workingmom Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 Ds who'll be in 5th next year really wants to study with a microscope. So we're buying a decent one in a few months and I need a really well written biology/microscope centered curriculum. It can be pre-prepared slides but I want some text to go with it. Maybe having ds move the slide around to locate various things or examine and question about details of structures. Suggestions please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freerange Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 :lurk5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
workingmom Posted January 24, 2011 Author Share Posted January 24, 2011 any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 This is a good book that we've used: http://www.overstock.com/Books-Movies-Music-Games/The-Usborne-Complete-Book-of-the-Microscope-Paperback/2205475/product.html We duplicate slides of some of the things they look at up close in the book and look for ourselves. This is the newer, internet linked version of the book. Or I actually have this version: http://www.amazon.com/Usborne-Complete-Book-Microscope-Books/dp/0746031068 I feel sure content is similar save for the internet links.... We have a microscope kit from Carolina Biological that I got years ago. It teaches how to use the microscope using various exercises. This kit looks different, but purports to be the same sort of thing: http://www.carolina.com/product/getting+to+know+your+microscope+set.do?keyword=how+to+use+a+microscope&sortby=bestMatches Here's a beginners' zoology set they carry: http://www.carolina.com/product/beginner%27s+zoology+microscope+slide+set.do?keyword=how+to+use+a+microscope&sortby=bestMatches Or here's a more basic biology kit that covers all 5 kingdoms (there are actually more than 5 now): http://www.carolina.com/product/basic+biology+microscope+slide+set.do?keyword=how+to+use+a+microscope&sortby=bestMatches Home Science Tools actually has better prices for homeschoolers: http://www.hometrainingtools.com/search.asp?ss=microscope+kits&x=33&y=15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blakereese Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 I have the Usborne book mentioned in the previous thread. I think that would be a good place to start. Your library may have it, mine did. :) It's a nice introductory type of book. There's some history of the microscope kind of info, as well as how to care for a microscope and other items you will need. And then there are chapters on various items to explore and learn about...cells, bacteria, plants, fibers and fabrics, paper....etc. It is a pretty thorough intro, IMO. You could use it as a jumping off point and go deeper from there. I would also recommend hometrainingtools for buying any supplies you need. I bought some inexpensive slide sets, both prepared and plain glass. HTH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
workingmom Posted January 24, 2011 Author Share Posted January 24, 2011 thank you both, i want to make a year or atleast half a year course out of it. I know most will be bio but hoping to get some other ideas also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 For an introduction to microscopes, we used the GEMS teacher's guide Microscopic Investigations. It begins with putting basic kitchen ingredients onto slides and drawing pictures of what you see, comparing them, etc. The end is a "mystery" substance that requires the kid to draw on what he's learned previously to identify it. This is obviously not a curriculum, but it's a nice, open-ended introductory exploration and set of guided observations. http://www.lawrencehallofscience.org/GEMS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cschnee Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 (edited) GEMS has a nice microscope study. oops, KarenAnne's response wasn't there when I posted, I'm sure of it! :-) Edited January 24, 2011 by cschnee adding Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcskipper Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 My daughter is in 5th grade this year and we will be starting ClassiQuest Biology. It looks great, but I can't comment more thoroughly since we're just starting it now. It uses a quite sophisticated (and spendy :) microscope. Tara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalmia Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 I love Richard Headstrom's Adventures with a Microscope. Dover Books. Probably out of print, you'll have to get it used. It's written in a delightful tone and directly to the student. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helena Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 Not sure if this would work, but this is what we're using: http://www.rainbowresource.com/prodlist.php?sid=1296154381-1790346&subject=11&category=3308 After this we'll do the botany unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samba Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 Helena, Sorry to hijack...I've asked about the Kym Wright microscope study before...what kind of microscope would I need for this? I have a Brock Magiscope. The RR sample page talks about top lighting...that makes me think my microscope won't fit the bill. I keep holding off on purchasing for this reason. Thanks, Carolyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helena Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 Helena,Sorry to hijack...I've asked about the Kym Wright microscope study before...what kind of microscope would I need for this? I have a Brock Magiscope. The RR sample page talks about top lighting...that makes me think my microscope won't fit the bill. I keep holding off on purchasing for this reason. Thanks, Carolyn This is the microscope we're using: http://www.hometrainingtools.com/kids-led-cordless-microscope/p/MI-1000LED/ It's different than the one they shown in the workbook. But for the most part it's no biggie. Labeling parts of the microscope was different than some of the parts we have on ours. We labeled the workbook according to the their photo, then I made a giant version of ours on a cork board and labeled that accordingly. We've definitely learned about different types of microscopes. Our microscope lights from the bottom, it hasn't been a problem at all. You do need to be able to switch to different objective lenses for many of the labs.. and, looking at the Brock I'm not sure if you can do that? You learn about the diaphragm, and some other things that may not be on your microscope. Having said that, I think it's no problem to keep it flexible and work around the differences. Most of the program is looking and recording, wet mount/dry mount etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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