Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Biology
Lesson Topic: draw cells from microscope slides and photomicrographs
Learning Objective/s:
  • Identify the main parts of a light microscope and explain their functions.
  • Prepare and label wet‑mount slides of plant and animal cells.
  • Observe cells at appropriate magnifications, record key features, and calculate total magnification.
  • Produce accurate, scaled sketches of observed cells and interpret photomicrographs.
  • Evaluate common sources of error in slide preparation and microscopy and suggest improvements.
Materials Needed:
  • Compound light microscope with LED illumination
  • Prepared glass slides (onion epidermis, cheek cells) and blank slides
  • Cover slips, pipettes, distilled water, immersion oil
  • Microscopy worksheet, sketch paper, and rulers
  • Scale‑bar reference or eyepiece reticle
  • Projector or interactive whiteboard for photomicrograph display
  • Lens‑cleaning paper and microscope cover
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick visual of a striking photomicrograph of onion epidermal cells to spark curiosity. Review prior knowledge of microscope parts and the purpose of wet‑mount slides. Explain that today’s success criteria are: correctly assembling a slide, producing a labelled sketch with a scale bar, and interpreting a digital image.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5') – Students label a diagram of microscope parts on a worksheet.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10') – Overview of wet‑mount preparation, safety, and demonstration.
  3. Practical Part A (15') – Prepare a wet‑mount slide of onion epidermis.
  4. Practical Part B (15') – Observe at low then high power, record magnification and key features.
  5. Sketching session (10') – Produce scaled, labelled sketches with a scale bar.
  6. Photomicrograph analysis (10') – Project a digital image, compare with sketches, discuss artefacts.
  7. Check for understanding (5') – Exit ticket with one calculation and one interpretation question.
Conclusion:
Summarise how accurate slide preparation, proper magnification, and clear sketching lead to reliable interpretation of photomicrographs. Students complete an exit ticket summarising one key observation and one improvement for future slides. For homework, they locate a published photomicrograph online, calculate its scale, and write a brief description of the observed cell structures.