Senses Intro Slides Body Signals Lab
The Sensory Lab
Decoding the signals your body sends to your brain.
See
Hear
Feel
Engine Fuel
"If your brain was an engine, what kind of fuel makes it run smoothly—quiet time or loud music?"
Quiet Power
Sound Energy
8 Systems of Sensing
Visual
Auditory
Tactile
Gustatory
Olfactory
Vestibular
Balance & Motion
Proprioception
Body Position
Interoception
Inside Signals
Vestibular
"Where is my head in space?"
LAB NOTE 01
This system tells your brain if you are moving, spinning, or upside down. It helps you keep your balance!
Signals:
Tipping back in a chair
Spinning on the playground
Riding in an elevator
Proprioception
"Where is my body?"
LAB NOTE 02
This system uses your muscles and joints to tell you how hard you are pushing or pulling something.
Signals:
Pushing a heavy door
Getting a tight hug
Stomping your feet
Interoception
"How do I feel inside?"
LAB NOTE 03
This system helps you understand what is happening inside your body, like your heart rate or stomach.
Signals:
Feeling "butterflies" when nervous
Knowing you are hungry or thirsty
Feeling your heart beat fast
The Sensory Cup
The Seeker
Your cup is HUGE. You need a lot of "fuel" (noise, movement, touch) just to feel ready!
"I need more fuel!"
The Avoider
Your cup is TINY. It fills up very quickly! Too much fuel makes it overflow.
"It's overflowing!"
Senses Scavenger Hunt
Grab your Lab Notes! We are going to find things in our classroom that trigger our 8 sensory systems.
1
Observe
2
Log
3
Discuss
Senses Scavenger Hunt Worksheet Senses Scavenger Hunt
Lab Notes: Exploring Body Signals
Researcher:
Date:
Mission Protocol Find objects or activities in the classroom that talk to your 8 sensory systems. Be a detective and observe how your body reacts!
Visual
Sight
Something bright or colorful:
I love it!
Okay.
Too much!
Auditory
Sound
A classroom sound:
I love it!
Okay.
Too much!
Tactile
Touch
A texture (fuzzy/rough):
I love it!
Okay.
Too much!
Vestibular
Balance
Spin or tip slowly:
I love it!
Okay.
Too much!
Proprioception
Pressure
Push a wall or stomp:
I love it!
Okay.
Too much!
Interoception
Inside
How is your hunger now?
I'm Full
Just OK
Starving!
The Cup Test
MORE fuel needed (Huge Cup)
LESS fuel needed (Tiny Cup)
*Note: Respect the classroom and your fellow lab researchers!
Sound and Sight Slides Lab Session 02
Sound & Sight
Testing your ability to focus in different sensory worlds.
The Focus Challenge
"Can you solve a puzzle faster with rock music or in total silence?"
Today, we are going to find out exactly what your brain likes best.
The 4 Focus Worlds
The Silent Zone
Pure quiet. No background noise.
The Rhythm Room
Soft music or white noise.
The Bright Patch
Bright lights and high contrast.
The Dim Den
Lower light. Calm colors.
Lab Instructions
1
Sit at the station and start the Focus Challenge (drawing or puzzles).
2
Check your Body Signal. Does your brain feel calm? Busy? Distracted?
3
Record your findings in your Data Log.
Lab Report Ready
Station: Silent Zone
Seeker
Avoider
Time to experiment!
Focus Lab Data Log Focus Lab Data Log
Auditory & Visual Experiments
Researcher Name
Experiment Mission
Spend 3 minutes at each station performing the "Focus Challenge." Mark how your brain feels in each "Focus World."
Station 1
Silent Zone
My Brain Feels...
Calm
Busy
Distracted
Observation Notes
Station 2
Rhythm Room
My Brain Feels...
Calm
Busy
Distracted
Observation Notes
Station 3
Bright Patch
My Brain Feels...
Calm
Busy
Distracted
Observation Notes
Station 4
Dim Den
My Brain Feels...
Calm
Busy
Distracted
Observation Notes
Lab Conclusion
My absolute favorite Focus World was:
"When the world matches my brain's needs, I am ready to learn!"
Touch and Pressure Slides Lab Session 03
Touch & Pressure
Testing your "Pressure Points" and "Heavy Work" needs.
The Squeeze Test
"Why does a tight hug feel good to some, but too much to others?"
