Germs cause disease

Preparation:
· Students are helped to conceptualize the definition of "germs" and understand their role in causing disease.

· This may be accomplished through one or more of the following:
- A story about a child with a cold who had to stay home from school.
- A demonstration using a spray bottle filled with water to show how sneezes and coughs could spread colds.
- A detailed explanation of germs and what they are.

· These activities contribute to student's understanding simple concepts of germs, disease transmission and prevention.

Lesson Objectives:
After the lesson the students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the correct method of hand washing.

2. Explain how hand washing can help prevent the spread of germs and disease.

3. List some materials especially likely to carry germs that should not be touched.
· Remind students that germs are so small that people cannot see them.

· Spread vegetable oil across the palms of student volunteers by rubbing them together. Shake on ground cinnamon to represent "germs".

· Have students try to wash off their hands using cold water. (They can't. Most of the germs remain.)

· Students wash their hands again with warm soapy water. (Most of the germs are easily washed away.)

· Recommend that the students wash their hands before meals, after going to the bathroom and after playing even if they don't look dirty.

· Remind students not to put their hands into their mouth. This is one of the ways that germs can get inside the body. Have the students think about the number of times a day that their hands come near their mouth.

· Instruct students not to touch certain things that are especially likely to carry disease-causing germs, including animal feces; things in or around trash or garbage cans; or anyone else's blood.

· If a schoolmate is hurt or bleeding students should call an adult for help.
** In this lesson there was no mention of AIDS but it does relate to the conceptual foundation that students must have to understand AIDS prevention when they are older. Basic principals of hygiene were reinforced. The students saw that personal efforts - in this case, hand washing - could help protect their health and well being.

The information about not touching blood was provided because of the possibility of AIDS transmission. It is also a good hygiene guide to avoid direct contact with other people's blood.

Adapted from: Does AIDS Hurt, by Marcia Quackenbush and Sylvia Villarreal