Eileen Smith

March 31, 2015

The University of Scranton
Prof. Pesaventos

Subject Area
Essential Question(s)
Title of the Unit
Title of the Lesson
Grade Level
Estimated Time
Summary of the

Science
Science: What are senses and other tools?
Senses
Exploring with senses
1st grade
35 minutes
In this lesson, students will learn about the five senses,

Lesson
Materials Required

the importance of senses, and how they are used.

Box, shell, pinecone, car, feather, handouts, YouTube
video

Academic Standards

S.K-2.A.1.1.1: Identify a scientific fact as something

that can be observed using the five senses.

S.K-2.A.2.2.1: Identify simple tools that can be used in

an investigation (e.g., measuring cup, hand lens, ruler,
balance scale, thermometer).
Objectives/Webbs DOK
SWBAT:
Identify the five senses and the body part associated with each sense
Explain how the five senses help us learn
Use the five senses to observe
Identify tools used in scientific investigations
Describe how tools are used to conduct investigations
Vocabulary
Senses, science tools
Procedure
Before:
Engage: Teacher will show a video about the five
senses. After the video, teacher will begin the lesson

by helping students to answer the question what sense

is this child trying not to use? With an emphasis on
the world not in the question, students will be asked
to respond to the question regarding the boy in the
picture. Teacher will ask students if they enjoy the
smell of cooking fish or sweaty sneakers? What would
they do if those smells were nearby? How is that
reaction like what the boy is doing to avoid the sock?
Have children describe what the boy in the picture is
doing.
During:
Explain: Read the heading aloud to the children (page
4 of text). Teacher will read the passage aloud as
students follow along. Teacher will ask students what
the word senses means, to ensure comprehension.
Teacher will draw a word web on the board, and direct
to draw their own. Each bubble will represent each of
the five senses. As teacher reads each blurb, students
will be directed to point to the part of their bodies that
corresponds with the senses (ex. point to ear when
explaining hearing). Teacher will ask a series of
questions related to the pictures in the text. After
turning the page, teacher will review the next page.

Teacher will pass around an object to the class, and ask

a series of questions about its texture and the way it
feels, as well as what sense was used to determine that
response. Teacher will write the words loud, soft,
noisy, and quiet on the board and ask what they
describe.
Teacher will lead a picture walk to preview the images.
Students will be asked to identify any of the pictures
science tools they already know and tell what they
know about how the tools are used. Discuss how they
think these tools might help them observe and learn
more. Teacher will explain what a science tool is by
reading the passage to students. Each science tool will
be explained to students.
Teacher will read the passage, Measuring Up. Teacher
will explain that if you measure an object with two
different sized measuring tools, the results will differ.
Teacher will explain that a ruler or measuring tapes are
the standard tools for measuring accurately. Students
will complete the activity Do the Math! using different
objects as measuring tools in partners. Teacher will
review students responses.
After:

Extend/Evaluate: Students will complete the Sum It

Up worksheet (Choose it! Circle it! Match it!) after
teacher explains the directions for each. After
reviewing the worksheet, students will complete the
Brain Check worksheet. On the Apply Concepts
page, teacher will ask students to identify each of the
objects in the pictures. Teacher will work with students
to complete the matching activity, by reading along
with students as they match.
To close the lesson, students will participate in an
activity using the senses box. In the box will be a
series of objects. The students will be asked to identify
Assessment

the objects using only their sense of touch.

Teacher will assess students by asking questions
throughout the lesson. By asking about what students
know about the senses periodically, the teacher can get
a better understanding of what needs to be worked on.
As the students are working with a partner, teacher can
approach them and check to see if they are answering
correctly and as a team. When doing the matching
activity, the teacher is also assessing the students
understanding of science tools as related to the senses.