**Since these are flex classes and people take vacations and holiday breaks at different times, just let me know if you need to complete the flex class on a different schedule and I'll add extra weeks.  I'll still post new lessons each week but will know that your learner will be needing extra time.**

Note: There is overlap between It's All in Your Head Part 1 and this class: the lessons on seeing, hearing, and smelling/tasting are offered in both. If your learner has already taken It's All in Your Head (Part 1), here is a link to Part 2 (which includes all 8 Senses lessons NOT covered in Part 1): https://outschool.com/classes/mini-med-school-flex-its-all-in-your-head-part-2-8IbdmdtH#usXhgNAFKP

This 8-week flex class provides a deep dive into the 8 senses (yes eight!)  Each week will include a recorded lesson covering the topic in detail. I use models and drawings to demonstrate the concepts and students will get to try out various activities and experiments to learn by doing. There will be no live zoom meetings so all interaction will occur asynchronously in the classroom. Each week will include a senses guessing game, discussion questions, and a link to a video that extends the learning. Additional ideas for ways to continue the exploration during normal activities are suggested at the end of many lessons. 

I assume that learners have no prior knowledge on the subject but this goes far beyond a typical early-elementary class on senses and is appropriate for interested middle school students as well.  

Students and I will interact regularly in the classroom.  Prior to each lesson, I will check in about any noticing from the last lesson and there will be a question to help the students get to know each other and start thinking about the material.  Each week will also include a guessing game using our senses. Besides posting their own answers, students should also reply to their fellow classmates.

An activity prompt and related classroom interaction will be introduced in each recorded lesson.  Sometimes students will brainstorm ideas that they will share in the classroom, discuss an activity or experiment, or otherwise share their learning.  Finally, each week I will post a link to an additional video showing an interesting real-world application or experiment and a discussion question related to the video.  

I will refer to these classroom interaction expectations during the recorded video lessons to make sure students are aware of the ways to participate.
Note: There is overlap between It's All in Your Head Part 1 and this class: the lessons on seeing, hearing, and smelling/tasting are offered in both. If your learner has already taken It's All in Your Head (Part 1), here is a link to Part 2 (which includes all 8 Senses lessons NOT covered in Part 1): https://outschool.com/classes/mini-med-school-flex-its-all-in-your-head-part-2-8IbdmdtH#usXhgNAFKP

WEEK 1: Intro to the 8 Senses

What are the eight senses and what do they do?

Prior to watching the recorded lesson, students will answer a getting-to-know you question in the classroom and participate in a topically relevant guessing game.  Learners will be given instructions for what to post for the rest of us to guess and also will reply to each other’s with guesses.

During the recorded lesson, students will learn about each sense and brainstorm how each of the eight senses helps them enjoy life and helps them stay safe.  I will pause during the lecture for them to think of ideas and then mention some of my ideas. Their own list will be the assignment that is turned in for this lesson.

After the lesson, students will respond to a prompt based on the material just covered. I will also post a video about synesthesia and students will watch the video and respond to a discussion question about the topic.  

Finally, I will remind students to notice the senses they use during the week so they can report back during the next class.

WEEK 2: Draw a Human Eye

Prior to the lesson, I will ask learners about what senses they noticed during the week and students will respond to a prompt in the classroom to get them thinking about the material.  They will also participate in a classroom guessing game about something they can see.  

During the lesson, we will draw the structures of a human eye and discuss how that allows us to see.

A link to a video about goggles that turn the world upside down will extend the learning and students will answer an additional question related to that video. 

Finally, I will remind students to notice specific aspects of how they use sight during the week so they can report back during the next class.

WEEK 3: Touch

Did you know that touch isn’t just one sense but a whole group of senses? 

Prior to the lesson, I will ask learners what they noticed during the week related to last week’s material and students will respond to a prompt in the classroom to get them thinking about this week’s topic.  They will also participate in a classroom guessing game about something they can feel

Students will be provided with instructions on how to make a device for measuring two point discrimination out of cardboard and toothpicks and I will demonstrate the concept during the lesson for them to complete.  During the lesson we will also explore the fascinating neuroscience of touch.  Students will collect a few household items and guess which one is which, based on feel.  

