The immune system role play

Objective:
· To demonstrate how the AIDS virus affects the body

Target Group:
· Primary School Students Grades 5-6, Secondary School Students

Materials:
· Cardboard or stiff paper, markers, string, scissors

Preparation:
· Use the cardboard or stiff paper and markers to make signs: AIDS virus, Body, Pneumonia Virus, Influenza Virus, Diarrhoea Bacteria.

Directions:
· Choose one student to come to the front of the classroom and play the part of the body. Have him/her wear the "Body" sign.

· Have four or five students come forward to play the part of the immune system, (white blood cells), that will come to protect the body. They should stand around the body and hold a ribbon or string to form a circle around the body. Explain to the students that the white blood cells are like a barrier against diseases that invade the body.

· Have the 3 students wearing the signs Pneumonia Virus, Influenza Virus, and Diarrhoea Bacteria come and try to enter the protective circle around the body. Have the white blood cells move around to protect the body from invasion.

· Now have one more person (could be the teacher) wear the AIDS virus sign. This person will have scissors and will cut the string or ribbon that is forming the circle around the body. The other diseases can now get near the body. The teacher and the students should summarize together that if the immune system is weakened by AIDS, other diseases can attack and do damage to the body.