Lesson 3: Microbe Madness

Grade Level: K-6
Suggested Time: 60 mins
Overview
Students will learn about microbes, explore various types, create a model of a microbe, and learn about illnesses associated with specific microbes.
Vocabulary
Objectives
Required Project Materials
Multimedia Resources
Optional Multimedia Resources
Before the Lesson/ Background Information
The Lesson
Part 1: Microbe Types
  1. Show “Germ Introduction” to students.
  2. Read stories about Germs then have class discussion/question and answer time.
  3. Discussion/Questions:
    a. Bacteria- tiny germs that are a made up of only one cell. That is really small! (We are made up of millions of cells). Common diseases bacteria cause:
    b. Viruses- also one-celled germs, but are much smaller than bacteria. Diseases viruses cause:
How do we prevent the spread of germs to other people?
    4. Students will create a blow painting with straws, watered down paint and paper. Students willadd mouth, nose and eyes when dry.
    5. Students can decide what type of disease their germ causes.
Part 2: Hygiene
  1. Discussion questions: 
                    prepare or eat food
                    treat a cut or wound
                    help someone who is sick
                    go to the bathroom
                    handle uncooked food (particularly raw meat, poultry or fish)
                    change a diaper
                    blow your nose
                    cough or sneeze
                    play with or touch a pet
                    handle garbage
                    help someone who is sick
                    Use warm or hot running water
                    Use soap
                    Wash all surfaces thoroughly, including wrists, palms, back of hands, fingers and under  
                    fingernails (if possible with a nail brush)
                    Rub hands together for at least 10 to 15 seconds (sing happy birthday song or similar)
                    When drying, begin with your forearms and work toward your hands and finger tips, and pat        
                     your skin rather then rubbing to avoid chapping and  cracking
                    Apply hand lotion after washing to help prevent and soothe dry skin
    2. Students will dip hands into Cocoa Powder and rub hands together to try and try to remove powder by brushing off.
    3. Have students rub hands on bread to see the residual Cocoa Powder left on hands. Explain to students that improper hand washing or no hand washing leaves many germs behind.
    4. Teacher will demonstrate the proper way to wash hands/use hand sanitizer after discussion/questions.
    5. Students will show teacher how to best watch their hands using the method the teacher demonstrates.
    6. Remind students to sing Happy Birthday all the way through when washing hands to make sure of cleanliness.
    7. Students will color a picture of a person washing hands (teachers choice) or glue pictures on construction paper of hands, soap, sink, and water drops.
    8. Alternatively, students can draw pictures about the methods to prevent the spread of germs.
Part 3: Microbe Models
  1. Show students pictures of viruses and bacteria.
  2. Remind students that colds and chicken pox are caused by viruses.
  3. Tell students that viruses are good at making people sick because they are designed to attach to other healthy cells.
  4. Students will create a virus model using Play-Doh and broken Q-tips.
  5. Teacher may add small pieces of Play-Doh onto Q-tips to demonstrate viruses attacking various or many cells.
Accommodations
Modifications