Lesson Plan
Fresh & Clean Routine
Students will be able to identify key personal hygiene practices and understand why they are important for health and well-being. They will also learn to recognize daily hygiene routines.
Teaching personal hygiene helps students develop essential life skills, prevent the spread of germs, and promote overall health. Good hygiene habits also contribute to self-esteem and social acceptance, making this a foundational lesson for their growth.
Audience
3rd Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, visual aids, and a hands-on activity.
Prep
Lesson Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Personal Hygiene Slides and customize if necessary.
- Read through the Teacher Script to familiarize yourself with the talking points and discussion prompts.
- Print enough copies of the Activity: My Daily Clean Routine for each student.
- Ensure you have markers or colored pencils for the activity.
- Prepare a whiteboard or projector for displaying the slides and warm-up/cool-down prompts.
- Review all generated materials as needed.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Hygiene Habits Check-in
5 minutes
- Begin the lesson by presenting the Warm Up: Hygiene Habits Check-in on the board or projector.
- Ask students to silently reflect on the questions: "What does 'hygiene' mean to you?" and "What are some things you do every day to stay clean?"
- Facilitate a brief class discussion, inviting a few students to share their thoughts. Emphasize that there are no wrong answers and we're all learning together.
Step 2
Introduction to Personal Hygiene (Slides & Script)
10 minutes
- Use the Personal Hygiene Slides to guide the introduction.
- Follow the Teacher Script to explain what personal hygiene is and why it's important (e.g., staying healthy, feeling good, being confident).
- Discuss key hygiene practices: washing hands, showering/bathing, brushing teeth, and clean clothes. Use engaging visuals from the slides.
- Encourage questions and provide simple, clear answers.
Step 3
Activity: My Daily Clean Routine
5 minutes
- Distribute the Activity: My Daily Clean Routine worksheet to each student.
- Explain the instructions: Students will draw or write about their daily hygiene routine.
- Circulate around the room, offering assistance and encouragement.
- After completing, invite a few volunteers to share their routine with the class, highlighting common practices and reinforcing the importance of consistency.
Step 4
Game: Hygiene Hero Challenge!
5 minutes
- Introduce the Game: Hygiene Hero Challenge!.
- Explain the rules: thumbs up for good hygiene, thumbs down for habits that need work. Encourage students to explain their reasoning.
- Facilitate the game by reading out the situations provided in the game material, engaging students in quick discussions for each scenario.
Step 5
Cool-Down: Hygiene Reflection
5 minutes
- Conclude the lesson with the Cool Down: Hygiene Reflection.
- Ask students to write down one new thing they learned or one hygiene habit they want to practice more consistently.
- Collect the cool-down slips as an exit ticket to assess understanding.

Slide Deck
Fresh & Clean Routine!
Taking Care of Our Bodies!
Ever wonder how to feel your best every single day? It all starts with being fresh and clean! Today, we're going to learn about how to take amazing care of our bodies so we can be healthy, happy, and ready for anything. Get ready to discover your very own Fresh & Clean Routine!
Welcome students and introduce the topic of personal hygiene. Ask them what the title makes them think of. Encourage initial thoughts without giving away too much yet. This sets the stage for our 'Fresh & Clean Routine!'
What is Personal Hygiene?
It's like a superpower for your body!
Personal hygiene means keeping yourself clean to stay healthy and feel good. It's all the amazing things you do every day to:
- Keep away germs (Bye-bye, sniffles!)
- Smell fresh (Hello, nice smells!)
- Feel confident (You got this!)
- Be strong and energetic (Ready to play and learn!)
Think of it as your body's personal shield against sickness and a boost for your happiness!
Explain what hygiene means in simple terms. Emphasize that it's about keeping ourselves clean to stay healthy. Ask students for examples of daily activities that keep them clean. Connect it to feeling good and confident.
Super Hands: Wash 'Em Good!
Your hands touch everything, so keep them clean!
When should you wash your hands?
- Before eating
- After using the bathroom
- After playing outside
- After coughing or sneezing
- When they look or feel dirty
How to wash like a pro:
- Wet your hands with warm water.
- Use soap (a good amount!).
- Scrub for at least 20 seconds (sing 'Happy Birthday' twice!).
- Rinse all the soap off.
- Dry your hands with a clean towel.
