Magnifier Walk

This is a 15 minute lesson that guides a teacher in how to take first graders on a nature walk using magnifying glasses correctly. Students go on an unstructured exploratory walk in the habitat area while practicing their outdoor etiquette skills. Students use magnifiers to freely observe natural objects they encounter on the walk. This allows students to practice using magnifiers, and to familiarize themselves with the many interesting (and distracting) things in their habitat, prior to more formalized and focused activities.

7i53xi54engow8.pdf

Weblink address (URL):

Standards & Objectives

Learning objectives:

Students will:

familiarize themselves with the use of an important scientific tool.
use words to describe physical characteristics.
practice good outdoor etiquette while exploring a habitat area.

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level:

Understanding

Helpful Hints

Print Materials:

Image: „Stinging Nettle‟ (to identify and mark if present in habitat area)

Kit Materials:

Jeweler‟s loupes („Private Eyes‟), or other magnifiers: 1 per student

Teachers supplied:

Journals

(optional) Feathers, cones, skeletonized leaf, or other natural found objects that

students are less likely to find while staying on the trails.

References

Contributors:

Originator:

Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation

eduToolbox® is a resource-sharing portal developed by the Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation with collaborative support and funding from the Tennessee Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education's Math & Science Partnership program.