The whole earth is a great big ...

Magnet!  Did you know that buddy?  It is the biggest magnet in the whole world, because it is a magnet!!!
.
Remember when you studied compasses with your continents and maps?  Well, compasses always point north because they are magnets and they react to the Earth's magnetic field.  Pretty amazing, huh?
.
Ancient Chinese sailors knew that compasses pointed north.  I wonder if they knew why?
.

Remembering that the Earth is a big magnet is a good way to remember what you call the ends of a magnet.  The ends of a magnet are called its poles.  Just like the North Pole and the South Pole on the Earth.

.

I think that's neat.

.
Love you with the force of the Earth's magnetic field,
Dad.