Lesson Plan

Name of Activity – Sensory Science Exploration

Originating Idea - Engaging children in hands-on sensory experiments to promote curiosity, exploration, and
scientific inquiry through sensory-rich activities that stimulate their senses and encourage observation,
prediction, and discovery.

Curriculum Area
Highlight 1:
Approaches to learning
Social and emotional development
Physical development and health
Language, literacy, and communication
Mathematics
Creative arts
Science and technology
Social studies

KDI: G. Science and Technology

47. Experimenting: Children experiment to test their ideas.

Materials
Sensory materials (sand, water, rice, beans)
Science materials (baking soda, vinegar, food coloring)
Containers (cups, bowls, jars)
Measuring spoons and cups
Optional: Magnifying glasses, droppers, funnels

Appropriate Age group

Pre-K children – ages 4 and 5

Beginning of Activity
Welcome to our Sensory Science Exploration! Today, we're going to become little scientists and explore the
world of senses and science. Get ready to use your hands, eyes, and noses to make exciting discoveries through
hands-on experiments.

Middle of Activity
Who's excited to dive into our sensory science adventure? Let's gather our sensory materials, science tools, and
containers as we prepare to explore our senses and conduct fun experiments. Are you ready to observe, predict,
and discover new things through our sensory exploration?

Your ideas for scaffolding children at different developmental levels

Early:
Provide simple sensory activities like scooping and pouring materials to introduce them to the concept of
sensory exploration. Offer guidance in using tools and containers and encourage them to engage their senses
through basic experiments. Use prompts and cues to help them make observations and predictions.

Middle:
Encourage them to explore different sensory materials and create their experiments using a combination of
materials. Support their observations and predictions by asking open-ended questions and encouraging them to
use their senses to make discoveries. Provide challenges or variations to extend their learning.

Later:
Challenge them to design their sensory experiments using a variety of materials and tools. Encourage them to
conduct experiments with multiple variables and make detailed observations and predictions. Provide
opportunities for them to record their findings and draw conclusions based on their experiments.

End of Activity
Great job, Sensory Scientists! We had a wonderful time exploring our senses and conducting sensory science
experiments. Let’s all share what we experimented with, who would like to go first?

Follow-up Ideas (2)

1. Sensory Sensation Station: Create a sensory sensation station where children can explore different textures,
scents, and sounds through hands-on activities. Encourage them to engage their senses and make connections
between their observations and sensory experiences.
2. Sensory Science Storytime: Integrate sensory science experiments into storytelling sessions where children
can conduct experiments related to the story's theme. Encourage them to make predictions and observations
based on the story and explore the scientific concepts through hands-on activities, promoting literacy and
science integration.

Lesson Plan
Name of Activity – Eyes Wide Open

Originating Idea - Engaging children in the practice of observation to develop their critical thinking, attention
to detail, and descriptive skills through focused exploration of their surroundings and the natural world.

Curriculum Area
Highlight 1:
Approaches to learning
Social and emotional development
Physical development and health
Language, literacy, and communication
Mathematics
Creative arts
Science and technology
Social studies

KDI: G. Science and Technology

45. Observing: Children observe the materials and processes in their environment.

Materials
Magnifying glasses
Binoculars
Notebooks
Pencils
Nature items (leaves, rocks, flowers)
Art supplies (crayons, markers)

Appropriate Age group

Pre-K children – ages 4 and 5

Beginning of Activity
Welcome to our Eyes Wide Open activity! Today, we're going to sharpen our observation skills by using our
eyes to carefully look at and notice details in the world around us. Get ready to become keen observers and
discover the beauty in everyday things.

Middle of Activity
Who's excited to open their eyes wide and observe the wonders around us? Let's grab our magnifying glasses,
notebooks, and pencils as we prepare to explore and document our observations.

