Associated Standard and CORE Objective:

• 3000-01 Make observations using the five senses.
  
  

• 30 - Gloves
• 30 - Object bags
• 30 - Goggles   
• 5 - Ear muffs   
• 1 - Shaved ice machine   
• 1 - Microwave
• - Paper cups      
• - Plastic cups      
• - Syrup      
• - Pre-packaged popcorn
  
  

• Ice (3-4 bags)
• 1-4 Adult helpers
  
  

Discuss of the 5 senses: Hearing, Sight, Taste, Touch, and Smell.

Smell: The nose is the organ we use to smell with. The olfactory nerves (smell) are also used to help us taste.

Taste: The tongue is the primary organ used for tasting. The surface of the tongue is covered with taste buds, with the largest concentration at the back of the tongue. These taste buds determine whether a food tastes sweet, sour or salty. Visit web sites on Taste: The Tasting Tongue.

Hearing: The ear is the organ used to hear. We hear because of air particles vibrating from the object to the ear.

Sight or Vision: The eyes coupled with the brain conduct a process that helps us see. The eye takes in the light, and the brain translates what the eye sees.

Touch: Touch happens when our skin comes in contact with objects around us. The feeling that we have is transmitted by nerve endings in the skin, which go to the brain, letting us know that we have come in contact with an object.

Hand out goggles to every student. There are five different vision impairments illustrated with the goggles.

• Cataracts: when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy
• Loss of peripheral vision: no longer able to see to the side
• Tunnel vision: only able to see straight ahead
• Spots in the line of vision
• Loss of front vision: only able to see to the sides.

Ask the students to describe what they see. The students may trade goggles with other students to experience the different types of vision impairments.

Have the students plug their noses. Explain to them that you are going to make popcorn and ask them to tell you what they smell. Verbally tell them how wonderful and appetizing it all smells, that it makes your mouth water.

Ask them if just listening to you talk about it makes them want some, or if they think that they would want it more if they could smell the popcorn popping?

Hand out a sample of popcorn to each student and have them eat some. How does it taste? Tell the students to unplug their noses and smell and eat the popcorn. What differences do they notice about how the popcorn tastes when they plugged their noses, and when they didn't? Did the popcorn taste better without their noses plugged?

Have all of the students turn in their props. Discuss with the students how they felt when they were unable to see, hear, touch, and smell. Help them understand the importance for compassion and understanding for people with disabilities. Explain how, when people have a disability, their other senses sharpen or improve to make-up for the disability.

This is an ideal module to help the children understand that everyone has some sort of disability. Some disabilities are more easily seen, and some are not (unable to see, walk, talk, read). Everyone has the need to be loved and accepted, the need to have friends, the need to be active and do things. When we understand that everyone has some sort of disability, it is easier to be friendly to everyone around us.

This module requires some adult helpers to keep it running smoothly. The snow cone machine is a noisy distraction; snow cones can be made in another room, or a bunch of ice can be processed and kept cold in a fridge until needed. The popcorn machine should be cooled and wiped clean when done. The snow cone machine should be drained of water before storing.

This module could be done with the students at their desks or gathered around a table in the front of the classroom. The ability to easily interact with the students will help keep this module going.

US News and World Report v122, Jan 13 ’97, p.50-6 "The Senses" Talks about the flood of new studies on the senses and discusses how this research has altered the once perceived theories of the senses.

Career Fields:

Science, Technical, Social-Humanitarian

Occupations:

Optometrist: They examine eyes for vision problems, diseases, and other disorders of the eye. They test the eyes for proper depth, color perception, and focus. They prescribe corrective lenses and treatment, as well as supplying the patient with the necessary glasses, contact lenses, and drugs. Education: Bachelor’s Degree and 4-year Professional Degree

Pathologist: Work with people who cannot make speech sounds, or cannot make them clearly. They work with those with speech rhythm and fluency problems, such as stuttering; people with voice quality problems, such as inappropriate pitch or harsh voice; people with problems understanding and producing language; and those with cognitive communication impairments. They diagnose and develop a therapy program for those with the previous problems. Education: Master’s Degree

Psychologist: They study human behavior and mental processes in order to understand, explain, and change peoples’ behavior. They may also study the way a person thinks, feels, and behaves. Research psychologists investigate the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social aspects of human behavior. Applied psychologists counsel and conduct training programs, perform market research, and apply psychological treatments to a variety of medical and surgical conditions.

How it Relates: Psychologists help those with disabilities as well as their families learn to deal with their disabilities. They also help with the emotional problems that can stem from disabilities. Education: Master’s Degree

Social Worker: They counsel and aid individuals and families who require social service assistance. They talk with people to understand their problems and plan ways to help them, as well as helping individuals and families cope with illnesses. They will also advise on child-care and place children in foster homes. They plan activities and services for children, teenagers, adults, and older persons. They also provide information and referral services. Education: Bachelor’s Degree

Special Education Teacher: They teach elementary and secondary students who are physically and educationally handicapped. They may use tools such as sign language and Braille writers. They plan courses, prepare lessons, grade papers, and keep records. Another important aspect is that they encourage and advise students and parents. Education: Bachelor’s Degree

* Taken from Occupational Outlook Handbook 1998-1999.

1. What are our five senses?
2. Does our sense of smell affect our sense of taste?
3. Can our sense of sight also affect our sense of taste?
4. What is the primary organ used for tasting? Where do we have our largest concentration of taste buds?
5. Can our senses sometimes deceive (trick) us?