What Is A Magnet?

Soooo...we are supposed to be studying the letter "W."  I just ran across my GIANT tub of magnets and all things magnetic while cleaning and got all giddy all over again!  I couldn't resist!!  So, in keeping with our weekly alphabet themes, I had to come up with a "W." The result..."W"hat is a magnet?"  Yes...it's a stretch, I know, but like I said...I CAN'T resist the allure of watching all those sweet faces amazed by the "magic" of a magnet. 
So...LET'S PLAY!!!

I mean...just LOOK at that face!!  That wild haired beauty was totally excited about her "fishing pole."  We made magnetic fishing poles with circular magnets that had holes in the middle.  This gave a great place to tie off the string, and tied the other end to a wide popsicle stick "pole." 

We then went ALL over the room hunting for items that would stick.  During our discussion time, we learned that anything that sticks to a magnet contains iron.  We tried windows and doors, trash cans and dolls, pillows, feet and hair.  They LOVED that they "caught" the refrigerator!  They worked and worked to try to pull the door open with their fishing poles. 

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This book was a bit advanced for our pre-k crowd, but with a bit of literary license we made is applicable. It did bring up several points of interest and we learned a new vocabulary word...IRON! Everything that is magnetic has Iron in it.

Our multi colored magnetic wands made a great study about colors too. We practiced seeing what each color wand would attact!

One of my FAVORITE group pix...we sang "stage" (atop the sandbox!!) with out magnetic microphones they built them selves!!

One of our first mini-magnet lessons was on "push" and "pull" - attraction. This magnetic car was a GREAT example of attraction!!

Even our littlest babes LOVED sticking them together and pulling them apart. This was a fun fine motor skill utilizing their hand/eye coordination and a fun large motor skill...see those biceps AT WORK!!!

We made a boat from couch cushions and fished for many different objects...some stuck and some did not! Another GREAT lesson about things that are magnetic :) We also practiced taking turns and letting one another fish...

And they were SUPER excited to get out the magnetic building blocks again (like they were BRAND NEW!) since they better understood WHY they would stick together and build some fun new structures. Thankfully we were able to secure the base as we discussed foundations and bracing to build a LARGE structure. This pic was post tears as he tried and tried to build something big. We used it as a practice to 1. Keep trying - NEVER give up...and 2. Breathe deeply - we are all in this together...3. I am here and will help you along the way. A GREAT moment of connection and ultimately VICTORY!!!

Push, pull, push, pull....A much better way to fully understand the difference of these vocabulary building words.

Another moment in time...

Many of you that follow our blogs know my passion for play in the early childhood setting.  I LOVE play...as Mr. Roger's says, "It's a child's work..."  I couldn't agree more.  As you read the captions on all our fun pictures notice all the vocabulary words we have learned.  Push, pull, attraction, iron...  This is math, language skills, motor skills, social/emotional skills, and science IN ACTION!!  These do not need be difficult, or separate.  They, like life itself, are intertwined.  Luckily in a child's view of the world...it's all in a day of play.

We wish you well...keep on playing.

-L