Sense Scientists Teacher Guide
Sense Scientists
Teacher Lab Guide
UNIT: GRAMMAR GREETINGS
4th Grade English Language Arts
Objective
Students will apply the "Five Senses Rule" to correctly use "good" with sensory verbs as linking verbs and "well" with action verbs.
Materials Needed
- • Sense Scientists Slides & Video
- • Sensory Station Logbooks (1 per student)
- • Sensory Station Cards & Objects:
- - Look: Bright photos/crystals
- Sound: Bell or rain stick
- Smell: Scented markers/spices
- Taste: Pretzels or candy
- Feel: Sandpaper or soft fur
The Key Rule
The Sensory Exception
Sense verbs (look, sound, smell, feel, taste) act as linking verbs. They connect the subject to the adjective "good".
"The cake tastes good" (describes cake) vs "He tastes well" (physically tasting correctly - rare!)
Lab Procedure
1
Warm-Up (5 mins)
Pass around a scented marker or textured object. Ask students to describe it aloud. Scaffold: "It smells..." or "It feels..." Note how students naturally use adjectives.
2
Lab Analysis: Video (10 mins)
Watch the video section on the five senses (1:27-1:55). Discussion: Why are these "linking verbs"? Explain that the verb connects the subject (noun) to a description (adjective).
3
Sensory Stations (25 mins)
Set up the 5 labeled stations. Students rotate through each:
- Step A: Write one "Sense Sentence" using the verb + "good" (e.g., "The bell sounds good").
- Step B: Write one "Action Sentence" for contrast using "well" (e.g., "The musician plays well").
4
Reflection (5 mins)
Students partner up to share one pair of sentences. They must explain why they used "well" in the action sentence (it describes the doing, not the thing).
Substitution Strategy
Teach students the "Is/Was Swap". If you can replace the sensory verb with "is" or "was" and it still makes sense, use good!
YES: "The pizza [is] good."
Therefore: "The pizza tastes good."
NO: "He [is] for his age."
Therefore: "He looks well for his age."
Sense Scientists Slides
Lab Report #04
Sense
Scientists
Decoding "Good" vs. "Well"
The Lab Definitions
Good
Is an Adjective
Describes NOUNS
"The apple is good."
Well
Is an Adverb
Describes ACTIONS
"She paints well."
Video Lab: The Rules
Embedded media
Watch: The Five Senses Exception (1:27 - 1:55)
The Five Senses Rule
Sensory verbs are LINKING VERBS
LOOKS
SOUNDS
SMELLS
TASTES
FEELS
Always use GOOD
Example: "The music sounds GOOD." (It doesn't "sound well")
The Substitution Trick
Step 1: The Is/Was Swap
Replace your sensory verb with IS or WAS.
Test Sentence:
"The flowers smell ____."
"The flowers ARE good."
It works! Use GOOD.
Action Sentence:
"He smells ____ for his age."
"He IS for his age."
Doesn't work! Use WELL.
Sensory Stations
1
Rotate
Visit each of the 5 Sense Stations in your lab group.
2
Sense It
Write one sentence using a sensory verb and GOOD.
3
Action It
Write one sentence using an action verb and WELL.
Check your Lab Logbook for station prompts!
Sensory Station Logbook Worksheet
Lab Logbook
Subject: Sensory Grammar
Scientist:
Lab Date:
The Scientist's Rule
When using the 5 SENSES (looks, sounds, smells, feels, tastes), use GOOD. When describing an ACTION, use WELL.
Station 1
1A. Sense Sentence (Describe the object using "looks good")
1B. Action Sentence (Describe how someone looks for things using "well")
Station 2
2A. Sense Sentence (Describe the sound using "sounds good")
2B. Action Sentence (Describe how a musician plays using "well")
Station 3
3A. Sense Sentence (Describe the smell using "smells good")
3B. Action Sentence (Describe how a detective sniffs for clues using "well")
Station 4
4A. Sense Sentence (Describe the texture using "feels good")
4B. Action Sentence (Describe how a craftsperson works with their hands using "well")
Station 5
5A. Sense Sentence (Describe the taste using "tastes good")
5B. Action Sentence (Describe how a chef seasons their soup using "well")
Lab Reflection
Why do we use "good" when we describe how something smells or tastes, but "well" when we describe how someone is doing a job?
