Yesterday you learned that scientists observe. Today you will practice! Good observers use more than one sense. An apple looks red and round. It also feels smooth. It smells fresh. It crunches when you bite it.
Each sense tells us something different. If we only look, we might miss a lot. A lemon and a ball can both be yellow and round. But they feel and smell very different!
Scientists compare objects. To compare means to find what is the same and what is different. Today you will pick two objects and compare them using your senses. Then you will record what you find in your science journal.
1. What does it mean to compare two objects?
2. Why should we use more than one sense when we observe?
Never taste anything unless a grown-up says it is safe. Ask a grown-up for help choosing objects to observe. Wash your hands after touching objects.
Walk around your home with a grown-up. Find one thing for each sense. Write it in the chart.
| Sense | Something I found | One word to describe it |
|---|---|---|
| Sight (eyes) | ||
| Hearing (ears) | ||
| Touch (hands) | ||
| Smell (nose) | ||
| Taste (tongue, safe food only) |
Write each word in the correct column: red, loud, smooth, sweet-smelling, quiet, bumpy, shiny, stinky.
| Sight words | Sound words | Touch words | Smell words |
|---|---|---|---|
Choose two objects, like an orange and a rock. Observe both with your senses. Fill in the chart.
| Question | Object 1: ____________ | Object 2: ____________ |
|---|---|---|
| What color is it? | ||
| How does it feel? | ||
| Does it make a sound? | ||
| How does it smell? | ||
| Is it big or small? |
Draw each object. Add labels for one detail you observed.
Use a ruler. How long is Object 1? __________ inches. How long is Object 2? __________ inches.
Which object is longer? ______________________
Write two ways your objects are the same.
Write two ways your objects are different.
Pick a secret object. Write three observation clues about it. Read the clues to someone. Can they guess your object?
Clue 1:
Clue 2:
Clue 3:
Did they guess it? YES / NO
In your journal, write today's date. Then finish these sentences:
Today I observed ______________________________________.
The most surprising thing I noticed was:
At dinner, observe your food before you eat. Tell your family one thing you see, one thing you smell, and one thing you taste.