We’ve Got Magic to Do!

What tricks do you have up your sleeve? Lead a unit all about magic!

Start the unit off by asking the class if they’ve ever seen a magic trick, and if anyone can demonstrate one for the class. Bonus points if you or a fellow teacher can perform one yourself to really generate students’ buy-in!

Next, show your class videos of some iconic types of different magic, like card tricks, illusions or mind-reading. Some famous ones to start with are David Copperfield vanishing the Statue of Liberty and Eden Choi’s impossible magic from Britain’s Got Talent. Afterwards, ask your students to choose one they feel most excited about and write down or draw how they think the trick was performed. In groups or as a full class, students should share their notes, with every student having a moment to present how they think it was done.

After your theorizing is over, it’s time to learn how the trick was really done with an explanation video! If you can’t find an explanation, decide as a class what you think is the most likely solution.

To culminate, try to recreate the magic trick to the best of your abilities, or use the performer’s secret method to invent a whole new one. You can even invite another class to come watch, but remember, a true magician never reveals their secret!