A link to a video showing people at an outdoor market trying out a temperature experiment will extend the learning and students will answer an additional question related to that video.

Finally, I will remind students to notice specific aspects of how they use touch during the week so they can report back during the next class.

WEEK 4: Proprioception

How do you know where your fingers are? Find out about the incredible sense of proprioception!

Prior to the lesson, I will ask learners what they noticed during the week related to last week’s material and students will respond to a prompt in the classroom to get them thinking about this week’s topic.  They will also participate in a classroom guessing game about proprioception in their daily lives.

During the lesson, we will trace proprioception to the brain and try out various activities to discover what proprioception allows us to do.  I will also demonstrate what it’s like to not have proprioception by showing a few things that I can’t do.   

A link to a video about a man living without proprioception will extend the learning and students will answer an additional question based on that video.

Finally, I will remind students to notice specific aspects of how they use proprioception during the week so they can report back during the next class.

WEEK 5: The Nose and Tongue

What is taste? What is smell? And how do they affect each other?

Prior to the lesson, I will ask learners what they noticed during the week related to last week’s material and students will respond to a prompt in the classroom to get them thinking about this week’s topic.  They will also participate in a classroom guessing game about something they can smell or taste 

During the lesson, students will need a fruit flavored candy (such as a jelly bean) or strongly flavored piece of fruit to try a taste/smell experiment along with me.  We will explore the internal anatomy of your head that allows your nose and tongue to work together to create smell, taste, and flavor.  We will explore how scientists disproved the theory that you only are able to experience certain tastes in certain parts of the tongue

A link to a video of kids trying food from around the world will be the starting point for a discussion about how past experiences and other senses affect flavor.  A bonus video that digs deeper into the topic with food experts will be available as an option but is not required as it may be beyond the interest of some learners.

Finally, I will remind students to notice specific aspects of how they use taste and smell during the week so they can report back during the next class.

WEEK 6: Interoception

Have you ever wondered how you know when you’re hungry? Interoception is the answer!

Prior to the lesson, I will ask learners what they noticed during the week related to last week’s material and students will respond to a prompt in the classroom to get them thinking about this week’s topicl.  They will also participate in a classroom guessing game about something they can feel in their bodies

During the recorded lesson, we will try various activities that help us notice all the different ways we can feel inside our body including our muscles and breathing.  

A link to a video about what happens when a person cannot feel pain will extend the learning and students will answer an additional question based on the video.

Finally, I will remind students to notice specific aspects of how they use interoception during the week so they can report back during the next class.

WEEK 7: The Ear and Hearing

How do we hear and where can it go wrong?

Prior to the lesson, I will ask learners what they noticed during the week related to last week’s material and students will respond to a prompt in the classroom to get them thinking about this week’s topic.  They will also participate in a classroom guessing game about something they can hear

During the recorded lesson, I'll use models to explain the anatomy of the ear and how we hear.  I will lead the students to draw the structure of the ear and label the parts.  Students will post their drawings in the classroom.

I'll post a video about designing spaces for people who are deaf and a video about cochlear implants and students will answer a related discussion question.

Finally, I will remind students to notice specific aspects of how they use hearing during the week so they can report back during the next class.

WEEK 8: The Vestibular System

What is the vestibular system and how can it lead to being dizzy or vertigo? Why are there rocks in your head?

Prior to the lesson, I will ask learners what they noticed during the week related to last week’s material and students will respond to a prompt in the classroom to get them thinking about this week’s topicl.  They will also participate in a classroom guessing game about the sensation of movement

During the recorded lesson, I will use models and movement to explain the anatomy of the ear that is used for our vestibular system and we will explore how the vestibular system affects our daily life.

A link to a video about ice skaters that demonstrates their response to spinning compared to a non-skaters will extend the learning and students will answer a discussion question in the classroom. 

Finally, I will remind students to notice specific aspects of how they use their vestibular system during the week.