Hi all! I am getting ready to teach a lesson on sensory details to my third graders and I'm having some trouble coming up with what I can do to have them tune into all of their senses. I plan on using a mystery box for touch and have them reach in and feel an item and decribe what they are feeling. What can I do for sight, taste, hearing, and smell? Any input would be greatly appreciated!
I teach 5/6 year olds and like you I have the sensory box. I also use blindfolds (the sleeping masks that are free from airlines on long haul journeys) and ask the children to do an activity blindfolded (p;ay with blocks and build a tower, they have to use their hands (sense of touch) for 'seeing'. I have various things for them to taste - salt, lemon juice, sour candy, salt and vinegar potato chips, icing sugar, etc. For smell, I use toothpaste, perfume, etc on cotton wool balls.
For sound...i used to have a cassette tape that was a game of identifying sounds. I don't remember where I got it, (or where it went ;-)) but it was always a lot of fun (and the kids were usually sooooo quiet when they were listening!)
For any of these, after the exploration activity, have the class brainstorm words that describe each sensory experience. Tast=sweet, sugary, spicey, hot, etc. Hearing=booming, rustle, whisper, buzz and so on.
I love the sensory box idea. That should be lots of fun. For sight, have them hold up two toilet paper rolls as binoculars and focus in on one spot at a time. They can work in teams with one person viewing, the other one writing what the partner sees.
http://bcmnc.blount.k12.al.us/five_senses_links.htm There's several links on my site. My link was giving me trouble, but maybe you can get it to pull up.
