Course Description
See Reviews of Instructor Dr. Karen Joseph
Learn about the five senses in this online science class for elementary and middle school students.
Our senses are “sensational”! They help us collect information about the world around us, as well as about ourselves. In this 7 week mini-course, we will use lots of hands-on activities, experiments, video, audio and text lessons, fun facts, frequent learning checks, games and more to learn about the five senses.
We will learn about the structure of the eye, and how it works with the brain to help us see. In addition, we will become familiar with the internal and external structures of the ears and nose, and learn how they help us hear, stay balanced, and smell things. We’ll learn about the many structures throughout the body that help us feel the things we come into contact with. Last but not least, we will learn about taste buds, so be sure and come to class with an appetite.
Course Structure
During our live class, we review content from the previous week using review questions and games, and we go over anything for which students need additional support. Although it is always best if students attend the live classes, I will post the recording of the class so that students who can’t attend can watch later.
The rest of the week is a focus on new content. Students read the lesson, listen to audio, watch any videos, and do experiments and activities or watch videos of the experiments and activities. I use many audio and video recordings to help students learn the correct pronunciation of new terms as well as to reinforce content. Most lessons end with a learning check to see how well the student understood the content.
Students should try to do as many of the experiments/activities as possible, since science is best learned by doing. Most students report spending about 30 minutes per day on the lessons.
- Week 1 – Introduction to the nervous system and the senses
- Week 2 – Vision: Structure and function of the eyeball and structures around the eyeball
- Week 3 – Sense of Hearing: Structure and function of the inside and outside of the ear
- Week 4 – Sense of Smell: Structure and function of the inside and outside of the nose
- Week 5 – Sense of Taste: Structure and function of the sense organs associated with taste
- Week 6 – Sense of Touch: Structure and function of the sense organs associated with touch
- Week 7- Putting it All Together: Balance, animal senses, and how our senses work together
Who should enroll?
This course is for all students in grades 4–8 who are curious and like active, hands-on learning, and want to know more about the ways their bodies interact with the world.
Technology Requirements
- High speed, broadband Internet
- Sound card and microphone (for live sessions)
- Streaming video capabilities to watch recorded lectures
Evaluation and Feedback
I typically grade every day or two, and it is my goal to respond to student questions within 24 hours.
Communication
I welcome any and all communication from students and parents. I want to partner with you in your student’s education, so if at any time you have questions or concerns, my virtual door is open.
Michelle B. –
I absolutely loved how organized and well laid out the content was. I was impressed with how many scientific vocab words were introduced and how strategically you taught – repeating them in various formats so that students remembered them. As a visual & hands on learner with dyslexia, I appreciated all the photos and videos as well as the voice recorders of you reading the content. That was a huge plus for us. The live classes were also very interactive and engaging.
I am truly grateful that we discovered your courses at the last minute. I love that you offer the mini courses for the younger grades. It was the perfect amount of commitment time to keep my child’s interest in the content. Your enthusiasm for Science and teaching continued to spark curiosity and wonder in my child for learning. She would often eagerly ask us “Did you know….” and then provide fascinating facts she learned from you. As a parent, I also appreciated your specific feedback on her work. Because she struggles in certain traditional academics due to dyslexia and processing, your comments continued to help build her confidence. I am grateful!
Logan B. –
Everything was great. I really enjoyed the class. I liked that it wasn’t all just facts but a lot of fun too.
A. K. –
Dr. Joseph has helped me improve as a student by making her lessons very interesting and always being open to questions. She makes science come alive she always encourages me to think. She says questions lead to learning, so I should never stop questioning. When we had a lesson where the book contradicted the popular thought about something, Dr. Joseph went way above and beyond to research this topic and explain to me all the myriad complexities of the issue. It was fascinating. I really appreciated her effort. Not many teachers would have gone so far to satisfy the curiosity of one student.
K.W. –
Dr. Joseph has made learning such a fun and enjoyable experience for me this year. She uses her creativity to make the lessons more understandable and fun. I am really enjoying her class this year! She makes videos of experiments she’s performed, she uses pictures and diagrams to give us a visual of what she’s teaching, and she is always there and willing to help.
A.G. –
Dr. Joseph always encourages me and tells me what I’m doing well. I started school late and had to make up a lot of work. Because of her encouraging me and always telling me to do my best, I got everything completed and was caught up with my class in less than 2 weeks. She shows us lots of videos that are found online or she will make videos for experiments. She also had us do a lot of creative activities.
T.H. –
Dr. Joseph is one of the better teachers I have had this year. She was very thorough with her lessons and she knows what she’s talking about. She always tries to include humor in her lessons. She’s very responsive to what we have to say or if we have any concerns. She was just an all-around good teacher.
P.S. –
Dr. Joseph is my human anatomy and physiology teacher, and I honestly have to say that it is one of my favorite classes. I have learned so much, and I continue to learn from her lessons each day. Her teaching abilities are great, and the style she uses makes me understand the lesson. There isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t walk around the house stating “did you know” facts that I learned in her class. She brings a completely new meaning to “you learn something new everyday.” She has made a huge difference in my life. I think the main reason I like this class is because of who she is. Anyone can teach me the exact same lessons. But she makes me want to learn those lessons and want to explore them on my own. You may not want to learn, but I guarantee that Dr. Joseph will teach you in a way that you have not seen before.
S.P. –
Dr. Joseph has helped me improve as a student by asking insightful questions. She asks questions that make you apply what you have just learned to real life situations and her questions make you think through what you have learned. When she teaches she doesn’t just give lectures. Instead she has interesting projects, she explains everything thoroughly, makes connections, and even videotapes herself performing lab experiments. She has opened my eyes to the world of the human body. Through her teaching I’m realizing that the human body is very complex and intricate. This realization has brought me to an appreciation for how our bodies function.
A.N. –
Dr. Joseph congratulates you when you succeed and helps you to understand when you don’t. Dr. Joseph cares about each of her students and is open to discussions about things we agree or disagree on. Dr Joseph is willing, helpful, and kind-hearted.