Hand Lenses
TEKS Objective
The student is expected to collect data from observations using simple equipment such as hand lenses, primary balances, thermometers, and non-standard measurement tools.
Essential Understanding
The student develops abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry in classroom and outdoor investigations.
Science Background
Magnifying Glass Information: See It Bigger (website) - A wealth of information on magnification including history, uses, lens size and focal length.
Magnifying Glass Information
See It Bigger, www.seeitbigger.com
Signature Lesson
Magnify It: Science NetLinks (website) - To understand that there are limits to what the eye can see, and understand how a magnifying glass can extend those limits, students employ a hand lens while observing, collecting, recording and comparing information about various common objects.
- Supporting Lessons
- Extensions
- Assessment Ideas
- Literature Connections
- Related
TEKS - Additional Resources
Supporting Lessons
Is Seeing Believing? K8 Science (PDF) - Students learn about magnification and how the appearance of objects/materials can changed when viewed through a convex transparent material.
Is Seeing Believing?
K8 Science, www.k8science.org
Little Drops of Water: PBS Teachers (website) - Students learn about the properties of magnifying lenses by comparing hand magnifiers to drops of water. Waxed paper may be used in place of the suggested “laminating plastic,” in the materials list.
Elaboration Lessons and Extensions
Magnify That: Elementary Globe (PDF) - Students practice observation skills, learn what magnification is, and use hand lenses to begin to understand how tools can aid in scientific observations of very small objects.
Assessment Ideas
Have students draw any object as it appears when magnified with a hand lens. Then have a classmate attempt to identify the object each student has drawn.
Literature Connections
What is a Magnifying Glass? Blevins, Wiley (ISBN-13: 978-0516273280)
Experiments with a Hand Lens. Tocci, Salvatore (ISBN-13: 9780516225067)
Additional Resources
Tools and Measurement: PBS Teachers (video) - Use the “Magnification Observation” activity to familiarize students with magnifying glasses and the microscopic world. Then, scroll toward the bottom of the page and click on “I Magnify,” a music video clip from an episode of Sid the Science Kid.
TEKS Navigation
Grade 2
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