Why is this important? To stop germs from spreading!
Introduce handwashing as a critical hygiene practice. Explain when and how to wash hands effectively. You can demonstrate or ask students to show their technique. Reiterate the importance of soap and water.
Sparkling Clean: Bath or Shower Time!
Give your whole body a refresh!
Having a bath or shower helps clean your whole body, from your head to your toes!
Why is it important?
- Washes away dirt and sweat
- Keeps your skin healthy
- Helps you smell good
- Makes you feel fresh and ready for the day (or sleepy for bedtime!)
Remember to use soap and shampoo!
Discuss bathing/showering. Explain why it's important for overall body cleanliness and freshness. Keep the language age-appropriate and focus on the benefits.
Mighty Mouth: Brush & Floss!
Keep those pearly whites shining bright!
Your mouth works hard chewing and talking. It needs care!
Brushing your teeth:
- Brush at least twice a day (morning and night).
- Use toothpaste and a toothbrush.
- Brush all your teeth, front, back, and top!
Flossing:
- Helps clean between your teeth where your brush can't reach.
- Helps keep your gums healthy.
Why is this important? To prevent cavities and keep your smile super bright!
Cover dental hygiene. Explain why brushing and flossing are important for healthy teeth and gums. Stress the frequency: twice a day. You can ask students to mime brushing.
Fresh Clothes, Fresh You!
What you wear matters too!
Even after you've showered, putting on dirty clothes means you won't feel completely clean and fresh.
Why wear clean clothes?
- They feel better on your skin.
- They help you stay fresh.
- They show you take care of yourself.
Make sure to change your clothes regularly, especially after playing hard or getting sweaty!
Talk about wearing clean clothes. Connect it to feeling good and presenting oneself neatly. Explain that clothes can carry germs and sweat.
Your Daily Clean Routine!
Let's put it all together!
Remember these key habits for a healthy, happy you:
- Wash your hands often.
- Shower or bathe regularly.
- Brush your teeth twice a day.
- Wear clean clothes.
These are simple things you can do every single day to take great care of your body! What does your routine look like?
Summarize the main hygiene habits. Reiterate that these are daily routines. Encourage students to think about their own routines and how they can incorporate these habits. Lead into the activity.

Script
Teacher Script: Fresh & Clean Routine!
Warm-Up: Hygiene Habits Check-in (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Good morning/afternoon, everyone! To kick off our lesson today, I want you to take a look at the screen. We have two questions for our warm-up."
(Display Warm Up: Hygiene Habits Check-in on the projector/board.)
Teacher: "The questions are: 'What does 'hygiene' mean to you?' and 'What are some things you do every day to stay clean?' Take a moment to think about these questions quietly to yourselves. There are no wrong answers here; we're just getting our brains warmed up about our topic."
(Pause for 1-2 minutes to allow students to think.)
Teacher: "Alright, who would like to share their initial thoughts? What does 'hygiene' mean to you?"
(Call on a few students. Affirm their responses and connect them to the general idea of cleanliness and health.)
Teacher: "Great ideas! How about the second question? What are some things you do every day to stay clean?"
(Call on a few more students. Acknowledge and praise their routines.)
Teacher: "Wonderful! It sounds like many of you already have some excellent habits. Today, we're going to dive deeper into why these habits are so important and how they help us feel our best!"
Introduction to Personal Hygiene (Slides & Script) (10 minutes)
(Transition to Personal Hygiene Slides - Slide 1: "Fresh & Clean Routine!")
Teacher: "Today's lesson is all about our 'Fresh & Clean Routine!' This means taking care of our bodies every single day. Look at this title! What do you think we're going to talk about?"
(Allow a few responses.)
Teacher: "You got it! We're talking about how to feel amazing by keeping ourselves clean. Let's find out why this is so important."
(Advance to Slide 2: "What is Personal Hygiene?")
Teacher: "So, what exactly is personal hygiene? It means keeping yourself clean to stay healthy and feel good. Think of it like a superpower for your body! It helps you in so many ways:
- Keep away germs! Nobody wants to be sick, right? Cleanliness helps fight off those tiny invaders.
- Smell fresh! When you're clean, you smell nice, and that makes you feel good about yourself and others feel good around you.
