You will learn
- Define magnetic field.
- Draw field lines.
- Use a plotting compass.
- Explain Earth’s field.
Version 0.2 · expanded edition · built from cited public sources Content is based on the official frameworks and sources listed under Sources and standards. No official endorsement is claimed. Written in the style of common primary school assessments. No exam result is promised.
Student lesson
- Fields surround every magnet.
- Field lines run from north to south outside.
- Stronger where lines are closer.
- Earth has a magnetic field.
Words to know
the region where a magnet’s force acts
a line showing the direction of the field
a tool with a magnetic needle
Earth’s magnetic field in space
1. Discover: The compass dance
Akosua moves a small compass around a bar magnet. The needle swings and always points along curved lines. “The magnet has a field,” says Ms Badu. “The compass needle is a tiny magnet showing the direction.”
Think: Why does the needle point north without a bar magnet nearby?
2. Understand: Fields
Idea 1: Magnetic field
A magnetic field is the space around a magnet where its force can be felt. It is strongest near the poles.
Idea 2: Field lines
We draw field lines from the north pole to the south pole outside the magnet. Closer lines mean a stronger field. A compass needle lines up with the field.
Idea 3: Earth
Earth’s core makes a magnetic field that guides compasses and forms the magnetosphere, which deflects harmful particles from the Sun.
3. Worked examples
Example 1 (I show you): Draw
Field.
- North to south.
- Close at poles.
- Arrows.
Answer: Field lines.
Example 2 (We do it together): Use
Compass.
- Place near.
- Mark needle.
- Move.
Answer: Plot lines.
Example 3 (You try): Explain
Earth.
Show the steps and answer
- Core.
- Compass.
- Protection.
Answer: Earth’s field.
Did you know?
Some animals, such as sea turtles and birds, may use Earth’s magnetic field to navigate.
Why this matters
Magnetic fields explain compasses, motors and auroras.
4. Explore: Plot the field
Place a bar magnet under a sheet of paper, put a small plotting compass at points around it, mark the needle direction and join the marks to show field lines.
- Place the magnet.
- Mark compass points.
- Move the compass.
- Join to show lines.
Think about it: what did you notice?
What did you notice? The lines curved from north to south.
5. Practise
Say it in a sentence
Use these starters when you talk about the lesson. Say them out loud.
- A ___ field is the space where a magnet’s force acts.
- A ___ line shows field direction.
- A ___ has a magnetic needle.
- The ___ is Earth’s magnetic field in space.
Guided practice
Question 1. What is a field?
Region of force.
Question 2. Which way do lines go?
North to south.
Question 3. What is a compass?
Magnetic needle.
Independent practice
Level 1: Start
- What is a field?
- Which way do lines go?
- What is a compass?
- What has a field?
- Strongest where?
Level 2: Grow
- Why curved lines?
- Why compass moves?
- Why Earth’s field?
Level 3: Stretch
- Plot.
- Label.
- Explain.
Answers are in the answer key below. Try first, then check.
6. Apply: Science in everyday life
Explain what a magnetic field is.
Show a sample answer
Use field lines.
Another one. Tell a family member one thing from this lesson. Use the words you learned.
Show a sample answer
A clear sentence that uses at least one word from Words to know.
7. Common mistakes
Fix: They do.
Fix: Magnetic pole.
8. Lesson summary and revision card
- I can define magnetic field.
- I can draw field lines.
- I can use a plotting compass.
- I can explain Earth’s field.
9. Check and master
Answer all 14 questions. You will see feedback after each one.
Your result appears here after you answer every question.
10. Key takeaways
- Fields surround every magnet.
- Field lines run from north to south outside.
- Stronger where lines are closer.
- Earth has a magnetic field.
11. Next lesson
Next lesson: Electrical safety. Keep going with the next idea in this course.
Exam practice
These questions are written in the style of common school and international primary assessments. Try them on your own, without looking back. Then check your answers in the marking guide. The marks are shown in brackets.
- Define magnetic field and field line. [2 marks]
- Draw field lines around a bar magnet. [3 marks]
- Explain Earth’s magnetic field. [3 marks]
- Safety rule. [2 marks]
Total: 10 marks.
Marking guide and model answers
- 1 each
- Curved [1]; north to south [1]; arrows [1]
- Core [1]; compass [1]; protection [1]
- Any [1]; reason [1]
Score guide: 9 to 10 = secure. 6 to 8 = nearly there, revise the parts you missed. Under 6 = work through the lesson again with a grown-up.
Printable worksheet
- What is a field?
- Which way do lines go?
- What is a compass?
- What has a field?
- Strongest where?
- Why curved lines?
- Why compass moves?
- Why Earth’s field?
- Plot.
- Label.
Homework
Draw a bar magnet and its field lines.
