Chapter 1.7 (Science and Technology 5)

Human Body: Sense Organs

Getting Ready: In our learning activities, we will:

  1. Identify various sense organs in a human being.
  2. Use digital devices to identify various sense organs in a human being.
  3. Explain the functions of various sense organs in a human being.
  4. Demonstrate the care of various sense organs.
  5. Use digital devices to learn how to care for various sense organs.
  6. Find out more about caring for our sense organs and share this information in our communities. In this way, we will develop our interest in the role sense organs play in a human being.

Language link: Learn the meaning of these words:

What will you use? A print dictionary? The Internet? Find out from friends? Ask parents, a guardian or a caregiver? Join the English Language or Debate Club? How else can you find out? Share your ideas with others.

During the learning activities, you will work in pairs and in groups. In which ways will you:

  • Show respect for others?
  • Care for others?
  • Ensure there is unity?

Share the tips with your team members.

Identifying Various Sense Organs

What we already know

From our studies in Environmental Activities and Science and Technology, we know that human beings are living things. What are some of their characteristics? Discuss them with another learner.

Activity 1.65: Identifying the sense organs in our bodies

Read this story

It was a Saturday morning. Neema, a Grade Five learner, had set her alarm clock for six o’clock. She wanted to practise her skills in Creative Art and Craft. The alarm went off. Neema heard it. She opened her eyes. She heard the birds singing. She woke up and went to the bathroom. After using the toilet, she washed her hands and her face. “Ouch! The water was very cold.”

She then brushed her teeth. The toothpaste had a minty taste. She had learnt from the Internet that mint is a herb that is used in making some types of toothpaste. She heard some voices. Her parents had already woken up. They were talking.

She could smell the aroma of a delicious meal coming from the kitchen. Her mother had made some wholemeal pancakes for breakfast. The family started their day by taking breakfast together. The pancakes were delicious.

Answer these questions:

Write this story in your notebook. You can also type it in a digital device. Underline all the sentences that describe how Neema sensed the world around her.

As human beings, we have various ways of sensing the world around us. What sense organs do we use for the following?

  • Seeing
  • Hearing
  • Tasting
  • Feeling and Touching
  • Smelling
  • Eyes
  • Ears
  • Tongue
  • Skin
  • Nose

Let us choose to care: Some people are not able to use some of their sense organs. Some cannot see. Some cannot hear. In what ways can you show them that you care? Share your ideas with others.

Activity 1.67(a): Identifying the sense organs in our bodies

Learn more. Grow. Share the knowledge with your family and community members

We sense the world through our sense organs. We have five sense organs. The organ that senses touch is the skin. The organs that sense sight are the eyes. The organ that senses smell is the nose. The organs that sense hearing are the ears. The organ that senses taste is the tongue.

Take care of your ears and nose: Do not put objects into your nose or ears. Watch out for young children who may put objects into their nose or ears. Do not allow them to play with beads or seeds.

The Skin as a Sense Organ

Activity 1.67(b): Observing the skin

  1. Work safely in groups.
  2. Use a magnifying glass to observe the back of your hand.
  3. What do you see?
  4. Use the Internet to find out: how large is the human skin? What area does it cover?
  5. Record your findings and share this information with others.

Activity 1.68: Identifying the skin as a sense organ

  1. Put a drop of cold water on the back of the hand. How does it feel?
  2. Repeat with a drop of warm water. How does it feel?
  3. Use a pencil to gently press various points at the back of your hand. How does it feel? Share with your friend.
  4. What does your skin feel when you bask in the sun?

Be safe: Use lukewarm water. Hot water can cause burns and scalds. Caution: Ask an adult to help where necessary.

Activity 1.69: Finding out the functions of the skin

Activity 1.70: Demonstrating how to care for the skin

Work safely in pairs. Discuss ways of caring for the skin. Record your points. Share the information with others.

Do a role-play. Act out how to care for the skin.

Home Science Link: Let us care for our bodies. Let us always observe personal hygiene. Do not bask in very hot sun. It can harm your skin and your health.

Learn more. Grow. Share the knowledge with your family and community members

The skin has hairs and pores. What is their function? Find out and share this information. The skin covers the whole body.

The skin protects the inner parts of the body from injury and loss of water. We use the skin to feel and touch. We are able to sense coldness, hotness, wetness, tickling and pain.

Caring for the skin

Take care of the skin. Wash it with clean water and soap. Apply some oil to keep it smooth. Cover your face with a hat when you are out under very hot sun. Do not use dangerous chemicals that bleach the skin. 

To bleach is to whiten the skin with a chemical product.

Watch out for dangerous skin products: Some skin oils and creams contain dangerous chemicals such as mercury. Do not use them. They can affect your kidneys. Share this information with others in your family and in the community.

