Activity 9: The immune system role play
Objective:
• To demonstrate how the AIDS virus affects the body
Target Group:
• Students B5-B6, M1-M6
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, Diarrhea Bacteria.
Directions:
• Choose one student to come to the front of the class and play the part of the body. Have him/her wear the "Body" sign.
• Have 4 or 5 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 all of them will hold a ribbon/string forming 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 Diarrhea 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 sign. This person will have scissors and will cut the string /ribbon that is forming a circle around the body. The other diseases can now get near the body. The teacher and students should summarize together that if the immune system is weakened by AIDS, other diseases can attack and do damage to the body.