Activity Description

Preparation:

1. Select a storybook
   1. Ensure the story contains details that can be processed using some or all of the five senses
      • For example, the story should contain some items that can be hypothetically smelled, tasted, heard, touched, seen etc.

Implementation:

1. Review the fives senses
   1. Have students identify each of the five senses as well as the part of the body that performs each
2. Introduce the story
3. Explain that students will be using their five senses to help them understand the story
4. Pose pre-reading questions
   1. Ask questions pertaining to what is seen on the front cover. For example, what do you think the story will be about?
5. Encourage students to use their senses to process the various information presented on the front cover of the book
   1. For example, if an image of a strawberry is on the front cover, have students close their eyes and visualize a strawberry and then imagine what it smells and tastes like
   2. Have students share how the item looks, smells and tastes and encourage them to use descriptive vocabulary
6. Read the story aloud
   1. Pause frequently to have students close their eyes and use one or more of their five senses to process the details of the story
   2. For example, if the story describes a windy day, have students imagine what the wind sounds like and invite them to make a whistling noise
   3. Encourage students to share their ideas aloud, using vocabulary from the story
   4. Write any good descriptive words on the board and make sure all students understand what they mean
7. After the story is read, have students use their five senses to recall the various details of the story
   1. You may prompt students by asking them, “what kinds of things did we smell, taste, hear, touch and see?”
   2. Encourage students to recall the new vocabulary words
8. Remind students that they can use their five senses to help them understand the stories they read

Adaptations For

English Language Learners/ESL:

- In advance, provide key vocabulary words that will be processed using the five senses

LD/Reading & Writing Difficulties:

- In advance, provide key vocabulary words that will be processed using the five senses
- To orient thinking, provide visual representation of the five senses including pictures of the body images that perform each of the senses

Cultural Appropriateness & Diversity:

- Ensure that the story is relevant and meaningful and that the ideas and topics discussed are accessible to all students

Differentiated Instruction:

- Implement this activity in smaller groups based on reading level

Related References

Evidence:
Gambrell, L. B. & Jawitz, P. B. (1993). Mental imagery, text illustrations, and children's story comprehension and recall. Reading Research Quarterly, 28(3), 265-273