Ag Biology

Using a Microscope Lab Investigation

Course: Ag Biology Ag Stds: 1.0-1.A

Unit: Cell Structure
Instructional Area: Microscopes Academic Stds:
ELA.SL.1.C,

Equipment, Supplies, References, and Other Resources: (Attach all

handouts, activity sheets, reference guides, etc.)
Compound light microscope, prepared slide, lens paper, glass microscope slide
(2), coverslip (2), scissors, newspaper, medicine dropper, water, forceps,
dissecting needle or pencil, thread, and lab worksheet for each student.
Standards:
ANR.1.0-1.A- Select and use appropriate tools and technology (such as
computer-linked probes, spreadsheets, and graphing calculators) to perform tests,
collect data, analyze relationships, and display data.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1.C- Propel conversations by posing and

responding to questions that relate the current discussion to broader themes or
larger ideas; actively incorporate others into the discussion; and clarify, verify, or
challenge ideas and conclusions.
Objectives:
During this lesson/ Upon completion of this lesson students will:
-Have demonstrated the proper use and care of a compound light microscope
-Focus the compound light microscope at low power and at high power
-Make a wet- mount slide to examine under the microscope
Instructional Anticipatory Set:
You tube- “History of the Microscope” video
-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svoEwp0W-NE
Presentation:
-Instruction as a class on what the lab requirements are going to be
-Read the directions as a class before I let students work on the lab themselves,
break down each section one by one so things don’t get confusing:
-Part 1- Learning the compound light microscope
-Part 2- Making a wet mount
-Part 3- Depth of field focusing
Guided Practice:
-Students will work in groups of 2-3 students, sharing a microscope at their lab
-Part 1- using their lab worksheet, students will write down the functions of the
microscope parts. They will do this using past notes and as they observe and play
with the microscope. I will come around making sure that students are
familiarizing themselves with the parts of the microscope and how to use them
properly.
-Part 2- In their lab groups, students will cut out a capital letter R from a piece of
newspaper, with my directions- scissors will be used appropriately, They are going
to also use a medicine dropper to place a drop of water in the middle of a
microscope slide. I will be coming around to make sure the water drop isn’t
excessive. After they form their wet mount, students will take turns observing the
letter using low power and high power objectives.
-Part 3- Students will make a wet mount slide of two threads by crossing threads-
repeat same steps from part 2. I will come around and help students as needed,
making sure they are also doing it alone.
Formative Assessment:
-Teacher will be walking around throughout the entire lab, making sure students
are answering the questions in their lab packets before they move on to the next
section.
Summative Assessment:
-Analysis questions- In their lab groups, students will answer the analysis
questions in their lab packets. Every student turns a worksheet in.
-If Extra time after lab- Microscope Parts Task Card Record Sheet Activity-
students read task cards and answer the questions on the task card record sheet.
Accommodations:
-Keep instructions and directions ‘chunked’
-Use visual and concrete materials
-Provide extra time for the processing of information.
-Give repetition and clarification regularly.
-Provide close proximity to the teacher.
-Provide time extensions as necessary
- Group- supportive role model and knowledgeable other in each group