Core Skills Analysis
Art
The student represented the senses activity by recording experiences with descriptive words or pictures, which showed an understanding that visual art can communicate observations and ideas. They likely chose colors, shapes, or simple drawings to match what they felt, smelled, heard, or tasted, turning an abstract science experience into an expressive visual response. This kind of work helped a 7-year-old practice careful observation, symbol-to-meaning connections, and personal expression. It also showed that art can be used as a way to document learning and share what happened during hands-on exploration.
English
The student used descriptive vocabulary to explain the touch, smell, hearing, and taste tests, which built oral language and speaking skills. They also recorded experiences with words or pictures, showing early reading and writing development through labeling, sentence building, and representing ideas clearly. By discussing their results with peers, they practiced listening, turn-taking, and using specific language to compare sensory experiences. This activity helped a 7-year-old connect new science words to everyday communication and strengthen vocabulary in a meaningful context.
Science
The student learned that the human body has five senses and identified the parts of the body linked to each one, including ears for hearing, eyes for seeing, skin for touch, tongue for taste, and nose for smell. They tested how each sense helped the brain gather information by listening to hidden sounds, feeling hidden objects in a basket, smelling without seeing, and tasting foods in a blind taste test. They noticed that when one sense was used alone, it changed how they identified objects and foods, which helped them understand how the senses work together. This gave a 7-year-old direct experience with observation, classification, and the idea that the brain receives messages from the senses.
Tips
To extend this learning, invite the student to create a simple five-senses chart with drawings, labels, or matching words for each body part and its job. You could also repeat one of the tests with different materials and ask the child to predict, then compare results, helping them notice patterns and use scientific language. Another strong follow-up would be a sensory walk around the home or outdoors where the student records one thing they saw, heard, smelled, felt, and maybe tasted, building awareness of everyday observation. For art and language growth, have the child make a five-senses book with one page per sense, including a picture, a sentence, and a favorite memory from the activity.
Book Recommendations
- My Five Senses by Aliki: A simple picture book that introduces the five senses in a clear, child-friendly way.
- The Five Senses by Nurit Karlin: An engaging nonfiction book that helps young children connect each sense to real-life experiences.
- The Listening Walk by Paul Showers: A story that encourages children to notice sounds and practice careful listening.
Learning Standards
- Kindergarten–Grade 3 Science: The student investigated the five senses and how body parts help gather information, matching BC learning about the human body, sensory experiences, and observing the world.
- Kindergarten–Grade 3 English Language Arts: The student used descriptive vocabulary, shared ideas with peers, and recorded learning with words or pictures, supporting oral language, comprehension, and communicating meaning.
- Kindergarten–Grade 3 Visual Arts: The student expressed understanding through pictures and visual recording, connecting observation with visual representation and personal expression.
- Core Competencies: The activity supported communication, critical thinking, and personal awareness as the student compared sensory experiences and explained what changed when one sense was isolated.
Try This Next
- Five Senses sorting worksheet: match each sense to the correct body part and example
- Observation prompt: "Which sense helped you guess the object best? Explain why."
- Draw-and-label task: illustrate one blind taste, smell, or touch test result
- Mini-quiz: name one job for each of the five senses