Standard of Learning

K.2 The student will explain the concept of being healthy. Key concepts/skills include:

1. positive and negative emotions that affect physical health (e.g., anger, sadness, fear, frustration, happiness, pride);
2. personal hygiene practices (e.g., tooth brushing, flossing, hand washing, grooming);
3. germs (e.g., bacteria, viruses) that lead to common diseases (e.g., cold, flu).

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Understanding the Standard

The student will understand that germs can make them sick.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

The student will:

• define a germ. (tiny living things that can make you sick)
• describe how to protect oneself from germs. (wash your hands often - especially after using the bathroom or before eating; keep your fingers and objects (pencil) out of your eyes, mouth, and nose; and do not share your friend's drink)
• identify how to protect others from germs. (cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough)
• define disease. (when germs make you ill and you do not have good health)
• discuss what to do if you feel sick and ways to recover from an illness. (tell an adult you do not feel well; see a doctor if you need to; take medicines your parents give you; get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids)

Sample Lessons

Oral Health Education: Saving Smiles Series- “Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body”
Grade:  K
Lesson Plan (1) Explain why brushing teeth is an important daily task. (SOL K.2b and c)
Lesson Plan (2) Discuss which people in the community can answer questions about teeth. (SOL K.4b)
Sponsor: Virginia Department of Health, Division of Dental Health
Contact:  http://www.vahealth.org/teeth/OralHealthEducation.asp (curriculum resources)
Free

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

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

Hand Washing and Germs
Interdisciplinary lesson plan to explain the concept of being healthy.
Sponsor: Virginia Department of Health
Kindergarten_Hand_Washing.pdf
Free

Stan the Superbug
All ages
Stan the Superbug educates children about antibiotic resistance.  Due to misuse, many common antibiotics are becoming ineffective which could result in epidemics of “superbugs” or strains of bacteria that resist drugs in the future.  Stans and Stellas (actors and actresses in “Superbug” costumes) come to a  classroom and provide a fun, interactive skit educating children about saving antibiotic strength. This program includes handouts and giveaways.
Sponsor: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Contact: Call 1-866-782-6284 or go tohttp://www.anthem.com/jsp/antiphona/bcbs/content.jsp?ID=PW_039612&site=bcbs&role=member&state=VA
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

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
• 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
• Virginia Department of Health – Hand Washing Handout -Kindergarten_Hand_Washing.pdf
• "Wash Away the Germs" - http://www.healthteacher.com

Assessment Ideas

The student will:

• demonstrate the proper ways to wash hands.
• explain how to protect themselves and others from germs.
• discuss what to do if they feel sick.

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