Your ideas for scaffolding children at different developmental levels

Early:
Provide simple prompts or questions to guide their observations, such as "What shapes do you see?" or "What
colors can you find?" Encourage them to use their senses to explore nature items and provide support in using
magnifying glasses to look closely at details. Offer praise and positive reinforcement for their efforts.

Middle:
Encourage them to make detailed observations and record their findings in their notebooks using words and
drawings. Support their descriptive skills by asking open-ended questions and encouraging them to use
adjectives to describe what they see. Provide opportunities for them to share their observations with peers.

Later:
Challenge them to conduct more focused observations on specific aspects of nature items or scenes. Encourage
them to compare different objects or details and make connections between their observations. Provide
opportunities for them to conduct independent research on topics of interest related to their observations.

End of Activity
Great job, Observational Explorers! We had a fantastic time observing and discovering the beauty in the world
around us. Let’s all sit at the carpet and share what we observed.

Follow-up Ideas (2)

1. Nature Walk and Sketch: Take the children on a nature walk to observe and sketch different plants, animals,
and natural elements. Encourage them to use their observational skills to capture details and create nature-
inspired artwork.
2. Observation Journal: Have children create observation journals where they can document their daily
observations, sketches, and reflections. Encourage them to add new entries regularly and share their
observations with their peers, fostering a sense of curiosity and exploration.

Lesson Plan
Name of Activity – My Observational Journal

Originating Idea - Encouraging children to develop their observation skills, critical thinking, and creativity by
creating their observational journals to document their daily experiences, discoveries, and reflections in a
personal and expressive way.

Curriculum Area
Highlight 1:
Approaches to learning
Social and emotional development
Physical development and health
Language, literacy, and communication
Mathematics
Creative arts
Science and technology
Social studies

KDI: G. Science and Technology

45. Observing: Children observe the materials and processes in their environment.

Materials
Notebooks or journals
Drawing materials (crayons, markers, colored pencils)
Stickers
Nature items (leaves, flowers, rocks)
Magnifying glasses
Pencils

Appropriate Age group

Pre-K children – ages 4 and 5

Beginning of Activity
Welcome to our My Observation Journal activity! Today, we're going to become little explorers and create our
own special journals to record our observations, thoughts, and discoveries. Get ready to document your unique
experiences and express yourself through drawings and words.

Middle of Activity
Who's excited to start creating their own Observation Journals? Let's gather our notebooks, drawing materials,
and nature items as we prepare to document our observations and reflections. Are you ready to be storytellers of
your daily adventures and discoveries?

Your ideas for scaffolding children at different developmental levels

Early:
Provide visual prompts or templates for journal entries to guide their observations and reflections. Offer simple
writing or drawing activities to help them get started, such as tracing shapes or coloring pictures. Encourage
them to use stickers or nature items to embellish their journals and make the process more engaging.

Middle:
Encourage them to write descriptive sentences or short paragraphs about their observations and experiences.
Support their creativity by providing opportunities to draw detailed pictures or create collages in their journals.
Challenge them to use adjectives and expressive language to describe their observations.

Later:
Challenge them to create themed observation journals focusing on specific topics or areas of interest. Encourage
them to conduct more detailed observations, research information, and add multimedia elements to their
journals, such as photographs or recordings. Provide opportunities for them to share their journals with peers
and discuss their observations.

End of Activity
Congratulations, Observation Journalists! You have done an amazing job creating your personal observation
journals. Who would like to come up to the front of the class and share what observed and drew in your journal?

Follow-up Ideas (2)

1. Outdoor Exploration Day: Take the children on an outdoor exploration day where they can observe nature,
collect items for their journals, and document their experiences in their observation journals. Encourage them to
connect with nature and express their observations creatively.
2. Journal Reflection Circle: Have a journal reflection circle where children can share their favorite
observations, drawings, or discoveries from their observation journals. Encourage them to discuss what they
have learned and how their observation skills have improved through journaling, fostering communication and
reflection skills.