Lesson Plan
Germ Detectives Guide
Students will become 'germ detectives' by identifying common hotspots for germs in their environment and practicing effective hygiene techniques to eliminate them.
Teaching students where germs hide and how to remove them empowers them to adopt lifelong healthy habits, reducing illness spread in school and at home.
Audience
3rd Grade Students
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Detective-themed exploration, interactive hunt, charting, and personal pledge.
Prep
Gather and Review Materials
10 minutes
- Print copies of Germ Spotting Chart Worksheet and One New Habit Pledge Card
- Assemble Classroom Germ Hunt Materials for each team (UV flashlights, “germ” stickers)
- Load the Hidden Germs Presentation on the classroom screen
- Review the Germ Detectives Guide steps and key vocabulary as needed
Step 1
Introduction: What Are Germs?
5 minutes
- Ask students: What do you think germs are and where they live?
- Define germs as tiny organisms that can make us sick
- Show the cover slide of Hidden Germs Presentation
- Differentiation: Provide picture cards for English language learners to illustrate germs and hygiene terms
Step 2
Explore Hidden Germs
10 minutes
- Continue through Hidden Germs Presentation, highlighting common hotspots (door handles, desks, electronics)
- Ask students to share additional places germs might hide at home or school
- Differentiation: Use partner talk to support students who need language modeling
Step 3
Classroom Germ Hunt
15 minutes
- Divide students into small teams and give each team the Classroom Germ Hunt Materials
- Teams search assigned areas with UV flashlights and “germ” stickers to simulate finding germs
- Record findings on the Germ Spotting Chart Worksheet
- Assessment: Observe team recordings and offer real-time feedback
- Differentiation: Form mixed-ability teams so peers can support each other
Step 4
Discuss Findings
5 minutes
- Reconvene and have each team share their top germ hotspots
- Discuss effective cleaning methods for these areas
- Assessment: Ask guiding questions (e.g., Why is it important to clean door handles?) to check understanding
- Differentiation: Provide sentence starters (e.g., ‘We found germs on ___ because…’) for students who need writing support
Step 5
One New Habit Pledge
10 minutes
- Distribute the One New Habit Pledge Card
- Students write or draw one new hygiene habit they will adopt (e.g., washing hands before lunch)
- Invite volunteers to share their pledges with the class
- Assessment: Review pledge cards to ensure habits are specific and actionable
- Differentiation: Allow students to draw their pledge if writing is challenging
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Slide Deck
Hidden Germs
Welcome, Germ Detectives!
Today we will learn where germs hide and how we can keep ourselves healthy.
Welcome students and introduce today’s detective adventure. Encourage excitement about finding hidden germs.
What Are Germs?
• Germs are tiny living things we can’t see without a microscope.
• Some germs can make us sick if we touch them and then touch our eyes, nose, or mouth.
Question: Can you name a time you washed your hands today?
Ask students if they have heard the word “germs” before. Use simple everyday examples to connect.
Germ Vocabulary
Bacteria: One-celled germ that can grow fast and sometimes make us sick.
Virus: Tiny germ that needs a living cell to grow and can cause colds or flu.
Microscope: A tool that makes tiny things look bigger so we can see germs.
Define key terms and show simple pictures if available. Check for understanding by asking volunteers to repeat definitions.
Where Do Germs Hide?
Think of places you touch every day.
Where might germs be hiding right now?
• Door handles
• Tablet screens
• Desks
• Water faucets
Engage students: have them point around the room or call out places they think might be germy.
Common Germ Hotspots
- Door handles & knobs
- Electronic devices (keyboards, tablets)
- Desks & chairs
- Bathroom faucets
- Lunch tables
Show pictures or icons of each hotspot. Encourage students to point out any other hotspots in their classroom.
Seeing Germs with UV Light
Did you know?
Some “germs” glow when we shine a special blacklight (UV light) on them!
Next, we’ll use UV lights to hunt for hidden “germs.”
Explain the UV light activity coming up. Emphasize that germs glow under UV so we can find them.
How to Eliminate Germs
• Wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds
• Wipe surfaces with disinfectant wipes
• Use hand sanitizer when soap isn’t available
• Keep personal items (water bottle, phone) clean
Review effective ways to kill or remove germs. Demonstrate hand-washing motions if possible.
Let’s Hunt for Germs!
- Get into teams and pick up your UV flashlight and “germ” stickers.
- Search your area for glowing spots.
- Mark each spot with a sticker and record it on your chart.
Transition to the Classroom Germ Hunt activity. Remind students to work safely and record their findings.
Review & Share
• Which spot surprised you most?
• How will you clean that spot next time?
Next: Each of you will make a One New Habit Pledge!
Wrap up the presentation. Prepare students to share their top findings before the pledge.
Activity
Classroom Germ Hunt Activity
Goals:
- Students will apply detective skills to locate simulated “germs” in the classroom.
- Students will record and compare germ hotspot data on their charts.
- Students will discuss appropriate cleaning methods for high-touch areas.
Materials:
- UV flashlights (Classroom Germ Hunt Materials)
- “Germ” stickers (glow-in-the-dark dots)
- Germ Spotting Chart Worksheet
- Clipboards or sturdy writing surface
- Pencils or markers
Safety Guidelines:
- Never shine the UV flashlight directly into anyone’s eyes.
- Handle flashlights gently—no tossing or pointing at faces.
- If a sticker falls on the floor, pick it up immediately to avoid slipping.
Grouping Strategy:
- Form teams of 3–4 students, mixing abilities so stronger readers/writers can support peers.
- Assign each team a corner or specific area of the room to hunt in (e.g., desks, door handles, electronics).
Timing (15 minutes):
- Introduction & Demo (2 minutes): Teacher models how to use UV light and place stickers on glowing spots.
- Germ Hunt (10 minutes): Teams explore and mark hotspots on their charts.
- Quick Share (3 minutes): Teams highlight their top germ find and discuss one cleaning strategy.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Distribute materials to each team: UV flashlight, germ stickers, chart, clipboard, pencil.
- Remind teams of safety rules before turning off lights.
- In the darkened area, scan surfaces slowly.
- When you see a glowing spot, place a sticker next to it.
- Record the location and number of stickers on your Germ Spotting Chart Worksheet.
- Continue until time is up or all areas are checked.
- Turn lights back on, return materials, and gather.
Reflection Prompts:
- Which surface surprised you with the most “germs”?
- What cleaning method would you use to remove germs from that spot?
- How will you use this information to stay healthier at school and home?
Worksheet
Germ Spotting Chart 🦠
Use the table below to record your findings during the Classroom Germ Hunt. Write the location you searched, count how many “germ” stickers you found, and suggest a way to clean that spot.
| Location | Number of Germs Found | Suggested Cleaning Method |
|---|---|---|
Cool Down
One New Habit Pledge
Great job, Germ Detectives! Now it’s your turn to commit to one new habit that will help you stay healthy every day. Fill in the sections below.
My New Habit
I pledge to _________________________________________________________
Why This Habit Is Important
______________________________________________________________
Steps I Will Take to Remember
- ___________________________________________
- ___________________________________________
- ___________________________________________
My Pledge Drawing
(Draw yourself practicing your new habit)
Keep up the good work, and don’t forget to share your pledge with your family and friends!