Lesson Plan
Sensory Safari Expedition Guide
Students will identify and explore various calming and alerting sensory tools to discover their preferred sensory strategies.
Understanding personal sensory needs and effective coping mechanisms empowers students to self-regulate, improve focus, and enhance their overall well-being in the classroom and beyond.
Audience
4th Grade Group
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Hands-on exploration and guided reflection.
Materials
Various sensory tools (e.g., fidget toys, textured objects, weighted items, noise-canceling headphones, light-up toys, chewies), Safari Zone Sensory Tools, Mystery Sensory Box Challenge, My Sensory Safari Map, and Pencils or markers
Prep
Prepare Materials
15 minutes
- Review the Sensory Safari Expedition Guide and all linked materials: Safari Zone Sensory Tools, Mystery Sensory Box Challenge, and My Sensory Safari Map.
- Gather a variety of sensory tools, ensuring a mix of calming (e.g., fidgets, weighted items, soft textures) and alerting (e.g., light-up toys, vibrating items, crunchy snacks) options. Ideally, have enough for each student to try multiple items.
- Prepare a 'Mystery Sensory Box' by placing a few sensory tools inside, hidden from view.
- Make copies of the My Sensory Safari Map worksheet for each student.
- Set up a designated "Sensory Zone" in the classroom with the collected sensory tools.
Step 1
Welcome to the Safari!
5 minutes
- Greet students and introduce the concept of a 'sensory safari.'
- Explain that just like animals use their senses to navigate the world, we use our senses to help us feel calm, focused, or energized.
- Introduce the Safari Zone Sensory Tools slide deck to show examples of calming and alerting tools.
- Ask: "What are some things that help you feel calm or focused? What helps you wake up your brain?"
Step 2
Mystery Sensory Box Challenge
10 minutes
- Introduce the Mystery Sensory Box Challenge game.
- Explain the rules: students will reach into a box without looking, identify a sensory tool by touch, and guess if it's calming or alerting.
- Facilitate the game, encouraging students to describe what they feel and why they think it's calming or alerting.
- Discuss their experiences after each item.
Step 3
Explore the Safari Zones
10 minutes
- Direct students to the Sensory Zone where all the collected sensory tools are available.
- Encourage students to explore and interact with different tools at their own pace.
- Prompt them with questions like: "How does this feel? Does it make you feel calm or more awake? Where in your body do you feel that?"
- Observe and note student interactions with various tools.
Step 4
Map Your Safari Discoveries
5 minutes
- Distribute the My Sensory Safari Map worksheet.
- Instruct students to draw or write about their favorite calming and alerting sensory tools they discovered today.
- Encourage them to think about when and where they might use these tools.
- Briefly discuss their maps as a group, reinforcing the idea of personalized sensory strategies.
use Lenny to create lessons.
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Slide Deck
Welcome to the Sensory Safari!
Get ready for an adventure into your senses!
Welcome students to the 'Sensory Safari'! Explain that a safari is an adventure, and today we're going on an adventure to learn about our senses and how they help us. Ask them what senses they know (sight, smell, touch, taste, hearing) and briefly discuss. Introduce the idea that some things can help us feel calm or awake.
What Are Sensory Tools?
Special helpers for your body and brain!
They can help you:
- Feel calm and focused
- Wake up and be energized
Explain that sensory tools are like special helpers for our bodies and brains. They can help us feel just right, whether we're too sleepy or too wiggly. We'll explore two main types today.
Calming Tools: Chill Out!
Tools that help you relax and feel peaceful.
- Fidget Toys: Squeeze, squish, or spin to release extra energy.
- Weighted Items: Blankets or lap pads can feel like a gentle hug.
- Soft Textures: Smooth fabrics or plush toys to touch.
- Quiet Corners: Spaces to dim the lights and relax.
- Slow Deep Breaths: Taking big breaths in and out.
Introduce calming tools. Ask students when they might need to feel calm (e.g., when frustrated, overwhelmed, before a test). Show examples and encourage discussion about how these might feel or help.
Alerting Tools: Wake Up!
Tools that help you feel energized and focused.
- Bumpy Textures: Exploring things with interesting bumps or ridges.
- Movement Breaks: Stretching, wiggling, or taking a short walk.
- Bright Lights: Some people feel more awake with brighter light.
- Strong Scents: Smelling something fresh like peppermint.
- Chewy Items: Chewing gum or a chewy necklace.
Introduce alerting tools. Ask students when they might need to feel more awake or focused (e.g., when tired, distracted, before an activity). Show examples and encourage discussion about how these might feel or help.
Calming or Alerting?
Can you tell the difference?
Let's find out with our next challenge!
Briefly recap the two types of tools. Transition to the game by explaining that they will get to experience some of these tools firsthand.
Game
Mystery Sensory Box Challenge!
Objective: Identify sensory tools by touch and decide if they are calming or alerting.
Materials:
- A box with a hole cut out for hands (or a pillowcase/bag)
- Various sensory tools (a mix of calming and alerting, as gathered in the lesson plan prep)
- Whiteboard or chart paper to record guesses
Instructions:
- Introduce the Challenge:
Worksheet
My Sensory Safari Map
Name: ____________________________
Welcome, young explorer! Today you went on a Sensory Safari and discovered many different tools that can help your body and brain. Now it's time to map out your favorite discoveries!
Calming Tools: My Chill Out Zone
Think about the tools that helped you feel calm, relaxed, or focused. Draw or write about one or two of your favorite calming tools. How did they feel? When might you use them?
Alerting Tools: My Wake Up Station
Now, think about the tools that helped you feel awake, energized, or more attentive. Draw or write about one or two of your favorite alerting tools. How did they feel? When might you use them?
My Personal Safari Strategy
How will you use your Sensory Safari Map to help you in class or at home? Write one idea below.