Special Feature Lesson:

Sense-ational Trail Mix!

Overview:
Children put their senses to work as they make trail mix.

Curriculum Focus:
science

Materials:

Mystery Treat sheet
6 small disposable cups
marshmallows
raisins
pretzel sticks
chocolate chips
sunflower seeds
cereal, such as Chex
large plastic bag
[NOTE: Substitute ingredients according to food allergies, if needed.]

Activity:
Before presenting this activity, make enough copies of the Mystery Treat sheet for each group of two to three children. Also, prepare a set of recipe ingredients for each group. Fill a small cup halfway with each ingredient listed above. To begin the activity, review the five senses, and refer to Special Feature and More About for examples of how animals depend on them. Ask students to share examples of how they use each of their senses.

Tell children they will be putting their senses to work as they create a “mystery” treat. Have children wash hands and get into groups. Tell children to close their eyes and keep them closed. Pass out the first ingredient to each group. Tell each group to gently shake its cup (you may want to have chidren place a hand over the cup as they shake it to avoid spilling). Can children guess their ingredient from the way it sounds? Remind children to keep their eyes closed. Next, have children smell their ingredient and guess what's in the cup. Continue this procedure for touching, tasting, and, finally, seeing. Once you finish, have children pour the ingredient into their plastic bags.

Repeat this procedure for the remaining ingredients. When you finish, pass out the Mystery Treat sheet. Discuss results children marked on the sheet. Encourage children to use adjectives that describe each food in terms of how they sensed it.

Extension Idea: Help children make shaving cream art. Allow them to spray scented shaving cream into a bowl, work in food coloring or paint with their fingers, then apply it to paper with tools such as a paintbrush, toothbrush, cotton swab, or a fingertip. Have children report sensory observations —remind them not to taste their art, though!