Hand Washing Lesson Plan Grade 4

Objective ? Discuss how daily practices can affect their appearance, health and acceptance

by other people. ? Students will be able to describe the four (4) ways germs can spread.

Lesson Time Frame Approximately 30 minutes

General Principles ? Germs are so small that you cannot see them and they are found almost

everywhere. ? There are many types of germs such as bacteria and viruses. ? Bacteria and viruses can cause illnesses and diseases such as colds, influenza,

pneumonia, hepatitis A and Shigellosis. ? Washing your hands is the best prevention against these illnesses and disease!

How To Wash Your Hands ? Use warm, running water and soap ? Rub hands together to make bubbles for at least 20 seconds ? Scrub underneath the fingernails ? Rinse your hands with running water ? Always use a clean towel or hand dryer to dry your hands ? If you use a paper towel, throw it in the trash

When To Wash Your Hands ? Before preparing, eating or touching food or drink ? After going to the bathroom ? After coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose

? After playing with animals or handling money

? After cleaning your room

Importance of Hand Washing ? Illnesses and diseases caused by bacteria and viruses can be very serious and

can even cause death if not properly treated. ? Germs can be spread 4 ways:

1) Fecal-oral contact (hepatitis A and Shigellosis) 2) Direct or close contact 3) Blood contact (HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B) 4) Respiratory/airborne contact (influenza and colds)

Learning Activity Conduct a hand washing poster contest. Po sters should be fun, educational and motivational to inspire students to always wash their hands. The posters can be displayed in the classroom or school lobby to promote public health week in April or during colds and flu season.

Assessment ? Student will satisfactorily complete a poster on hand washing. ? Student will correctly complete the word scramble activity sheet.

Additional Information ? The hand-washing message needs to be reinforced several times throughout the

day, especially before lunch and after going to the bathroom. Teach by example! ? Distribute the attached hand washing information sheet “It’s Up To You To Stop

The Flu”. ? Make copies of the attached word scramble activity sheet for children to

complete. Answers to the activity sheet are provided below.

Answers to Word Scramble Activity MGSER germs SVURI virus DSNHA hands TRWAE water SAPO soap SEAIDSE disease CIBAEATR bacteria TLEHAHY healthy

Harris County

HCPHESPublic Health & Environmental Services

HCPHESRev. March 2008

Everyone has lots of germs on their hands. Most of them won't hurt you. But some of them can make you sick if you touch your eyes, mouth, nose or cuts on your body. When you forget to wash your hands, you can spread germs to other people.

You can also pick up germs from things you touch. Think about all the things you touch each day. Now think about how many people may have touched these things before you. If they are not good hand washers, you may have picked up their germs. Yuck! Washing our hands is the best way to keep from getting germs from other people.

Before you...

After you...

Harris County

HCPHESPublic Health & Environmental Services

HCPHESRev. March 2008

HAND WASHING WORD SCRAMBLE

Harris County

HCPHESPublic Health & Environmental Services

HCPHESRev. March 2008