnets to simple machines, physical science is exploring the physical world and learning to use your deductions to answer questions about how things work. How can I move this heavy load? What sinks and floats and why? Why do magnets stick to some surfaces and not others? What exactly is electricity? Answers to these questions beg for experiments to find the answers for yourself.
Second Grade Physical Science: States of Matter and Magnets
What are the standards for second grade and how will I know if my child can meet them? Your child has met the Physical Science standards for second grade when:
- My child can demonstrate an understanding of the observable properties of solids and liquids.
- My child can demonstrate how solids and liquids can be mixed and also separated.
- My child can conduct structured investigations to demonstrate the effects of heating and cooling on solids and liquids.
- My child can demonstrate an understanding of the properties of magnets.
- My child can investigate the properties of magnets and can compare the effects of magnets on various materials.
- My child can communicate how magnets are used in everyday life.
- My child can demonstrate an understanding of the effects of pushes, pulls, and friction on the motion of objects.
Third Grade Physical Science: Electricity and Magnetism
What are the standards for third grade and how will I know if my child can meet them? Your child has met the Physical Science standards for third grade when:
- My child can demonstrate an understanding of how electricity transfers energy and how magnetism can result from electricity.
- My child can recognize that electricity can be transformed into other kinds of energy (heat, light, motion, and sound).
- My child can construct electrical circuits.
- My child can identify properties of conductors and insulators.
- My child can develop and use models to describe and compare properties of magnets and electromagnets (including polarity, attraction, repulsion, and strength).
- My child can plan and conduct investigations to determine factors that affect the strength of an electromagnet.
Activities and Multimedia
Activities
Build an amazing set of circuit blocks for your classroom or home use.
Play around with density with this sink or float activity.
Explore physics with a whole page of great experiments at Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls.
Create a magnet pendulum and explore magnetic fields.
Looking for more resources to teach the SC Education Standards? Visit the SC Education Standards page.
Books to Read:
The titles below will help you and your child learn about Physical Science. Want us to pull books for you? Contact us at 803-799-9084 and request to have books sent to your nearest Richland Library location.