Young students notice details, but may not be so eager to draw or sketch them. Their work can be made easier by using a hand lens to observe, then telling a partner what they will include in their sketch. The partner can then provide feedback to assure the student that they included the details. They can then switch tasks.

S. Campos, Teacher

Houston, TX

Here’s an idea…
How can you make the most of students’ microscope use in the classroom?  Choose the right tool for the job!  Compound microscopes are used to see a two-dimensional view of cell structures and other small particles.  They are best used with slides either made in class or professionally prepared. Stereo microscopes provide the best results when students need to observe three-dimensional objects, such as a pond sample in a petri dish.

Here’s an idea…
When weighing your decision on which balance is best for your classroom, knowing the goal of the lesson will provide your answer.  What capacity and readability will fit your students’ needs?  Capacity is the maximum mass a balance can measure. Readability is the smallest difference in mass that will be displayed on the balance.  If students are comparing objects, a two-pan balance is the best option.  But if precise measurement is the focus of your lesson, then an electronic balance will provide the most accurate reading.

Here’s an idea…
Changes in states of matter are everyday occurrences.  Butter melts on hot popcorn, candle wax hardens as it cools, puddles disappear in the sunshine. These are easy ways to show your students how solids can change to liquids, liquids to solids, and liquids to gases.  Let them investigate the properties of each state, and get hands on with science!

Here’s an idea…
Science Notebooks are a key communication tool for students in the lab.  Recording observations,  organizing and displaying data, and formulating questions make the lab experience meaningful for students and provide assessment tools for the teacher.