The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

My 5 Senses in the Garden

My 5 Senses in the Garden

A Kindergarten STEM Lesson

Lyndi Ramos

May 2023

Notes for teachers

This lesson can be split into two parts depending on the class size, support or length taken.

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The nature walk could be completed during a separate day/time.

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This could also be done with indoor plants if outside isn’t an option.

List of Materials

• Science Journals/Bubble Maps
• Outdoor Plants
• Outdoor Garden area or area with plants to observe.
• “What do you Sense in the Garden” book
• Crayon/Pencils/Markers
• Clipboards
• Five Senses Nature Walk Worksheet

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Science Standards

K.L1U1.6: Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about how organisms use different body parts for survival.

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K.P2U2.2: Design and evaluate a tool that helps extend their senses.

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K.L1U1.7: Observe, ask questions, and explain how specialized structures found on a variety of plants and animals (including humans) help them sense and respond to their environment.

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Objective(s):

Students will explore how they can observe a garden/plants by using their 5 senses. Students will be able to identify what senses might be helpful in a garden/plant area.

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Agenda (45 minutes)

Ask the students to join you on the carpet to read the book “What Do You Sense in the Garden”.

Ask students to return to their seats and hand out a thought bubble map.

Ask students to think about and write what senses they might use when observing a garden/plants.

Share some of the ideas on a thought bubble on the board for all students to see.

Have students come back to the carpet and present them pictures and ask them what senses they might for things in the pictures.

Have students get a clipboard and a give them a writing tool (Any)

Go on a nature walk outside allowing for students to explore all senses, recording them as they discover them.

Encourage students to write words or draw pictures.

Intro

Present the question: “What are some ways that we might be able to use our 5 senses in the garden?”

Read this book to the students.

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

• Hand out the Bubble Maps to students and ask them to put the word garden in the middle.
• Remind them about parts of the book.
• Ask them to put different things in a garden they might use their senses for.
• Project a blank one on the board.
• After walking around and students have at least two bubbles completed begin to fill the one on the board with ideas.
• Encourage students to continue to fill their bubbles in.
• Students will now transition back to the carpet.

Hands-on Activity Instructions

• Students are now at the carpet or they could stay at their seats.
• Project this or other garden images.
• Ask students to talk about what senses they might use and for what thing in the picture.
• If you have the option, use a editing tool or make a list on the board as students tell you.

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

• Students are now at the carpet or they could stay at their seats.
• Project this or other garden images.
• Ask students to talk about what senses they might use and for what thing in the picture.
• If you have the option, use a editing tool or make a list on the board as students tell you.

Hands-on Activity Instructions

• Students are now at the carpet or they could stay at their seats.
• Project this or other garden images.
• Ask students to talk about what senses they might use and for what thing in the picture.
• If you have the option, use a editing tool or make a list on the board as students tell you.

Hands-on Activity Instructions

• Students will go outside to a garden or area with some plant/landscape diversity.
• The teacher will begin by asking them to find things in each area of the senses.
• This can be done with students in small groups of 3-4 or students can stay in a large group or line together. This is teacher preference.
• Students can write words or draw pictures.

Assessment

• Students have returned from their walk.
• Hand out this print out and have students complete it by circling what items match what sense.

Differentiation

• Students can draw pictures instead of words.
• Students can use any writing or drawing tool to complete these tasks.
• The teacher can choose to do the assessment as a class to check for understanding by projecting it on the board and asking students to stand or give a thumbs up for each area.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

• Students can further engage in sensory boxes from the garden areas.
• Students can make a art project about one of the senses they think is the most important in the garden.