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  • Grades 3-5
  • Visual Arts
  • English & Literature
  • Japan

Oceans: A Sensory Haiku
How does sensory imagery connect you to a time and place?

In this 3-5 lesson, students will illustrate self-portraits to identify their senses. They will take a virtual field trip to the ocean to explore a sensory experience. Students will write a haiku poem about the ocean, bringing science and creative writing together as one.

 

Lesson Content

Learning Objectives 

Students will: 

  • Identify and describe the five senses. 
  • Organize information using a visual map.
  • Describe the ocean using sensory imagery. 
  • Describe the constant change that occurs at an ocean shoreline through erosion and deposition.
  • Write a sensory haiku about the virtual ocean visit.

 

Standards Alignment

 

Recommended Student Materials

Editable DocumentsBefore sharing these resources with students, you must first save them to your Google account by opening them, and selecting “Make a copy” from the File menu. Check out Sharing Tips or Instructional Benefits when implementing Google Docs and Google Slides with students.

Video

Books: The recommended books for this lesson are suggestions and can be exchanged for other haiku poem books available at your public library, school library, personal collection, or digital book resource.

  • by Jane Yolen
  • (Jane Yolen)
  • by Pamela Michael and Robert Hass

Websites

Additional Materials

  • Sand (optional)
  • Saltwater (optional)
  • Seashells (optional)
  • Sea plants (optional)

 

Teacher Background

Teachers should review the videos and websites prior to teaching the lesson. 

 

Student Prerequisites 

Students should be able to identify their five senses.  

 

Accessibility Notes 

Adaptive ocean sensory resources can be used for students with disabilities. Explore the videos, 360° photos, paintings, and physical adaptations (sand, saltwater, seashells, and sea plants) to determine the best sensory experience for your students. Modify handouts, text, and utilize assistive technologies as needed. Provide preferential seating for visual presentations and allow extra time for task completion.

  • Original Writer

    Mary Beth Bauernschub

  • Adaptation

    Carol Parenzan Smalley

  • Editor

    JoDee Scissors

  • Updated

    July 23, 2021

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Kennedy Center Education Digital Learning

Eric Friedman 
Director, Digital Learning

Kenny Neal 
Manager, Digital Education Resources

Tiffany A. Bryant 
Manager, Operations and Audience Engagement

JoDee Scissors 
Content Specialist, Digital Learning

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