Sensory Observation in Science

Kindergarten students have been learning about a scientist’s essential tools this month - the five senses! Through research, discussion, and experimentation, Kindergarten scientists have been exploring the variety of information they can glean from sensory observation. Students started by sharing everything they already know about the five senses and discussing how humans adapt when one of their senses is diminished, such as a visually impaired person who learns to read braille. Each student created a self-portrait identifying which part of their body is engaged by each sense. They were also challenged to think about all the different ways that the five senses are used during the winter and each student created a winter poem celebrating the taste of cookies, the feeling of cold air on on their faces, and the smell of hot cocoa.

 

Active exploration and experimentation have been critical aspects of this unit. Kindergarteners used an air popper to make popcorn, noticing how all five senses are engaged in a single activity. When given two identical jars, students methodically explored the contents using all five senses to determine which one was salt and sugar. They were excited to use their five senses to identify the mystery contents of different bags. They shook, smelled, and felt inside each bag to try and identify items, including coins, pom-poms, goldfish crackers, and marbles.

 

Students have also been building foundational research skills as they work in small groups to research one of the five senses. This week, students have been pouring over digital books on their iPads to identify important facts about their topic. For many students, this introduced new vocabulary, such as the group researching sight, which learned some basic information about the parts of the eye. Each group will design the key information they found on a poster board and present a mini-lesson about what they have learned to the rest of the class. Not only is this their first crack at nonfiction research, but Kindergarteners will also start thinking about how they communicate their ideas to an audience with a big headline, clearly stated information, and pictures that support their ideas. The culmination of this unit will take place after spring vacation when students will work in their small groups to design a simple experiment that relies on the sense that they studied!