Exploring Perspective through Observation

Welcome/Ice Breaker

Today we’re going to think like scientists. Scientists use their bodies (eyes, ears, noses and hands) to observe the world. 

• How do our eyes help us to learn? 
• What do our ears do? 
• What about our noses? 

Look at something very close. Now, look at something far away. Did it look the same of different? What changed? (Perspective) 

Compare views from sitting, standing, or lying on the floor.

Stand up tall. Now sit on the floor. Did the room look the same from those two places? What changed?

When you were standing, you were looking at the room from a different perspective than where you are on the floor. 

Opening Activity

Show a photograph of a cat.

Let’s use those scientist eyes. What do you notice about the cat? Possible responses: fur, size, four legs, eyes, whiskers, nose, ears, tail.

Share an image of a dog. The dog also has fur, four legs, eyes, nose… but its tail is different, and its ears are often different. Do you think a dog sees the world in the same way that a cat does? Why?

Share an image of a mouse. A mouse is much smaller than a dog and a cat. What would a dog/cat look like to a mouse? Or how does the mouse see the cat?

Read We All Saw a Cat by Brendan Wenzel aloud. During the reading, pause to highlight perspective:

• What do you notice about how the dog sees the cat?
• How is the mouse’s view different? 
  • model: "I notice the mouse is tiny and close to the ground. I think the cat might look huge to the mouse. I wonder if the mouse feels scared."
• Pause on the bird page to point out the other animals in the illustration.
• What might be important for the bee to notice that the dog would not?
• Why might the bee see a lot of shapes?

Encourage conversation about size differences, shapes, colors, distance, and feelings the animals may be experiencing. In noticing patterns and differences, promote scientific thinking.

Scientists compare what they notice. You are already thinking like scientists.

Direct Instruction

Divide children into small groups. Give each group an animal photograph.

Each group has a different animal. Pretend that you are that animal. Think about how big you are, where you live, and how you move.

Discussion Prompts:

• Are you big or small?
• Do you go up high or stay close to the ground?
• What do you think is important for you to notice in the world? (avoid danger, seek food or shelter)
• How might you see a cat?

Guided Practice

Scientists show their ideas by drawing. Use your picture to show how your animal might see a cat.

Differentiated prompts for each group:

• Bird: Birds often fly high in the sky. What does the world look like when you up high? Would the cat look tiny or big?
• Mouse: Mice are very small live close to the ground. What would a cat look like to a mouse? 
• Fish: Fish live underwater. Have you ever looked through water? What would a cat look like to a fish?
• Dog: Dogs run fast and notice movement and smells. What do you think would stand out to a dog?
• Bee: Bee eyes see lots of tiny shapes. What would a cat look like if it was lots of little shapes?

Circulate and support drawing with reflective questions.

Wrap-Up/Closure

Let’s look at our drawings together. Even though all of you drew the same cat, the pictures look different. That is because every one, and every animal, has a different perspective.