Magnets: Attract or Repel?

Magnets: Attract or Repel? | Sorting Activity (Grades 3-5)

Target the #1 magnet misconception head-on: that the same force can pull OR push depending on the poles. In this one-page sort, students read eight real-life scenarios and decide — attract or repel? A fast, low-prep way to surface what kids really understand. Perfect for daily bell-ringers, morning work, exit tickets, or science centers.

What's Included

• 8 illustrated scenario cards — fridge magnets, paper clips, ring magnets, matching and opposite poles, and more
• A simple circle-to-sort format (Attract or Repel) — no cutting or gluing
• A "Sum It Up" word-bank summary that has students state the rule in their own words
• A full teacher answer key with a one-line explanation for every card and a "Big Idea" summary

How It Helps You Teach

Because the eight cards are balanced between attract and repel, you can see at a glance which students still confuse the two — making this a fast formative check. The answer key gives you the reasoning behind every card, so you can turn the sort into a whole-class discussion, and the "Sum It Up" summary reinforces the vocabulary and the core rule from your lesson. Print and go in 5-10 minutes, no prep.

Love this resource? Check out our libraryfor more daily science activities on this topic — reading, vocabulary, and real-world news sheets that pair perfectly with this one for bell-ringers and morning work all week.

NGSS 3-PS2-3 • Part of the Daily Science series by Workybooks.