- Feel confident! When you know you're clean, you stand a little taller, and you're ready to tackle anything.
- Be strong and energetic! A healthy body has more energy for playing, learning, and doing all the fun things you love.
It's like your body's personal shield against sickness and a boost for your happiness! Can anyone think of a time when being clean made them feel really good?"
(Allow a few students to share brief examples.)
Teacher: "Excellent! Now, let's talk about some of the most important hygiene habits we can all practice."
(Advance to Slide 3: "Super Hands: Wash 'Em Good!")
Teacher: "First up: our hands! Our hands touch everything. Think about all the things you've touched just this morning. Because of this, our hands can easily pick up germs. So, keeping them clean is super important!
When should you wash your hands? The slide lists some key times:
- Before eating
- After using the bathroom
- After playing outside
- After coughing or sneezing
- And definitely when they look or feel dirty!
How do we wash like a pro? Let's go through the steps:
- Wet your hands with warm water.
- Get a good amount of soap.
- Scrub for at least 20 seconds! That's about how long it takes to sing 'Happy Birthday' twice! Try it with me for a second... (Mime rubbing hands together). Make sure to get between your fingers, your thumbs, and the backs of your hands.
- Rinse all the soap off until your hands are squeaky clean.
- Dry your hands with a clean towel.
Why is all this scrubbing so important? To stop those pesky germs from spreading!"
(Advance to Slide 4: "Sparkling Clean: Bath or Shower Time!")
Teacher: "Next, let's talk about getting our whole body clean! Having a bath or shower helps clean your whole body, from your hair to your toes!
Why is this important?
- It washes away dirt and sweat from playing and being active.
- It keeps your skin healthy.
- It helps you smell good and feel fresh.
- It can even make you feel ready for the day or relaxed for bedtime!
Remember to use soap and shampoo to get everything sparkling clean! How many of you love a nice warm shower or bath?"
(Allow a few students to raise hands or share briefly.)
(Advance to Slide 5: "Mighty Mouth: Brush & Floss!")
Teacher: "Now let's think about our mouths! Our mouths work super hard for us, chewing delicious food and letting us talk and laugh. So, they need special care!
Brushing your teeth: You should brush your teeth at least twice a day – once in the morning and once before you go to bed. Make sure to use toothpaste and a toothbrush, and brush all your teeth – the fronts, the backs, and the tops!
Flossing: This is when you use a special string to clean between your teeth, where your toothbrush can't reach. It helps keep your gums healthy.
Why is this so important? To prevent cavities and keep your smile super bright! What's your favorite flavor of toothpaste?"
(Allow a few responses.)
(Advance to Slide 6: "Fresh Clothes, Fresh You!")
Teacher: "Last but not least, let's talk about our clothes. Even after you've showered and brushed your teeth, putting on dirty clothes means you won't feel completely clean and fresh. Clothes can collect sweat and germs, just like our bodies.
Why is it important to wear clean clothes?
- They feel better on your skin – no itchiness!
- They help you stay fresh and smell good throughout the day.
- And they show everyone that you take good care of yourself.
So, remember to change your clothes regularly, especially after you've been playing hard or if they're sweaty!"
Activity: My Daily Clean Routine (5 minutes)
(Distribute Activity: My Daily Clean Routine worksheet.)
Teacher: "Now that we've talked about all these amazing ways to stay fresh and clean, it's your turn to think about your own routine! I'm handing out a worksheet called 'My Daily Clean Routine.'
On this worksheet, I want you to either draw or write about your daily hygiene routine. You can show what you do in the morning, after school, or before bed. Think about handwashing, showering, brushing teeth, and clean clothes. What does your routine look like?"
(Circulate, providing support and answering questions. Encourage students to be creative with their drawings or descriptive with their writing.)
Teacher: "Alright, who would like to share a part of their daily clean routine with the class? What's one thing you do every day to stay fresh?"
(Invite a few volunteers to share. Praise their efforts and reinforce the idea that consistent habits lead to a healthier, happier self.)
Game: Hygiene Hero Challenge! (5 minutes)
(Display Game: Hygiene Hero Challenge! on the projector/board.)
Teacher: "Excellent job on your routines! Now, let's play a fun game called 'Hygiene Hero Challenge!' to see how much of a Hygiene Hero you are! I'm going to read out some situations. If you think it's a good hygiene habit, give me a thumbs up! If you think it's a habit that needs a little more work, give me a thumbs down! Be ready to tell me why you chose your answer!
