Before students explore magnetism and electricity, it is important to build background knowledge.  This means that students will learn about atoms and their parts.  Atoms are the smallest unit of an element that can exist and still retain the properties of the element.  When two or more atoms are joined together, molecules are created.

It's amazing to think that everything around us is made up of these microscopic objects.  Students will learn that the center of an atom, its nucleus, is made up of neutrons and protons.  Electrons are found zooming around the the nucleus in their orbitals.

Moving electrons are crucial when it comes to explaining electricity...which will be introduced after Thanksgiving break.