Sense Detectives Objectives Guide
Science Curriculum Framework • Grades K–2 • Life Science / Human Body
Sense Detectives: Goals & Learning Objectives
NGSS: K-LS1-1, 1-LS1-1
Overarching Science Goal
Students will investigate and understand how animals and humans utilize their five sensory organs to gather environmental data, make decisions, ensure safety, and interact with the physical world.
Essential Questions
How do my senses help me explore and stay safe? What happens when we use more than one sense at a time to solve scientific mysteries?
Specific Learning Objectives by Sensory Domain
1. Visual System (Sight • Eyes) Light & Observation
Objective: Students will observe, compare, and classify objects using visual properties (color, shape, size, pattern) and demonstrate how light is necessary for eyes to perceive surroundings.
2. Auditory System (Hearing • Ears) Sound & Vibration
Objective: Students will differentiate sounds by pitch (high/low), volume (loud/soft), and direction, and infer that sound is created by vibrating matter collected by the outer ear.
3. Tactile System (Touch • Skin) Texture & Temperature
Objective: Students will examine and communicate tactile data using descriptive properties (smooth, rough, bumpy, warm, cold, firm) and explain how skin acts as a protective sensory layer across the body.
4. Olfactory System (Smell • Nose) Chemical Signals & Safety
Objective: Students will detect, identify, and categorize aromas (fruity, floral, pungent, smoky) and analyze how the sense of smell provides early warnings of danger (smoke, spoiled food).
5. Gustatory System (Taste • Tongue) Taste Buds & Flavor
Objective: Students will classify edible items into primary taste profiles (sweet, salty, sour, bitter) and discover that flavor perception relies on the partnership between taste buds and smell.
Cognitive Depth (Bloom's / Webb's DOK Framework)
Level 1: Recall & Identify
- Name the 5 sensory organs.
- Match body parts to sense functions.
- Recall safety rules for taste and smell.
Level 2: Skill & Concept
- Sort items by texture and sound.
- Compare items using two senses.
- Record observations on graphic charts.
Level 3: Strategic Thinking
- Deduce hidden items using clues.
- Explain how senses prevent injury.
- Hypothesize taste loss during colds.
Curriculum Standards & Instructional Planning Guide Page 1 of 2
Implementation & Mastery Guide
Learning Progression, "I Can" Statements & Assessment
Curriculum Matrix
Developmental Grade-Band Progression
| Grade Band | Core Target Competencies | Targeted Vocabulary |
|---|
| Kindergarten | Identify 5 senses and primary body parts; explore items with guidance; sort objects by single noticeable sensory traits. | eyes, ears, skin, nose, tongue, soft, loud |
| Grade 1 | Connect sense organs directly to environmental warnings and survival; compare objects using paired senses; gather simple chart data. | vibration, texture, aroma, warning, signal |
| Grade 2 | Investigate sensory interactions (taste + smell); compare human sensory abilities with animal adaptations; explain sensory aid tools. | sensory organ, perceive, adaptation, magnify |
Student-Facing "I Can" Learning Statements
Sight:
"I can use my eyes to name colors, shapes, patterns, and sizes in the classroom."
Hearing:
"I can listen carefully to tell if a sound is loud or soft, high or low, near or far."
Touch:
"I can describe how objects feel with my hands and skin using scientific words."
Smell:
"I can safely waft to recognize different scents and explain which smells warn us."
Taste:
"I can group foods into sweet, salty, sour, or bitter and follow tasting rules."
Integration:
"I can combine clues from two or more senses to solve an unknown mystery object."
Essential Inquiry Practices & Sensory Safety Rules
The "No-Taste" Rule Never put science materials or unapproved substances in your mouth. Only sample when directed by the teacher.
The Wafting Technique Gently wave air toward your nose with a cupped hand rather than placing containers directly beneath the nostrils.
Gentle Contact Handle tactile investigation items cautiously to avoid sharp edges, rough splinters, or excessive temperatures.
Assessment Evidence & Mastery Indicators
Diagnostic / Formative
Body part pointing checks, sensory mystery bag touch-tests, thumbs-up sound discrimination signals during group read-alouds.
Performance Tasks
"Sensory Detective Notebook" where students log 3 observations for each sense using sketches, vocabulary labels, and tallies.
Summative Benchmark
Student accurately matches all 5 senses to their organs and explains in complete sentences how at least two senses protect us from danger.
Curriculum Standards & Instructional Planning Guide Page 2 of 2
