Split the class into small groups. Ask the students what we use our eyes for and have students list things we can see such as color, light, movement or shadows. Give each group an optical illusion or hidden picture and ask them to discuss what they see. Ask the groups to share their findings with the whole class. Discuss how our eyes can help us learn new things, such as watching the teacher write on the board or demonstrate a lesson.
Ask the class what we use our ears for an generate a list of sounds such as whispers, barking dogs, thunder and bells. While the students close their eyes, make a variety of noises using an instruments (whistle), electronics (pencil sharpener), or movements (clapping). Use sound recordings if you prefer. Pause after each sound and allow the students to guess what they heard. Discuss ways in which our ears can help us learn through music, speaking and danger warnings, for example.
Tell students that we use our hands, feet and skin - specifically nerve endings - to feel things. Place textured objects in paper bags and allow students in each group to feel the mystery objects. Use distinctly different textures such as sand paper, cotton balls, fabric swatches, or clay. You can also use objects with different shapes, such as apples, dice, pencils or erasers. Tell students to use adjectives to describe how the objects feel, such as bumpy, smooth or mushy. Talk about how our ability to feel helps us learn about things, like knowing when things are wet or dry, hot or cold, sharp or soft.
Explain that we use our tongues to taste. Generate a list of tastes such as chocolate, peaches or cough medicine. Place a paper towel on each child's desk. Ask the students to close their eyes and place a small piece of food on each paper towel and have the students take a bite. Tell them to describe the taste using sweet, salty, bitter or sour. Invite them to guess at what they are eating. Try several types of food with different tastes. Send home a permission slip before doing this activity since some children may have allergies.
Tell the students that we use our nose to smell. Generate a list of scents. Give each group of students prepared boxes of mystery scents, one scent per box. Number and poke holes in the tops of the boxes prior to the activity and fill them with strong-smelling scents such as spices or potent foods. Make a list of corresponding numbers and scents so that you know what is in each box, but do not show the students. Ask them to smell and guess. Be sure to send a permission slip ahead of time in case of allergies. Discuss how scent helps us know when food is spoiled, when fumes are leaking or when something is burning.
Split the class into groups and give each group a series of four objects. Choose objects that are safe to handle and age-appropriate with distinct colors, shapes, textures, and scents. Find some objects that make a noise when shaken rubbed or dropped. Avoid using taste for this activity. Select objects such as flowers, bean bags, playdough, oranges, scented candles, or bristle brushes.
Ask the students to observe each object using their senses. Hand each student a pre-printed chart. The chart should have five rows and five columns. Leave the first box in the first row blank and list sight, sound, touch, and smell in the rest of the boxes of the top row. Beginning in the second box of the first column, list the names of the four objects in the boxes going down. Tell students to observe the objects using their senses and write descriptions on their charts in the appropriate boxes.
Gather the class as a whole group and ask students to share their observations. Create a large class chart and have students from each group come up and write some their observations for each object. Conduct a final conversation on how we can use our senses to learn new things in the future.