Teacher: "Ready? Here's the first situation: Situation 1: You just finished playing outside in the dirt, and your hands are muddy. You walk inside to get a snack. Thumbs up or thumbs down? Why?"
(Facilitate discussion. Guide students to explain why washing hands is necessary before eating after playing.)
Teacher: "Great explanations! How about this one: Situation 2: It's morning, and you're getting ready for school. You grab your toothbrush and brush your teeth for two minutes. Thumbs up or thumbs down? Why?"
(Facilitate discussion. Reinforce the importance of brushing twice a day.)
Teacher: "You're all doing wonderfully! Next: Situation 3: After a warm shower, you put on the same clothes you wore yesterday to play soccer. Thumbs up or thumbs down? Why?"
(Facilitate discussion. Emphasize the need for clean clothes after showering.)
Teacher: "Alright, two more! Situation 4: You sneeze into your elbow, then immediately go to wash your hands with soap and water. Thumbs up or thumbs down? Why?"
(Facilitate discussion. Highlight the importance of washing hands after sneezing/coughing, even if using the elbow.)
Teacher: "Last one! Situation 5: Before bed, you quickly rinse your mouth with water but don't brush your teeth. Thumbs up or thumbs down? Why?"
(Facilitate discussion. Reiterate that rinsing isn't enough; brushing is crucial.)
Teacher: "You are all true Hygiene Heroes! Great job thinking about these situations and understanding why good hygiene habits are so important."
Cool-Down: Hygiene Reflection (5 minutes)
(Display Cool Down: Hygiene Reflection on the projector/board.)
Teacher: "To wrap up our lesson today, we're going to do a quick cool-down reflection. On a piece of paper, or the back of your worksheet, I want you to write down one new thing you learned today about personal hygiene OR one hygiene habit you want to practice more consistently starting now."
(Pause for 2-3 minutes for students to write.)
Teacher: "Great! As you finish up, please hand me your reflections as you leave. This helps me see what awesome things you've learned and what habits you're excited to try."
Teacher: "Thank you all for being such active learners today! Remember, a fresh and clean routine helps you be your best self!"


Warm Up
Warm Up: Hygiene Habits Check-in
Take a moment to think about these questions. We will discuss them as a class!
- What does "hygiene" mean to you?
- What are some things you do every day to stay clean?


Activity
Activity: My Daily Clean Routine
It's time to think about your own amazing habits! On this paper, you will either draw pictures or write sentences about what you do every day to stay fresh and clean.
Think about:
- What do you do in the morning?
- What about after school or after playing?
- What do you do before bed?
Here are some ideas to include:
- Washing your hands
- Taking a bath or shower
- Brushing your teeth
- Putting on clean clothes
Use the space below to show your routine! Be creative and show how you keep yourself healthy and happy!
My Routine:


Game
Game: Hygiene Hero Challenge!
Let's test our knowledge and become Hygiene Heroes! We're going to play a quick game to see how much you remember about keeping fresh and clean.
How to Play:
- Your teacher will read out different situations.
- If you think the situation describes a good hygiene habit, give a thumbs up!
- If you think the situation describes a habit that needs a little more work, give a thumbs down!
- Be ready to explain why you chose thumbs up or thumbs down!
Situations:
- Situation 1: You just finished playing outside in the dirt, and your hands are muddy. You walk inside to get a snack.
- Situation 2: It's morning, and you're getting ready for school. You grab your toothbrush and brush your teeth for two minutes.
- Situation 3: After a warm shower, you put on the same clothes you wore yesterday to play soccer.
- Situation 4: You sneeze into your elbow, then immediately go to wash your hands with soap and water.
- Situation 5: Before bed, you quickly rinse your mouth with water but don't brush your teeth.
- Situation 6: You help your family cook dinner, making sure your hands are clean before you touch any food.


Cool Down
Cool Down: Hygiene Reflection
Take a few minutes to reflect on what you learned today about personal hygiene.
On the lines below, please write:
- One new thing you learned today about keeping your body fresh and clean.
OR - One hygiene habit you want to practice more consistently starting now.

