What Sticks to a Magnet?

Turn the classic magnet test into real reasoning with this scaffolded grade 3 sorting worksheet. Students sort everyday objects into magnetic and non-magnetic, then look for the pattern: magnets pull on things made of iron or steel, not just any metal.

A built-in misconception-buster is the heart of the sheet — a penny is metal but does not stick — so students discover that metal does not always mean magnetic. Picture icons label each object, making the sort accessible for young and struggling readers, and a short reasoning question asks students to explain how they know.

This worksheet is a perfect second step in a hands-on magnets unit and pairs with the What Is a Magnet reading passage. Use it for science centers, early finishers, sub plans, or homework. Everything is no-prep: print and teach. A clean answer key is included, and the answer key skips the images to save your ink.

• Grade 3 • NGSS 3-PS2-3
• Picture-supported sort + pattern and reasoning questions
• Builds the iron and steel generalization
• Print-and-go PDF with answer key