Observation and the Senses
Subject: Science
Grades: K-2 (Ages 5-8)
Standards - Science
- Makes observations by using the senses
- Records information and observations about the world
Standards - Thinking Skills
- Supports and logically defends decisions
Teacher Instructions
Students use their senses to observe the world around them. Observation skills are important in all aspects of learning. This Kidspiration® lesson helps students identify objects that can be observed with each of their five senses. Students then write a sentence to support their choice of object for each sense.
- Open Senses.kia from Kidspiration Starter>Activities>Science and discuss each of the five senses.
- Explain that we use our senses to make observations. Ask students to think about what they observe with each sense.
- Show students how to browse the Symbol libraries to find a picture that represents something that can be observed with a sense. Drag a symbol into the appropriate
sense box.
- Demonstrate how to switch to Writing View and write one or two details to describe the observation. Open Kidspiration Using the Senses exemplar.kid to view an example.
- After guided practice, ask students to complete the activity independently.
Assessment
- Observe each student’s work for accuracy as they fill in examples for each sense.
- Determine that the activity has been completed correctly.
Lesson Adaptations
- Students can draw pictures with the Symbol Maker to add new symbols to complete the activity.
- More than three symbols can be selected from the Symbol libraries for each sense.
- Depending on writing skill level, students may complete the Writing View portion of this activity together in small groups or as a large class group.
- The activity may be used with real objects. Students can observe and list each object by name in the diagram or use the Symbol Maker to draw each object observed.
