2
Explore

The Glitter Game

Duration
30 minutes
Type
Explore
Standards
1-LS1-1, 2.MD.D.9

Learning Goals

Students will be able to:

Big Question

"How do germs get from one person to another?"

Materials Needed

  • Fine glitter (biodegradable if possible)
  • Lotion or hand cream
  • Wet wipes or access to sink
  • Small containers for glitter
  • Towels or paper towels

Circle Time: Introduction (5 min)

Teacher Says:

"We learned that germs are too small to see. But today we are going to play a game where we pretend glitter is germs! The glitter will help us SEE how germs spread from one person to another. Are you ready to be germ detectives?"

Activity: The Glitter Game (18 min)

Setup:

  1. Put a little lotion on one student's hands (the "sick" person)
  2. Sprinkle glitter on their lotion-covered hands
  3. Have students rub hands together to spread the glitter

The Game:

  1. Round 1: The "sick" student shakes hands with 2 classmates
    Check: Do the friends have glitter now? (Yes!)
  2. Round 2: Those students each shake hands with 2 more classmates
    Check: How many people have glitter now? Count together!
  3. Round 3: Keep going until many students have glitter
    Count: How many people have "germs" now?

Other Ways Glitter Spreads:

  • Touch the doorknob - check for glitter!
  • Touch a book - is there glitter?
  • Touch your face - oh no, glitter on your face!
Wow Moment: "Look how fast the glitter spread! One person had glitter, and now so many people do. This is EXACTLY how real germs spread!"

Discussion: What Did We Learn? (5 min)

Talk About It:

  • "How did the glitter spread?"
    By touching hands, touching things, touching our faces
  • "Did everyone have to touch the 'sick' person?"
    No! They got glitter from touching someone who touched someone...
  • "What if we could not see the glitter?"
    We would not know who has it! Just like real germs!
Connection: "Real germs spread the same way, but we cannot see them. That is why we need to wash our hands - even when they LOOK clean!"

Clean Up: Wash Away the Glitter! (2 min)

Handwashing Time:

"Now let us wash away all the 'germs'! Use soap and water and scrub for 20 seconds. Can you get ALL the glitter off?"

This shows that soap and water really does remove germs (glitter)!

Wrap-Up Circle (2 min)

Ask Students:

  • "How do germs spread?" (By touching!)
  • "Did everyone have to touch the sick person?" (No!)
  • "How can we stop germs from spreading?" (Wash our hands!)
  • "Were you surprised how fast the glitter spread?"

Key Takeaway

Germs spread very quickly from person to person through touching. One sick person can spread germs to many, many people. Washing our hands stops germs from spreading!

Teacher Tips

Glitter Tips

Use fine glitter and lotion for best effect. Have towels ready! Consider doing this near a sink or outside.

Math Connection

Count how many people get glitter each round. Graph it! This shows exponential spread in a simple way.

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