Provide A Sherlock Holmes Magnifying Glass To Introduce A Student To Discovery

By Julie Manther

If you want a quick way to get a child's attention, show them the many things that can be discovered with a Sherlock Holmes magnifying glass. You can purchase these magnifying glasses in drug stores, educational supply houses or on line.

You are probably familiar with the Sherlock Holmes magnifying glass. It has a plastic handle and a metal band attached to the metal band which encircles the lens. The lens is ground in such a way as to make everything look larger when held at the proper distance. While Mr. Holmes used his glass to discover clues to solve mysteries, your child can use a glass to discover clues about the world around him.

One precaution you should know about any magnifying glass is that they can focus the rays of the sun in such a way as to start a fire. Children should be closely supervised when they are using a magnifying glass and the glass should not be left in direct sunlight.

Many children have been entertained for hours watching the activities of an ant hill with a magnifying glass. The lens allows them to see the ants working in community to gather necessary food. With the magnifying glass the child can clearly see the legs, head, abdomen and thorax of each ant. In addition, the bits of food that are being brought to the ant hill become visible.

Show your child how to look at the rocks that are found in your yard. The child may discover the grains of sand that make up sand stone or the nature of crushed limestone. Granite has other grain patterns that the child can see.

On a cold and rainy day your child can bring the magnifying glass into the kitchen and discover some of the ingredients with which to cook. Use construction paper for color contrast and sprinkle about one-quarter teaspoon of salt, sugar, black pepper and other spices onto the paper. Allow the child to view these ingredients with the magnifying glass to see what he can discover.

Back in his own room the glass can help the child as he explores his carpet, clothing and toys. There are many things to discover using the magnifying glass almost anywhere the child is allowed to take it.

Children who collect coins or stamps can use the magnifying glass to examine the very fine detail that printers and minters use in producing the items that the child collects. - 30224

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