1. How to Use a Microscope General Procedures
Make sure the floor is clear of all clutter and backpacks.
Always carry your microscope by the arm with one hand supporting the bottom and set the base flat on your desk.
Always start and end with the Scanning Objective.
Always return the microscope to its case the same way you found it. Microscopes should be stored with the Scanning Objective clicked into place.
ELL strategy addition: (by Perez) words like “clutter” maybe problematic
Teacher should demonstrate how to carry and not just give instruction orally or in writing if you have students with very low proficiency in English.

2. Parts of the Microscope7.
Unpack your microscope so you can look at the parts while you perform the activity. Visit this website and write the parts of the microscope in your notebook. For each part, give its function.
Practice naming the parts of the microscope here . 1. 11 2. 8. 3. 9. 4.
10. 5.
11. 6.
12.

3. Magnification
Your microscope has 3 magnifications: Scanning, Low and High. Each objective will have written the magnification. In addition to this, the ocular lens (eyepiece) has a magnification. The total magnification is the ocular x objective
Magnification
Ocular lens
(eyepiece)
Total
Scanning 4x
10x
40x
Low Power
100x
High Power
400x
For English Language Learners: be sure the students know what the words “ocular” & “scanning” mean.
Cognates: magnification, addition, total, objective

4. Focusing Specimens
Always start with the scanning objective. Odds are, you will be able to see something on this setting. Use the Coarse Knob to focus, image may be small at this magnification, but you won't be able to find it on the higher powers without this first step. Do not use stage clips, try moving the slide around until you find something.
Once you've focused on Scanning, switch to Low Power. Use the Coarse Knob to refocus. Again, if you haven't focused on this level, you will not be able to move to the next level.
Now switch to High Power. (If you have a thick slide, or a slide without a cover, do NOT use the high power objective). At this point, ONLY use the Fine Adjustment Knob to focus specimens.
If the specimen is too light or too dark, try adjusting the diaphragm.
If you see a line in your viewing field, try twisting the eyepiece, the line should move. That's because its a pointer, and is useful for pointing out things to your lab partner or teacher.