Those looking for guidance as to how to get their money's worth out of that quality microscope they've purchased would do well to get Microscope Adventure by Kym Wright. This 90+ page book begins by offering tips on finding quality microscopes at great prices (if you haven't already bought one). Then it walks students through microscope activities beginning with set-up, clean up, and proper use, continuing through activities with easily accessible items like fibers, dust, crystals, bubbles, cells, plants, seeds, mold, cork, muscle cells, and insect parts.
Lessons usually direct students to read about the topic in another resource then pose a series of questions. Lab activity sheets accompany each lesson--sometimes more than one per lesson. These sheets give step-by-step instructions with questions to focus student attention. Simple check-off boxes and lines for brief answers make it easy for students to respond. Students are also frequently required to draw illustrations of their observations. Children as young as fourth grade should be able to complete these activities, but the activities also comprise an excellent and substantive part of a high school level biology lab. Lesson plan pages in the back of the book will be valuable help in preparation. Lab sheets and lesson plans are reproducible for a single family, or you can purchase extra sets.
