Lesson Plan

Subject: Health

Unit: Health

Grade: 2nd

Time Estimate: 35min.

Topic: Germs

TEKS: 4A, 4D
ELPS: 74.4.3B,
74.4.3C

Goal: TLW understand the ways germs are transmitted

TLW know various ways to help prevent the spread of germs

Objectives:
TLW identify what is a germ
TLW identify qualities of germs (i.e., small, unseen, gross, bad, etc.) during class
discussion
TLW list various places germs can be found during class discussion
TLW provide examples through class discussion ways to decrease the spread of
germs
TLW create their vision of a germ and sign a pledge to help decrease the spread of
germs
Materials/ Resources/ Technology needs:
Lotion, glitter (various colors), worksheets, pledge, scissors, glue, coloring supplies,
small (one inch diameter) Styrofoam ball covered with glitter (will represent your
germ), http://www.stopgerms.org/wpcontent/uploads/2013/03/GlitterGermsLessonPlan.pdf

Instructional Procedures
Focusing Event: The teacher will set up supplies at front of class. Lay out glitter and lotion.
Teacher should sneeze for dramatic effect hiding the germ ball until after sneeze. Act
surprised! Theres a germ!
Teaching/ Learning Procedures:
1. The teacher will explain that today were going to talk about germs and how germs
spread. Ask students what words they think of when they hear the word germ. After
students have answered, ask students where they think germs are or can be found.

Document responses on anchor chart. Explain to students that germs are everywhere
and can be spread quickly and that is what they will see today from this activity.
Remind students of acceptable behaviors during class activities.
2. The teacher will call up to the front one volunteer from each small group. Once all
students have come to the front, ask each volunteer to show the rest of the class their
hands. Explain to students that germs cannot be seen by the human eye.
3. Draw students attention to the glitter at the front and explain that for this activity, the
glitter will represent germs.
4. Apply lotion to each participants hands and instruct them to rub the lotion over their
whole hand but to NOT completely rub it in. The students should still be able to see
the lotion on the hands.
5. Pour glitter onto the palms of each participant and have him/her pat the glitter around
their hands. Draw students attention to the volunteers hand and ask if they are able
to see the germs now. The glitter will represent the germs.
6. Ask two small groups of students (maybe 5 -6) to stand and shake hands with the
volunteers. Then ask the remaining students to stand and begin shaking hands with
ALL classmates. Allow students to shake hands for a minimum of one minute.
Afterwards ask all students stop then look at their hands.
7. Instruct the whole class to look at their hands and ask by show of hands how many
students now have glitter on their hands.
8. Point out to students that even though we started out with only 4 or 5 students with
germs on their hands, that MANY of us now have germs on our hands. Explain that
germs behave in the same way; as we come into contact with others, germs can
spread from person to person without us seeing. Ask students if any of them touch
their desks, pencils, books, etc. and see if there were now germs on those items as
well. All the places, hands, books, desks, etc., all have germs living on them.
9. Ask students what some actions we could take to help minimize the spread of germs.
Answers should include washing hands, covering our mouths when we sneeze, etc.
Explain to students that one way to help stop spreading germs is to wash our hands
under warm water for 20 seconds with soap.
10.Hand out germ packets with pledge and germ creation activity and allow one table to
rise and wash hands. Students should work on packets while others are called to wash
hands.
Formative Check (ongoing or specific): monitor students participation during class
discussion and glitter activity.
Reteach (alternative used as needed): various ways germs are transmitted, ways to
decrease the spread of germs
Closure: Explain to students that although we cannot see germs, they are transmitted in
many different ways but that there are ways to help stop the spread of germs
Assessment/ Summative Evaluation: completed pledge to stop germs, informal small
group teacher facilitated discussion using SOLOM Teacher Observation Scale.
Modifications/ Notes: omit any students with skin sensitivities