3
Explain

Staying Healthy

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

Learning Goals

Students will be able to:

Big Question

"What can we do to stop germs from spreading?"

Materials Needed

  • Spray bottle with water (for sneeze demonstration)
  • Paper to catch "sneeze" droplets
  • Pictures of healthy habits
  • Paper and crayons

Circle Time: Review (3 min)

Teacher Says:

"We learned how germs spread with our glitter game. Today we are going to learn what we can DO to stop germs from spreading. We can be germ stoppers!"

Activity 1: The Sneeze Spray (8 min)

Demonstration:

  1. Hold up the spray bottle: "This is like a sneeze!"
  2. Spray into the air (away from students): "See all the tiny drops?"
  3. Hold paper in front and spray: "The drops land on the paper!"
  4. Now spray into your elbow: "Where do the drops go?"
Discovery: "When we sneeze, tiny drops fly out of our nose and mouth. Those drops can have germs! When we sneeze into our elbow, the drops stay on our sleeve instead of floating in the air."

Activity 2: Healthy Habits Stations (12 min)

Practice Each Habit:

1. Cover Your Cough

Practice coughing into the elbow (the "vampire cough"). Say "Ah-choo!" into your elbow!

2. Wash Your Hands

Review: Wet, soap, scrub 20 seconds (sing ABC), rinse, dry. Practice the motions!

3. Do Not Touch Your Face

Germs on hands get in through eyes, nose, and mouth. Practice keeping hands away from face!

4. Stay Home When Sick

If you feel sick, staying home keeps germs from spreading to friends!

Movement Break: Healthy Habits Song (3 min)

Sing to "If You're Happy and You Know It":

"If you have to sneeze, use your elbow! (sneeze motion)
If you have to sneeze, use your elbow! (sneeze motion)
If you have to sneeze, then your elbow you should squeeze,
If you have to sneeze, use your elbow! (sneeze motion)"

Repeat with: "If your hands are dirty, wash them clean!"

Activity 3: Draw a Healthy Habit (4 min)

Give students paper and crayons. Ask them to draw themselves doing one healthy habit:

  • Washing hands
  • Sneezing into elbow
  • Keeping hands away from face
  • Staying home when sick

Wrap-Up Circle (2 min)

Ask Students:

  • "Where do we cough or sneeze?" (Into our elbow!)
  • "Why not our hands?" (We touch things with our hands!)
  • "What are other ways to stop germs?" (Wash hands, stay home when sick)

Key Takeaway

We can stop germs from spreading! Cough into your elbow, wash your hands, keep hands away from your face, and stay home when you are sick. These habits keep us and our friends healthy!

Teacher Tips

Spray Bottle Demo

Add a tiny drop of food coloring to the water so the "sneeze" is more visible on paper.

Practice Often

Reinforce these habits daily. Praise students when you see them coughing into elbows!

← Lesson 2 Lesson 4: Helping Others Stay Well →