Standard of Learning

2.3  The student will describe the influences and factors that impact health and wellness. Key concepts/skills include:

1. heredity;
2. the environment;
3. germs and diseases;
4. different customs and traditions;
5. self-image related to personal success;
6. disappointment, loss, grief, and separation.

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Understanding the Standard

The student will understand how germs are spread and how to protect themselves from diseases.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

The student will:

• describe germs and how germs are spread. (germs can make you sick and are everywhere – in the air, on objects you touch, in the water you drink, on the food you eat, etc.)
• identify how germs enter the body. (through the mouth, nose, or broken skin)
• describe ways to prevent the spread of germs. (wash hands, don’t share drinks, use tissues, and cover your mouth when coughing)
• determine how one gets well if a germ has made you sick. (the body has defenses to fight germs)

Sample Lessons

An Ounce of Prevention
Provides information on some simple things individuals can do to prevent getting sick. Background information on infectious diseases, personal hygiene, taking care of pets, antibiotic use, food borne illness and immunizations are also provided.
Sponsor: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Contact: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/op/index.htm
Free

Bacterial Growth
Describes the influences and factors that impact health and well-being, including germs and diseases. Students conduct an experiment in which they grow bacteria from their hands.
Sponsor: Virginia Department of Education
Bacterial_Growth.pdf
Free

Be a Germstopper
Encourages healthy habits to prevent the spread of illness in schools and at home. Provides links and resources for teachers on food safety, hand washing, the flu and nutrition.
Sponsor: CDC
Contact: http://www.cdc.gov/germstopper/index.htm
Free

Fun with Handwashing Education
Grades: K-4
Primary prevention of contagious diseases includes teaching young children about personal hygiene behaviors. There are five key times to wash hands with soap and water: BEFORE eating, AFTER sneezing or coughing, AFTER playing outdoors, AFTER playing with pets, and AFTER using the toilet. This lesson presents a variety of fun and low-cost techniques for handwashing education.
Sponsor: Ask Eric
Contact: http://www.eduref.org (select lesson plans – health – process skills)
Free

Germs, Germs Everywhere!
Grades: K-2
Students learn how to properly wash their hands. Students learn how germs affect their bodies.
Sponsor: Ask Eric
Contact: http://www.eduref.org (select lesson plans – health – process skills)
Free

Glo Germ
Hand washing lesson plan that teaches about disease transmission, germs and how frequent hand washing helps to prevent illness.
Sponsor: Glo Germ
Contact: http://www.glogerm.com
Free

Texas Department of Health
This lesson will help children recognize that personal health decisions and behaviors affect health throughout life. Following this lesson students will be able to identify and practice personal health habits that help individuals stay healthy. Sponsor: Texas Department of Health
Contact: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/kids/lessonplans/default.shtm
Free

Wash the Germs Away
This kit covers the difference between bacteria and viruses, the spread of disease, hand washing and the proper use of antibiotics. Includes activities, worksheets, a quiz, pictures and coloring sheets.
Sponsor: California Medical Association
Contact: http://www.aware.md/Education/childcare_docs/handwashingPacketFinal.pdf
Free

Oral Health Education: Saving Smiles Series- “Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body”
Grade:  2
Lesson Plan (1) Identify the parts of the oral cavity that are involved in the digestive system. (SOL 2.1c)
Lesson Plan (2) Develop an awareness of the long-term effects of choosing nutritious foods and beverages for a healthy life and self image. (SOL 2.2a, 2.3e)
Lesson Plan (3) Describe plaque and its impact on dental diseases and self image.(SOL 2.3c, 2.3e)
Lesson Plan (4) Identify the roles of oral health professionals met during a dental visit. (SOL 2.4a)
Lesson Plan (5) with regular dental check-ups. (SOL 2.2c)
Lesson Plan (6) Describe the effects on the body of using drugs, alcohol and tobacco products. (SOL 2.2b)
Sponsor: Virginia Department of Health, Division of Dental Health
Contact:  http://www.vahealth.org/teeth/OralHealthEducation.asp (curriculum resources)
Free

Additional Instructional Resources

• Do Bugs Need Drugs? - http://www.dobugsneeddrugs.org/teachers/index.html
• Get Smart Virginia - http://www.vdh.state.va.us/epi/getsmart/index.asp
• http://www.healthteacher.com
• Henry the Hand - http://henrythehand.com
• Illness & Disease – http://www.pbs.org/teachersource/(health & fitness k-2)
• National Health Service, UK - http://www.buginvestigators.co.uk/
• Save the Antibiotic - http://www.savetheantibiotic.com/public_html/index2/index2.html
• Teaching Children About Health, A Multidisciplinary Approach -http://www.morton-pub.com
• Virginia Department of Health – Antibiotic Worksheets -Antibiotic_Worksheets.pdf
• Virginia Department of Health – Antibiotic Pretest -Antibiotic_Pretest.pdf

Assessment Ideas

The student will:

• describe germs and how germs are spread.
• keep a one-week log of ways they prevented the spread of germs at home and at school.

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