Answer key and marking scheme
| Question | Expected response | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1. What is a field? | Region of force. | 1 |
| 2. Which way do lines go? | North to south. | 1 |
| 3. What is a compass? | Magnetic needle. | 1 |
| 4. What has a field? | Earth. | 1 |
| 5. Strongest where? | Poles. | 1 |
| 6. Why curved lines? | Field shape. | 1 |
| 7. Why compass moves? | Field direction. | 1 |
| 8. Why Earth’s field? | Core. | 1 |
| 9. Plot. | Drawing. | 1 |
| 10. Label. | Labels. | 1 |
| Total | 10 |
Independent practice answers. Level 1: 1 Region of force.; 2 North to south.; 3 Magnetic needle.; 4 Earth.; 5 Poles.. Level 2: 1 Field shape.; 2 Field direction.; 3 Core.. Level 3: 1 Drawing.; 2 Labels.; 3 Sentence..
Quiz answers: 1 B, 2 C, 3 A, 4 B, 5 C, 6 A, 7 B, 8 C, 9 A, 10 B, 11 C, 12 A, Challenge 1 B, Challenge 2 C.
Mastery and remediation
| Objective | Bronze (Developing) | Silver (Proficient) | Gold (Advanced) |
|---|---|---|---|
| O1 Define magnetic field | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O2 Draw field lines | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O3 Use a plotting compass | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O4 Explain Earth’s field | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
Courseversity badge thresholds (overall quiz score): Gold = 90–100%; Silver = 80–89.9%; Bronze = 70–79.9%. A badge is never a full record of progress.
If a learner struggles
- Find the misconception: “Magnets have no field in air.” They do.
- Explain another way: use real objects, pictures or actions first, then words.
- Show a simpler example: Explain magnetic fields.
- Guided practice: work through one example together and let the learner try the next one.
- Reassess: use the quiz again or the worksheet.
- Move on when the learner shows Silver-level evidence independently.
For parents and guardians
In this lesson your child plots magnetic fields with compasses. You do not need to be an expert to help.
- Use a compass outdoors.
- Ask “Where is north?”
- Keep magnets safe.
- Ask “how do you know?” after each answer, and listen.
- Praise effort, not only right answers. Mistakes are how we learn.
- Ten to fifteen minutes a day is better than one long session.
Teacher package
1–5. Objectives, prerequisites, materials, preparation, duration
Lesson objectives. Learners will: define magnetic field; draw field lines; use a plotting compass; explain Earth’s field.
Prerequisite knowledge. Grade 5 ideas: simple circuits, conductors and insulators, and magnets.
Materials. Bar magnets, plotting compasses, paper. Low-resource options: use chalk or charcoal on a board or wall, drawings in the sand, and objects from the classroom instead of printed materials.
Preparation. Check compasses.
Suggested duration. 45–60 minutes. It can be split into two shorter sessions.
6–9. Teaching procedure, explanation notes, guided and independent activities
Introduction (5 min). Move a compass near a magnet and ask, “Why does it swing?”
Explanation (10 min). Teach fields.
Guided activity (10 min). Learners plot.
Independent activity (10 min). Learners explain.
Assessment and reflection (5 min). Ask each learner to say one thing they learned and how they know it.
Key questions. Which way do the lines go?
Teacher explanation notes. Start with real objects and safe, hands-on observation. Then talk about what was seen, then draw and write. Always say “how do you know?”. Keep to the safety notes, and use local, safe materials.
10–12. Differentiation, formative assessment, common misconceptions
Support. Use real objects and pictures, short sentences and a partner. Let learners point, show or draw instead of writing. Extension. Ask learners to find a new example at home and explain how they know.
Formative assessment. Listen to learners read and explain, ask “how do you know?”, and check the independent work.
Misconceptions. “Magnets have no field in air.” They do.
13–15. Assessment questions, answer keys, marking scheme
Use the quiz, the 10-mark exam practice and the worksheet on this page. All answers and marking guides are in the answer sections above. Re-check every answer before use.
16–19. Remediation, enrichment, homework, teacher reflection
Remediation. Explain magnetic fields. Enrichment. Look for one new example near your home or school, draw it and explain it to someone. Homework. See above.
Teacher reflection. After teaching, record: which ideas learners understood; which misconceptions occurred; which activities worked; which learners need more practice; and what to improve next time.
Sources and standards
This lesson is based on the sources below, and no official endorsement is claimed. Reference starting points: Next Generation Science Standards, Cambridge Primary Science and the IB Primary Years Programme. Where a standard code is named, it points to the official framework.
Research used to shape this lesson. Courseversity Science curriculum, Grade 6 Unit 7, topic 9; Next Generation Science Standards, energy and forces; Cambridge Lower Secondary Science, physics; IB Primary Years Programme, how the world works. These sources informed the lesson.