It is time to start using the microscope. Focusing a microscope is the single most important skill that you can obtain. This skill allows the user to clearly see objects put under the objective.
In order not to break our expensive microscopes, a specific protocol must be followed to focus in on objects. Print out the "Focusing the Microscope Lab" worksheet. In this lab, you will focus premade slides at different powers.
The "Letter e" lab will take you through the steps to make a wet slide and demonstrates how a microscope works. The teacher will give instructions prior to the lab for focusing the microscope. You may also read ahead to learn how to focus the microscope. This site on "Critical Focusing" is a good place to start as well as half way down on this page, where it reads, "Finding and Focusing on Microscopic Objects" will help everyone become an expert at focusing.
"The Face" lab incorporates skills learning in the prior lab and demonstrates the importance of a microscope.
Measuring the size of a microscopic object is quite easy. This "Estimating on low power" lab will take you through the steps to measure microscopic objects on low power.
A very important skill in the lab is learning to prepare slides using staining techniques. In the cheek cell lab you will make and stain your own body cells. Download and print out the cheek cell lab.