Microworlds
Lesson 5
Learning to Use the Microscope
The teacher will direct the students in correctly using their microscopes. Student will practice focusing and getting used to using it.
3. Lesson Set-up and Management
4-5 APPA Technology involves changing the natural world to meet human needs or wants
- Students will learn background information on microscopes.
- Students will learn the parts of a microscope and how to use them.
- Students will begin the concept of field of view.
3. Lesson Set-Up and Management
Materials:
- Practice with the microscope and microfiche to become familiar with them before beginning this lesson with students
Student Management:
- Use the hands-off zone on their desks when you want to discuss parts of the microscope or other things with your students.
- Have students with glasses try to use the microscope with and without their glasses to see what is easiest for them.
- When discussing the bulleted points in Procedure 2, wait to use the term field of view until the students have had the experience. Current cognitive research states that learning is best achieved when vocabulary is introduced after concrete experiences. This is commonly known as A-B-C: Activity Before Content.
- In Procedure 4, it is very important to stress to students that the clips on these microscopes can break very easily. This is especially true when using two slides like in this lesson.
- Review the parts of the microscope with them. Demonstrate that the body of the microscope needs to be next to their body. This will ensure that the mirror is not blocked by them.
- Make sure you highlight the safety warning at the end of Procedure 6 with your students.
- To finish up this lesson, I always have my students do a Box and T-Chart to compare and contrast their microscope with Leeuwenhoek’s microscope from the reading. Then, I have them use the Compare and Contrast Writing Frame to write about them. (The Box and T-Chart and Compare and Contrast Writing Frame blackline masters can be found on the sciencenotebooks.org website.)
Writing Support:
- Use the Compare and Contrast Writing Frame for students to put their thoughts in sentences.
Reading Support:
- Read the selection “Who Invented the Microscope” with your class. This way you can discuss it as you go. This is also helpful for ELL students.
- You could have students research and read about other forms of micro technology, such as microchips.
Last updated 02/20/2010