Lesson summary

Using balls of cotton wool that have been doused in different scents, children experiment with using their sense of smell to understand the world around them, and then talk about how animals use their sense of smell.

Learning intentions:

Students will...

understand that there are more ways of knowing the world than just through what we see
learn we have five senses and smell is one of them. Smell is one of the ways that we know our world
learn animals use smell as much or even more than they use sight.

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Lesson details

Australian curriculum content descriptions:

Year 1 Science:

Participate in different types of guided investigations to explore and answer questions, such as manipulating materials, testing ideas, and accessing information sources (ACSIS025)

Year 1 English:

Engage in conversations and discussions, using active listening behaviours, showing interest, and contributing ideas, information and questions (ACELY1656)

Year 2 Science:

Participate in different types of guided investigations to explore and answer questions, such as manipulating materials, testing ideas, and accessing information sources(ACSIS038)

Year 2 English:

Listen for specific purposes and information, including instructions, and extend students’ own and others’ ideas in discussions (ACELY1666)

Syllabus Outcomes: EN1-1A

Indoor or outdoor activity: Indoor

Time required: 20 mins

Homework and extension opportunities: This activity includes opportunities for extension.

Cotton wool buds soaked or dabbed with different scents.
Use anything that has a distinct smell and that can be applied to a cotton bud. For example, you can use:

eucalyptus oil
vanilla essence
coconut essence
almond essence
perfume
antiseptic lotion or solution
dishwashing liquid
vinegar
fish sauce

or rub the cotton buds with different herbs such as mint or basil.

This is an original Cool.org lesson. Facts and figures in these lessons may have changed since this lesson was published. We always endeavour to update our resources in a timely manner, but if you see an error or issue in our resources please get in touch with us.

Can you smell it?

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Learning intentions:

Students will...

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Lesson Details

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