Exploratorium
Pinhole Magnifier
Using a pinhole in an index card, learners of light find that it can be used as a magnifier.
Curated OER
Let's Learn About Plants!
Students discover different plants and plant parts by observing their campus. For 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 plan of a five-part series comparing macro- and micro-objects. Learners collect items from around the room including...
Curated OER
Magnify It!
Students 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...
Scholastic
Follow the Clues
Invite your text detectives to bring their magnifying glasses to school to examine the clues in a text and make predictions. They write down three clues and a prediction on the graphic organizer.
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,...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Taking a Closer Look at Objects
Take a close look at the world around you with an activity that magnifies everyday objects. Five explorations examine items under intense magnification and pose a series of questions that encourage critical thinking and following...
Science Days
My Fingerprints
Here is a very simple worksheet that offers learners the opportunity to put their fingerprints on two blackline shapes of hands. A great tool to use when teaching little ones about their unique and individual prints. Tip: Have learners...
Physics Classroom
The L.O.S.T. Art of Image Description - Converging Lenses
Magnifying glasses and cameras often use converging lenses, but how do they alter an image? Pupils discover a lens, axis, and object arrow before identifying four characteristics of the resulting image. They label the location,...
Curated OER
Crystal Painting
Students investigate crystalline solids. In this crystals lesson, 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!
Learners 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 activity, students discover the different characteristics of living things and the natural or human created non-living things. Students...
Exploratorium
Water Sphere Lens
With a Florence flask or fishbowl, make a double convex lens and use it to examine an image. Because of the refraction, the image will be inverted. A simple explanation is provided here for you to share with your class as they...
California Academy of Science
What's on a Penny?
As a lesson plan 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
Pupils 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 detail.
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,...