Curated OER
Let's Learn About Plants!
Students discover different plants and plant parts by observing their campus. In this plant life lesson, students take a guided walk around their school with a magnifying glass examining everyday plants as well as photographing them....
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Big vs. Little - Macro to Micro Lesson 2
The big world is full of tiny surprises. Classes discover all things big and small while completing the second lesson of a five-part series comparing macro- and micro-objects. Learners collect items from around the room including things...
Curated OER
Magnify It!
Young scholars view objects of various sizes from several viewing distances to discover that their visual field is limited. They record what they see and compare their observations with classmates. They conduct more structured experiments.
Curated OER
Close Observation: Coins
Integrate math, science, and speaking/listening with a collaborative hands-on activity. Each group works with a single penny, examining it with the naked eye and recording observations. Repeat using magnifying glasses. Then repeat with a...
Curated OER
Playground Zoom
Students observe and draw small objects on the playground or in the classroom with and without a magnifying glass. They explore how lenses can affect the way that an object is observed from afar or remotely sensed. Afterwards, they share...
Curated OER
Ruler and Magnifying Fun
First graders investigate objects using rulers and magnifying glasses. They record their observations using a data-recording sheet and write a characteristic for each item they observe. They use the ruler to solve math problems.
Curated OER
Understanding Eyeglasses
Kids wonder about eyeglasses, and why people have to wear eyeglasses. This should shed some light on the subject. Learners develop an understanding about eyelgasses, and also other visual aids, such as magnifying glasses. In fact, they...
Curated OER
Thumbprints
Thumbprints are fascinating! Here is a clever lesson that allows kids to discover that everyone has a unique thumbprint - no two are alike! They use magnifying glasses to closely observe their own, and someone else's thumbprints. Then,...
Curated OER
Crystal Painting
Students investigate crystalline solids. In this crystals lesson plan, students observe samples of natural crystals and compare and contrast each. They draw pictures with crayons and then paint over their picture using crystalline solids...
Cornell University
Building a Compound Light Microscope
What better way to learn how to use a microscope than building your own? A lab investigation has scholars use lenses from magnifying glasses and sheets of cork to design their own compound microscopes. They calculate focal length and the...
Arts & Humanities
Let's Go Buggie!
To celebrate art youth month, little ones get out the magnifying glasses and get close-up with bugs. They make scientific observations of bugs you bring into the classroom. Then, they use markers, clay, paint, or crayons to make artistic...
California Academy of Science
What Would Happen?
Nothing says classroom fun like an invertebrate and a magnifying glass! Snails, earthworms, and roly-poly bugs become the center of attention as pint-sized investigators hone their inquiry and observation skills. They are guided through...
Curated OER
Magnify It!
Students explain that there are limits to what the eye can see and that a magnifying glass can help extend those limits. They examine an object with the magnifying glass and draw the size and shape of what they see as accurately as they...
Curated OER
Life Science Observations: Living vs. Non Living Things
Students investigate the difference between living and non-living things. In this life science lesson plan, students discover the different characteristics of living things and the natural or human created non-living things. Students...
California Academy of Science
What's on a Penny?
As a lesson on scientific observation, have your class investigate the features of a penny and a nickel. Working in pairs, they practice writing detailed descriptions using their senses and a ruler to gather information. This is an...
Curated OER
Magnify That
Students observe many different objects using a magnifying lens. In this magnification lesson plan, students learn that scientists use different tools, and they use the tool to magnify objects in the classroom to see objects in better...
Denver Art Museum
Lesson: History Detectives
Provide an opportunity for your class to develop logic and observation skills. Using eight small altar paintings and magnifying glasses, kids examine the tiniest details to determine if the paintings were created by the same person. They...
American Chemical Society
Changing State: Condensation
When you have a cold drink and you notice the water forming on the outside, it is literally pulling the water from the surrounding air to form the condensation. After watching a demonstration of condensation forming on a glass,...
Curated OER
The Scientific Method Using Mystery Powders
Students use the scientific method to determine physical and chemical properties of unknown substances. In this scientific method lesson plan, students discuss chemical and physical properties of substances as a class after a...
Curated OER
Red Worms Rock!
Second graders measure red worms. In this lesson plan, 2nd graders observe and collect data on red worms. Students measure the red worms and create a graph with the data they collect.
LABScI
Botany: The Plant Dissection Lab
Study everything about plants! The 12-part series of lessons continues with an examination of many aspects of plants. Components of the laboratory activity address the growth and structure of plants by evaluating familiar plants. The...
Curated OER
What Parts Are There to a Plant?
Students explore botany by completing plant science worksheets. For this plant anatomy lesson, students examine real vegetables in class using magnifying glasses. Students identify the plants anatomy and complete worksheets discussing...
Curated OER
Learn about snails and then race them!
Learners examine snails and make observations about where their eyes are located, how they eat, and how they move. In this snails lesson, students discover information about snails by observing them. Learners use magnifying glass, a...
Curated OER
Richmond Nature Park Field Trip
Students identify different plants and their uses by attending a field trip. For this Canadian plant lesson, students explore the great outdoors of Vancouver, B.C. and discuss the uses of plants by the Native Americans that once resided...