Calming
Alarming
Heavy Work
Muscles and joints love to push and pull. It helps your brain know where your body is!
Testing Stations:
Weighted Items
Resistance Bands
Wall Pushes
Tool or Toy?
A Tool...
Helps my brain settle down so I can focus. My eyes stay on my work.
A Toy...
Distracts me or my friends. My eyes are on the object, not my work.
Texture Map
Some textures will be CALMING, some ALERTING, and some ANNOYING.
No wrong answers in the Lab!
Texture and Tool Tracker Tactile & Pressure Map
Lab Note 03: Tactile Experiments
Researcher:
Part 1: The Texture Map
Touch each material and decide how it makes your brain feel. Check one box for each texture.
| Material | Calming
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| 2. Scratchy / Rough |
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| 3. Squishy / Gooey |
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| 4. Bumpy / Rigid |
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| 5. Cold / Metallic |
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Part 2: Heavy Work Tracker
Weighted Lap Pad / Vest
Try wearing or holding the weighted item for 2 minutes.
HELPS
NO CHANGE
DISTRACTS
Resistance Band / Pushes
Pull on a band or push against the floor/wall 10 times.
HELPS
NO CHANGE
DISTRACTS
My Best Sensory Tool
When I feel overwhelmed or wiggly, I can use:
I promise to use this as a TOOL (to help me learn), not a TOY (to distract others).
Movement and Balance Slides Lab Session 04
Balance & Motion
Decoding your movement style and brain energy.
Motion Mystery
"Do you need to spin to think, or do you need to be still like a statue?"
The Spinner
The Statue
Brain Energy
Sleepy
Alerting Needs
Ready
The Focus Zone
Busy
Calming Needs
The Balance Engine
Vestibular System
How it works:
Inside your ear, tiny organs act like a GPS for your head. They tell you if you are moving FAST or SLOW.
Linear Motion Rocking / Swinging
Rotary Motion Spinning / Twirling
Regulation Rater
We will test different movements. Rate your energy Before and After.
1. Hop & Bounce
2. Slow Stretch
3. Spin & Stop Regulation Rater Log Regulation Rater
Lab Session 04: Movement & Energy
Energy Researcher
1. Sleepy
2. Just Right
3. Busy / Hyper
Movement 1: Fast Bouncing
1 MINUTE
My Energy BEFORE
1
2
3
My Energy AFTER
1
2
3
Movement 2: Slow Stretching
1 MINUTE
My Energy BEFORE
1
2
3
My Energy AFTER
1
2
3
Movement 3: Spinning / Twirling
30 SECONDS
My Energy BEFORE
1
2
3
My Energy AFTER
1
2
3
My Regulation Rule
When my brain is SLEEPY, I will:
When my brain is TOO BUSY, I will:
Brain User Manual Slides Final Project
Brain User Manual
Writing the official operating instructions for your unique sensory system.
You are the Expert
"Imagine you are a complex robot. What instructions do you need to give your operator to function perfectly?"
No one knows your body signals better than YOU.
Self-Advocacy
Being an expert means asking for what you need to be successful in class.
Sentence Starters:
"My brain is feeling busy. Can I use a tool?"
"It's too bright for me. May I move seats?"
"Can I take a movement break now?"
The Manual Sections
My Seekers
Need More Fuel
My Avoiders
Need Less Fuel
Top Tools
What Helps Focus
Body Signals
How I Feel Inside
Write Your Manual
Look back at your Lab Notes. Use your own data to explain your brain to the world.
I am ready to advocate for ME!
Brain User Manual Profile User Manual for My Brain
Version 1.0 • Personal Sensory Profile
Operator Name
01 Sensory Seeking (I need MORE)
My brain loves these inputs:
02 Sensory Avoiding (I need LESS)
These things make my cup overflow:
03 Early Warning Signals
When I feel overwhelmed, my body tells me by:
Tight muscles
Fast heart beat
Wiggly legs
"Thinking is hard"
04 My Focus Tools
These tools help me settle my brain so I can work:
05 My Advocacy
How I can ask for help (Circle your favorite):
"My brain is feeling busy. Can I use a tool?"
"I need to fill my cup. Can I take a break?"
"It is too loud/bright. May I move?"
Authorized Sensory Expert
Body Signals Unit • 3rd Grade
