Exploring our Senses

Each of our senses uses its own detection system to get information from our surroundings. The information is sent to the brain where it will be processed and combined to create a complete sensory picture of our environment.

1. Sight: light and color is detected by cells in the retina at the back of the eye.

2. Sound: hair cells in the ear move in response to specific frequencies of sound.

3. Taste: taste buds on the tongue react to salt, sour, bitter, sweet and umami tastes in our food.

4. Smell: special cells in the nose detect different chemicals in the air that we breathe in. We also detect the flavors in food as air moves from our mouth up into the back of the nasal cavity.

5. Touch: various receptors in our skin can detect different types of touch, including pressure and vibrations.

This activity will help you better understand your senses

Pass out the worksheets and divide the class into groups of 3. Stagger the class so they start at a box and then move to a workstation to record their observations while the next group is at the box. 

After the whole group has had a chance to touch and smell what is in the box, they should move to a workstation and complete the section of the worksheet that is for that box. Encourage students to work quietly so no one else can hear their comments.

After all the groups have had a chance to experience each box, come back together as a class. Review the worksheet and talk about the activity.

Students use their senses of touch, smell, sight, and hearing. We will be excluding taste. Students will be broken into three teams. One at a time each student will come to the front of the room to a closed-off box with two holes to place their hands in and a vent like structure to use to smell. Each student will have at most 20 seconds to touch, hear, and/or smell the object. 

I will teach the five senses: sight, touch, taste, hearing, and smell. Explain that today the students are going to have to use three of those senses, touch, smell, and hearing to try to identify some items you have placed in the boxes. Example of the worksheet below,

Box #1  

1. The object felt _______________ _______________ _______________

2. The object smelled _______________ _______________ _______________

3. The object sounded  _______________     ________________ _______________

3. I think the object is a _______________

Students will describing the object using three words and then making a discussion on what they think it is. Students will share with the class what they think the object is and why they think. I will then at the end show what each item was. Students will be graded on completing the worksheet and participation of the activity. 

Your senses work together to let your brain know what is going on around you. They help to keep you safe by warning you of any danger. Now that you know all about the five senses which one is your favorite and why? 

Thank you to my college professor for teaching me about Webquest. All my information about senses was found at:

http://microbemagic.ucc.ie/explore_body/five_senses.html#:~:text=You%20have%205%20senses%20%E2%80%93%20sight,%2C%20sound%2C%20taste%20and%20touch.&text=You%20use%20at%20least%20one,warning%20you%20of%20any%20danger. 

This was designed for students to be able to understand the importance of our five senses. In order to better understand our bodies we need to learn about our senses and know why they are important.