Classroom Idea Sheet

Amazing Magnetic Worms

Geometry, design, architecture, creativity, science… This activity has it all! In this activity, students get the opportunity to design and build a home for magnetic “pet worms”, and then enjoy bringing their worms to life.

Standards alignment

Common Standards — cross-referenced to the Common Core State Standards, the Next Generation Science Standards and the California Content Standards.
StandardFrameworkGradeSubjectDomain
Ask questions to determine cause and effect relationships of electric or magnetic interactions between two objects not in contact with each other. [Examples: the electrical forces between a charged rod and pieces of paper; the force between 2 permanent magnets, the force between an electromagnet & steel paperclips, Focus on forces produced by objects that can be manipulated by students, & electrical interactions – limited to static.]Next Generation Science StandardsGrade 3Physical ScienceMotion and Stability: Forces and Interactions
Define a simple design problem that can be solved by applying scientific ideas about magnets. [ Examples: make a door latch; creating a device to keep two moving objects from touching each other.]Next Generation Science StandardsGrade 3Physical ScienceMotion and Stability: Forces and Interactions
Plan and conduct an investigation to describe and classify different kinds of materials by their observable properties.Next Generation Science StandardsGrade 2Physical ScienceMatter and its Interactions
Analyze data obtained from testing different materials to determine which materials have the properties that are best suited for an intended purpose.Next Generation Science StandardsGrade 2Physical ScienceMatter and its Interactions
3.MD.5. Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.Common Core MathematicsGrade 3Measurement And DataGeometric Measurement: Understand Concepts Of Area And Relate Area To Multiplication And To Addition
3.MD.6. Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and improvised units).Common Core MathematicsGrade 3Measurement And DataGeometric Measurement: Understand Concepts Of Area And Relate Area To Multiplication And To Addition
3.MD.7. Relate area to the operations of multiplication and addition.Common Core MathematicsGrade 3Measurement And DataGeometric Measurement: Understand Concepts Of Area And Relate Area To Multiplication And To Addition
4.MD.3. Apply the area and perimeter formulas for rectangles in real world and mathematical problems. For example, find the width of a rectangular room given the area of the flooring and the length, by viewing the area formula as a multiplication equation with an unknown factor.Common Core MathematicsGrade 4Measurement And DataSolve Problems Involving Measurement And Conversion Of Measurements From A Larger Unit To A Smaller Unit
California Standards — cross-referenced to the Common Core State Standards, the Next Generation Science Standards and the California Content Standards.
StandardFrameworkGradeSubjectDomain
1.f. Magnets can be used to make some objects move without being touched.CA ScienceGrade 201. Physical Sciences1. The motion of objects can be observed and measured.
1.2 Estimate or determine the area and volume of solid figures by covering them with squares or by counting the number of cubes that would fill them.CA MathematicsGrade 303. Measurement and Geometry1.0 Students choose and use appropriate units and measurement tools to quantify the properties of objects.
1.1 Measure the area of rectangular shapes by using appropriate units, square centimeter, square meter, square kilometer, square inches, square yard, square mile.CA MathematicsGrade 403. Measurement and Geometry1.0 Students understand perimeter and area.
1.4 Understand and use formulas to solve problems involving perimeters and areas of rectangles and squares. Use these formulas to find the areas of more complex figures by dividing the figures into basic shapes.CA MathematicsGrade 403. Measurement and Geometry1.0 Students understand perimeter and area.
1.f. Magnets have two poles, labeled north and south, and like poles repel each other while unlike poles attract each other.CA ScienceGrade 401. Physical Sciences1. Electricity and magnetism are related effects that have many useful applications in everyday life.

About this sheet

Grades covered

Kindergarten – Grade 6

Curriculum topics

Magnetism, Area, Design, worm

Sheet number

277