Provide the students with a hand lens and a number of objects that can easily be compared both magnified and un-magnified. Hold the lens close to the object and then further away. Have them examine the text on the page of a book. First hold the lens close to the text and then have them pull further away. Point out how the text and lines look smooth without the lens, but look jagged when examined closely. Have them draw lines on the graph paper next to where the lines seem to be inside the magnifying glass and then compare the two.
Allow the students to look for small items during a walk. Before going outside, have each student cut a 4-foot piece of string. The tools they will use are a hand lens, a pencil, a workbook, a penny and the string. Have the kids pick a spot on the ground and place the string in a square. They will look at everything inside the square. Instruct the students to draw all the objects they see smaller than the penny. Demonstrate how to use the hand lens. On returning to the classroom, assign them partners and let them discuss what they drew.
Instead of drawing the objects, have the children describe what they have seen. They should talk about whether the item is living and describe the color and shape. Also have them write down questions they have about each item. After the trip outside, have them each pick one item they found, and look up information on the item for the next class.
Give the students two lima beans and a hand lens. Have them draw the exterior of the lima bean while looking through the lens. After they have finished their drawing, have them put the seeds into a small plastic cup half-filled with water. Ask the students to predict what will happen to the seeds overnight. The next day, instruct them to pour out the water and examine the seed again. Revisit their predictions and discuss any surprises. Show the students how to remove the seed coat, and then split the seed in half and study the inside of the seed through the hand lens. Tell the students to wrap both seeds in a damp paper towel, and put them into plastic bags. Examine the seeds every day for a week, recording their observations and then discuss it.