Turn to the directions for Part 2 and prepare the skin cell slide. Set it to the side and continue with Part 1. You will return to the skin cell slide after you complete Part 1. Before you begin, make sure your slide and cover slip are clean. Check that there are no fingerprints on them. If they are dirty, wash and dry them carefully. Get materials from your teacher. Place a small drop of methylene blue stain on your slide. Gently scrape the inside of your cheek with the flat side of the toothpick. Scrape gently! Stir the end of the toothpick into the stain, and throw the toothpick away. Place one edge of the cover slip at the edge of the stain at a 45° angle. Gently lower it onto the slide. If there are any air bubbles, no matter how small, wash your slide and make a new one. It is important that you have a good slide. Begin viewing your slide with the lowest power objective on your microscope. It is important to eliminate blurriness now so that it will be easier to focus as you increase the power. Draw what you see using each of the objectives on your microscope. Be sure to label the power of the objective you are using under each drawing.