1
Engage

What Are Germs?

Duration
30 minutes
Type
Engage
Standards
1-LS1-1, 2-LS4-1

Learning Goals

Students will be able to:

Big Question

"What makes us get sick? What are germs?"

Materials Needed

  • Pictures of germs from microscopes (colorful, friendly looking)
  • Stuffed animal or puppet
  • Paper and crayons
  • Magnifying glasses

Circle Time: When Have You Been Sick? (5 min)

Teacher Says:

"Raise your hand if you have ever had a cold. What about a tummy ache? What about a fever? Being sick does not feel good, does it? Today we are going to learn about WHY we get sick sometimes. It is because of tiny, tiny things called GERMS!"

Activity 1: Meet the Germs (10 min)

Key Points to Share:

  • Germs are very, very tiny
    "Remember when we learned about things too small to see? Germs are even smaller than dust!"
  • Germs are alive
    "They are tiny living things. They can grow and make more germs."
  • Some germs make us sick
    "When germs get inside our bodies, some of them can make us feel bad - like giving us a runny nose or a cough."
  • Germs are everywhere
    "Germs live on our hands, on doorknobs, on toys, everywhere! But do not worry - we can wash them away!"
Reassure: "Not all germs are bad! Some germs actually help us. But today we are learning about the ones that make us sick."

Activity 2: What Do Germs Look Like? (8 min)

Show Microscope Pictures:

Display colorful, age-appropriate microscope images of germs. Keep the tone curious, not scary!

  • "Scientists use special tools called microscopes to take pictures of germs."
  • "Look at all the different shapes! Some are round like balls. Some are long like sticks."
  • "Germs come in many shapes and colors!"
Draw Activity: "Now let us draw our own pretend germs! Make them any shape and color you want!"

Activity 3: Where Are the Germs? (5 min)

Discussion Game:

Ask: "Do you think there are germs on..."

  • The doorknob? (Yes! Lots of people touch it)
  • Your hands? (Yes! We touch everything)
  • Toys at school? (Yes! Many friends share them)
  • The ceiling? (Probably not many - no one touches it!)
  • Your lunchbox? (Yes! We touch it with our hands)
Key Insight: "Germs live on things we touch a lot! That is why washing our hands is so important!"

Movement Break: Germ Song (2 min)

Sing to "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes":

"Germs are tiny, can't be seen, can't be seen!
Germs are tiny, can't be seen, can't be seen!
They live on our hands and spread around,
Germs are tiny, can't be seen, can't be seen!"

Wave hands, look at them with pretend magnifying glass!

Wrap-Up Circle (2 min)

Ask Students:

  • "What are germs?" (Tiny living things we cannot see)
  • "Can we see germs with our eyes?" (No! They are too small)
  • "Where do germs live?" (On things we touch)
  • "What can germs do?" (Some can make us sick)

Key Takeaway

Germs are tiny living things we cannot see. They live on things we touch. Some germs can make us sick, but we can wash them away with soap and water!

Teacher Tips

Keep It Friendly

Use curious, non-scary language. We want children to understand germs, not be afraid of them!

Image Resources

Search for "cartoon germs for kids" or "friendly germ illustrations" for age-appropriate images.

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