The Senses: Touch – Basic 2 Basic Science Lesson Note (First Term)

Learning Objectives: By the end of this lesson, pupils should be able to:

• detect the textures of various substances through touching and feeling
• identify the skin as the organ of touch
• distinguish between rough and smooth objects; cold and hot, etc.
• assess the importance of the skin and the sense of touch to them

Lesson Content:

The Sense of Touch: Touch is our ability to feel things when they come in contact with our skin. It helps us know about the world around us through feeling.

The Skin – Organ of Touch:

• Skin covers our whole body
• It is the largest organ in our body
• Skin has special nerve endings that detect touch
• Different parts of skin are more sensitive than others

Most Sensitive Parts:

• Fingertips: Very sensitive for feeling textures
• Lips: Can feel temperature and texture
• Face: Sensitive to light touch
• Palms: Good for feeling size and shape

What We Can Feel Through Touch:

Texture (How Things Feel):

• Smooth: Glass, silk, baby’s skin, polished wood
• Rough: Sandpaper, tree bark, concrete wall
• Soft: Cotton, pillow, fur, marshmallow
• Hard: Stone, metal, bone, wood
• Bumpy: Orange peel, basketball, gravel

Temperature:

• Hot: Warm water, iron, cup of tea, sunlight
• Cold: Ice, cold water, metal in morning, air conditioner
• Warm: Body temperature, mild sunshine, cooked food
• Cool: Shade, evening air, marble floor

Other Touch Sensations:

• Wet: Water, rain, damp cloth
• Dry: Paper, sand, dry leaves
• Sticky: Glue, honey, tape
• Sharp: Needle, thorn, knife edge (be careful!)
• Blunt: Eraser, finger, round stone

Distinguishing Between Different Textures:

Rough vs Smooth:

• Rough: Feels bumpy, uneven, scratchy (sandpaper, tree bark)
• Smooth: Feels even, flat, slippery (glass, silk)

Hot vs Cold:

• Hot: Makes skin feel warm, might cause pain if too hot
• Cold: Makes skin feel cool, might make us shiver

Soft vs Hard:

• Soft: Can be pressed in easily (pillow, sponge)
• Hard: Cannot be pressed in (rock, table)

Importance of Skin and Touch:

• Protection: Warns us of danger (hot, sharp, rough)
• Communication: Helps us show care (hugging, holding hands)
• Learning: Helps us learn about objects
• Health: Tells us if something is wrong with our body
• Enjoyment: Lets us enjoy pleasant touches (soft blanket, warm bath)
• Safety: Prevents injuries by detecting harmful things

Taking Care of Our Skin:

• Keep skin clean by washing regularly
• Use lotion if skin is dry
• Protect from too much sun
• Don’t touch very hot or very cold things
• Tell adults if skin hurts or looks strange
• Wear gloves when handling rough materials

Touch and Safety:

• Don’t touch unknown substances
• Be careful with hot objects
• Don’t touch sharp things without permission
• Wash hands after touching dirty things
• Use tools instead of hands for dangerous tasks