The Nose as a Sense Organ

Activity 1.71: Identifying the nose as a sense organ

  1. Work safely in pairs. You need a mirror, a flower, an onion bulb, or some perfumed petroleum jelly. Use a mirror to observe your nose. What do you see?
  2. Do you see any hairs lining the inside of the nose? Do you feel the wetness in the nose? Breathe in and out deeply.
  3. Smell some onions or some perfumed petroleum jelly. Describe the smell.

Activity 1.72: Finding out the functions of the nose

Activity 1.73: Demonstrating how to care for the nose

Work safely in pairs. Discuss ways of caring for the nose. Share the information. Do a role-play. Act out how to care for the nose.

The nose as a sense organ

  • The nose is used for breathing. It has two nostrils.
  • The nose is the organ that senses smell.
  • The nose has hairs and mucus lining. These trap dust and germs that may be present in the air we breathe in.

Caring for the nose

  • Do not insert objects into the nose.
  • Wear a mask in dusty and crowded places. Use a handkerchief or a clean cloth to blow the nose.
  • Do not smell chemicals. They can damage your nose and lungs.

The Tongue as a Sense Organ

Activity 1.74: Identifying the tongue as a sense organ

Use a mirror to observe your tongue. Use a digital device to take a selfie of your tongue. With the help of an adult, taste some salt, sugar, a piece of lemon and a piece of onion.

Be safe: Do not take very hot liquids. They can harm your tongue.

Develop interest: Find out more about the tongue

With the guidance of your parents or guardian, find out the following: What areas on your tongue sense different tastes.

Your parent or guardian or caregiver will guide you to taste different foods and drinks.

Find out the different tastes that your tongue senses. Record your findings. Share the information with other learners.

Activity 1.76: Demonstrating how to care for the tongue

Work safely in pairs. Discuss ways of caring for the tongue. 

Share this information. Do a role-play. Act out how to care for the tongue.

Be safe: Do not taste wild berries and fruits. Some are highly poisonous.

The tongue as a sense organ

The tongue is the organ that senses taste.

It has taste buds that enable us to sense different tastes such as bitter, sour, salty and sweet.

Caring for the tongue

Brush your tongue with a soft toothbrush. Avoid taking very hot foods and drinks. These can damage the taste buds.

The Eyes as Sense Organs

Activity 1.77: Identifying the eyes as sense organs

Work safely in pairs. Talk about each other’s eyes.

Observe the different parts of the eye.

Find out the functions of the eye.

Safety kit: Do not use sharp objects such as a pencil or a pen to point at someone’s eyes. Ensure that you and others are safe.

Activity 1.78: Finding out the functions of the eyes

Activity 1.79: Demonstrating how to care for the eyes

Work safely in pairs. Discuss ways of caring for the eyes. Share the information with others. Act out how to care for the eyes.

The eyes as sense organs

  • The eyes are the organs that sense sight. Eyelids and eye lashes protect the eyes from objects in the environment that may enter into the eyes. The pupil allows light rays into the eye.
  • The iris surrounds the pupil. It controls the amount of light passing into the eye. How does it feel when you wake up in the morning and get into a room with bright light? Talk about it with a friend.
  • The iris gives the eye its colour.

Caring for the eyes

  • Wash your eyes to remove the thin mucus that is released by the eyes at night and solidifies at the corners of the eyes. What is it called? Find out and share the information with others.
  • Use protective goggles when looking at bright light. Do not look at the sun directly. It can damage your eyes.
  • Use clean water to remove any foreign object that may accidentally get into the eye. In case of an injury, visit the doctor.

Our Ears as Sense Organs

Activity 1.80: Identifying the ears as sense organs

  • Look at the ears of your friend. Draw what you see.
  • Use the Internet to search and watch a video explaining the functions of the ear. Record your findings and share with others.

Activity 1.81(a): Finding out the functions of ears

Activity 1.81(b): Discovering another function of the ears

Read this story: Imani and Safari were playing. Imani spun round and round very fast for half a minute. When he stopped, he could not balance his body. He fell to the ground. What could have happened? Find out from the Internet. Share your findings with others.

Activity 1.82: Demonstrating how to care for the ears

Work safely in pairs. Discuss ways of caring for the ears. Share the information with others. Role-play how to care for the ears.

The ears as sense organs

The ears are the organs that sense hearing. Other than hearing, ears help us to walk upright and keep our bodies in balance.

Caring for the ears

Wash the outer parts of the ears every day with soap and water. Dry them well. Do not remove the wax from the ear using sharp objects. Avoid loud sound and music. In case of a serious infection, consult an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) specialist.

Safety kit: Do not insert sharp objects into your ears. Watch out for young children and advise them to take care of their ears. Do not share ear-piercing tools.

Check your progress

Flashcards

Involve your Family. Serve your Community. Ask to find out. Learn. Share. Grow. Solve problems.

Find out how people with special needs are enabled to sense the world around them. Share your findings with others.

Talk to your parent or guardian about ways you can help people with special needs in your community. Plan to spend time with someone in your community who has a special need.