Human Magnets: Attract and Repel
Half the class is the north pole and half is the south pole: when the drum stops, opposite poles attract and stick together, and like poles repel and jump apart. Then a giant magnet appears that only attracts metal objects. Students practice reaction, cooperation, and the science of magnets.
How to play
- Hand out red (north) and blue (south) pinnies and use two real magnets to show attract and repel (3 min).
- Everyone walks freely to the beat of the hand drum. When the drum stops, each student finds someone nearby.
- If the two have different colors, they attract: they stand back to back and travel together like a magnet. If they are the same color, they repel: they turn and take three jumps away from each other (4 min).
- Magnet chains: at each stop, pairs add a student whose pole is opposite the chain's end and keep moving without letting go (3 min).
- Hand out cards: some students are nails or coins (metal) and others are pencils or erasers (not metal). One student becomes the giant magnet and walks around: only the metal objects stick to them when tagged (3 min).
- Wrap-up: quick questions answered with movement, such as "North and north?" (move apart) or "North and south?" (come together) (2 min).
Rules
- Walk or jog; nobody runs once the chains get long.
- Connect gently and never pull a classmate.
- When repelling, jump toward open space, never toward another person.
Variations
Easier
Play only with attract and repel pairs, always walking.
Standard
Pairs, chains, and the giant magnet with metal and non-metal objects.
Harder
Switch pinnie colors halfway through, or add a second giant magnet that competes for objects.
Adaptations
- Students with limited mobility: connect with a short rope or pole instead of back to back, and make a great giant magnet.
- Students with autism or sensitivity to touch: connect by both holding a pole, and give advance notice of changes.
- Fitness level: in chains, students who need more challenge travel hopping or in a squat walk.
Learning goals
- Experience how magnetic poles attract and repel.
- React quickly to a sound signal by adjusting their movement.
- Cooperate with classmates to travel while connected.
Equipment for a class of 25
- pinnies: 25
- hand drum: 1
- object cards: 25
Teacher tip
Bringing a couple of real magnets and some paper clips helps young students get the idea right away.
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