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Hand Lenses

Hand Lenses

TEKS Objective

The student is expected to collect data and make observations using simple equipment such as hand lenses, primary balances, and non-standard measurement tools. 

Essential Understanding

The student develops abilities to ask questions and seek answers in classroom and outdoor investigations. 

Science Background

Magnifying Glass Facts and FAQs: See It Bigger (website) - General information about magnifiers, including an explanation of focal length, the role of lens size, types of lenses, etc.

Magnifying Glass Facts and FAQs
See It Bigger, www.seeitbigger.com

Signature Lesson

Magnify It! Science Netlinks (website) - Magnifying glasses can help extend the limits of our eyes by making objects appear larger. In this activity, students observe objects at different distances to learn that magnifying glasses allow them to see in greater detail at close distances.

Magnify It!
Science Netlinks, www.sciencenetlinks.com

Supporting Lessons

Magnify That: Elementary Globe (PDF) - Students lean about magnification by making and using pinhole magnifiers, and by using hand lenses to observe grains of salt and sugar.

Magnify That
Elementary Globe, classic.globe.gov

Elaboration Lessons and Extensions

Nature Spies: Houghton Mifflin Education Place (website) - Lead students on a nature walk to a local park or the school playground. Observe trees, flowers, plants and insects. Have students use a hand lens for close views, and then record their observations in their science notebooks.

Nature Spies
Houghton Mifflin Education Place, www.eduplace.com

Assessment Ideas

Give each student a hand lens and a leaf or mealworm. Have students observe their object using the hand lens, make a detailed drawing of what they see, and make a list of words describing the object. 

Literature Connections

You Can Use a Magnifying Glass. Blevins, Wiley (ISBN-13: 978- 0516273280)

Experiments with a Hand Lens. Tocci, Salvatore (ISBN-13: 978- 0516269948)

Adventures with a Hand Lens. Headstrom, Richard (ISBN-13: 978-0486233307) 

Related Science TEKS

(1.2A) Ask Questions
The student is expected to ask questions about organisms, objects, and events observed in the natural world.

(1.2B) Plan and Conduct Descriptive Investigations
The student is expected to plan and conduct simple descriptive investigations such as ways objects move..

(1.2D) Record and Organize Data & Observations
The student is expected to record and organize data and observations using pictures, numbers, and words.

(1.2E) Communicate Observations
The student is expected to communicate observations with others about simple descriptive investigations.

(1.4A) Tools for Collecting Information
The student is expected to collect information using tools, including computers ,  hand lenses , primary balances, cups, bowls, magnets, collecting nets, and notebooks; timing devices, including clocks and timers; non-standard measuring items such as paper clips and clothespins; weather instruments such as demonstration thermometers and wind socks;  and materials to support observations of habitats of organisms such as terrariums and aquariums.

Related Math TEKS

1.9A    Collect and sort data.

1.9B     Use organized data to construct real object graphs, picture graphs, and bar-type graphs.

1.11D  Use tools such as real objects, manipulatives, and technology to solve problems.

1.12A  Explain and record observations using objects, words, pictures, numbers, and technology.

1.13A  Justify his or her thinking using objects, words, pictures, numbers, and technology. 

Additional Resources

Looking Through Lenses: Science Optics and You (website) - Fun activities that enable students to explore the properties of convex and concave lenses.

Looking Through Lenses
Science Optics and You, micro.magnet.fsu.edu

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