BACKGROUND:
The senses are part
of the nervous system. Touch, smell, sound, sight, and taste are
all controlled by the brain. If the information cannot get to the
brain through the nervous system, there is something wrong with the network
of nerves.
Senses are very important to
science. They help a person investigate. Chemicals are sometimes
invisible and we need to use our smell to detect them. Sight helps
us many times, but children don’t realize that the other senses are also
very important. An object can look “cold” but when you touch it,
the object is really “hot.”
PROCEDURE:
- There are many
books on senses. You probably have a favorite one or your library
may have one that explains senses in a clear and enjoyable manner.
Go over the vocabulary words. Have the students repeat the words
several times. Make sure they know what part of the body is responsible
for the senses. The recommended book clearly summarizes all of the
senses.
- There are some senses
that are organs or specific body part. For example, ears hear
sound, eyes can see, a nose smells, and a tongue can taste. Touch,
however, is a very large organ called the skin. Explain to your students
that there are sensitive parts of the skin. Your fingertips, for
example, are more sensitive than skin on your leg. Ask your students
how they sense things.
The brain however, is the main
organ that regulates and allows our body to interpret all these senses.
If the brain is damaged, it can affect parts of the body that are
far from the brain.
- As you discuss each
part of the body, have your students observe each part. Let the students
look into each other's eyes. Ask them to describe what they see.
They will come up with a list of "discoveries" because although we all
have eyes, we rarely try to describe them. Ask the same questions
for the other parts of the senses including skin, tongue, nose, and ears.
Emphasize that these senses help us discover and describe the world around
us.
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