Teacher Script: Germs: Tiny Troubles, Big Impact!

Warm-Up: What are Germs? (5 minutes)

(Display Germs: Tiny Troubles, Big Impact! Slide Deck - Slide 1)

"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today we're going to become germ detectives! Before we start, I want to hear from you. Take a look at our first slide: Germs: Tiny Troubles, Big Impact!

"What comes to mind when you hear the word 'germs'? Can you tell me what you think germs are?"

(Allow students to share their ideas, validating all responses.)

"Where do you think germs live? Are they only in dirty places, or can they be elsewhere?"

(Facilitate a short discussion, acknowledging that germs are everywhere, even if we can't see them.)

Video: The Invisible World (5 minutes)

(Display Germs: Tiny Troubles, Big Impact! Slide Deck - Slide 2)

"That's right! Germs are so incredibly tiny, we can't see them with our eyes. But even though they're invisible, they can have a big impact on us, sometimes making us feel yucky or even sick.

"To help us understand these tiny troublemakers a bit better, we're going to watch a short video. It will show us what germs are and how they move around. Pay close attention!"

(Play the video from the slide.)

"Wow! Those germs are busy, aren't they? What was one new thing you learned about germs from the video?"

"Why do you think it's important to know about germs if we can't even see them?"

Activity: Glitter Germs! (10 minutes)

(Display Germs: Tiny Troubles, Big Impact! Slide Deck - Slide 3)

"Now that we know germs are invisible and can make us sick, how do we stop them from spreading? It's harder than it sounds because we can't see them moving around! But we're going to do an activity that will help us see how easily germs can travel.

"I'm going to give a few of you some special 'germs' – actually, it's just glitter! When you get your glitter, I want you to gently rub it on your hands. Then, for the next few minutes, I want you to do what you normally do. Talk to your friends, touch your desks, maybe even high-five someone! Just be mindful not to get it in your eyes or mouth."

(Distribute a small amount of glitter to 3-5 students. Give them about 2-3 minutes to interact.)

"Alright, everyone! Freeze! Now, look at your hands. Look at your clothes. Look at your friends. What do you notice? Raise your hand if you have some glitter 'germs' on you now, even if you didn't start with them!"

(Facilitate a discussion about the spread of glitter.)

"See how quickly those 'germs' spread? Even with just a little bit, and without even realizing it! Real germs spread in a very similar way, but we can't see them. This is why good hygiene is so important! We'll clean our hands thoroughly after this activity."

Worksheet: Germ Detective (7 minutes)

(Display Germs: Tiny Troubles, Big Impact! Slide Deck - Slide 4)

"You've been excellent germ observers! Now it's time to become true Germ Detectives. I'm going to hand out a worksheet where you can use what we've learned to answer some questions and think about how to keep germs away.

"You can work on this by yourselves or quietly with a partner. Remember to use complete sentences and think carefully about your answers. I'll be walking around to help if you have any questions."

(Distribute the Germ Detective Worksheet. Circulate and provide support.)

Cool-Down: Prevention Power (3 minutes)

(Display Germs: Tiny Troubles, Big Impact! Slide Deck - Slide 5)

"Alright, detectives, let's bring it back together. You did a fantastic job with the worksheet and activity! Looking at our last slide, what is one important way we can fight germs and stay healthy that you learned or remembered today?"

(Call on a few students to share.)

"Excellent points! Remember, even though germs are tiny, we have BIG power to stop them! The three best ways are: Wash your hands often, especially after using the restroom and before eating. Cover your coughs and sneezes, ideally into your elbow. And if you're feeling sick, stay home to keep everyone else healthy too.

"By doing these simple things, we can all be superheroes against germs!"

Germ Spreading Activity Guide: Glitter Germs!

Objective

To visually demonstrate how easily germs can spread through contact.

Materials

• Fine glitter (various colors, if desired)
• Hand sanitizer or soap and water
• Paper towels

Instructions

1. Introduction (2 minutes)

   • Gather students and explain that today they will see how quickly invisible germs can spread. Inform them that the glitter will represent these tiny, invisible germs.
   • (Refer to Teacher Script: Germs for exact wording)

2. Distribute "Germs" (2 minutes)

   • Choose 3-5 students to be the initial "germ carriers." Place a small pinch of glitter into the palm of each selected student.
   • Instruct them to rub their hands together gently to spread the glitter evenly over their palms.

3. Interaction Phase (5 minutes)

   • Tell these students, and the rest of the class, to go about a normal classroom interaction for a few minutes. This could involve:
     • Talking to classmates.
     • Touching desks, books, or shared classroom objects.
     • Giving high-fives.
   • Remind students not to touch their faces, especially eyes or mouth, during this activity.

4. Observation and Discussion (3 minutes)

   • Call all students back together and ask them to stop interacting.
   • Have students observe their own hands, arms, clothes, and their classmates. Ask:
     • "Who has glitter on them now, even if you didn't start with it?"
     • "Where do you see the glitter?"
     • "How do you think the glitter got there?"
     • "How is this like real germs spreading?"
   • (Refer to Teacher Script: Germs for discussion prompts).

5. Clean-Up and Reinforcement (As needed, usually 5-7 minutes post-activity)

   • Explain the importance of washing away real germs.
   • Lead students to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water or use hand sanitizer to remove all the glitter. This step reinforces the idea of proper hand hygiene to remove germs.

Germ Detective Worksheet

Name: __________________________ Date: ____________

Part 1: What are Germs?

1. What are germs?
   a) Big animals we can see
   b) Tiny living things that can make us sick
   c) Types of food
   d) Colors you can paint with

2. Why can't we usually see germs?
   a) They are too fast
   b) They are invisible to our eyes
   c) They hide really well
   d) They only come out at night

Part 2: How Germs Spread

3. In our "Glitter Germs" activity, how did the glitter (germs) move from one person to another?
   a) By magic
   b) When people touched each other or objects
   c) Only when someone sneezed
   d) It stayed on one person

4. Which two ways can germs spread that we often can't see?
   a) Talking loudly and jumping high
   b) Coughing/sneezing without covering your mouth, and touching dirty surfaces then your face
   c) Reading books and drawing pictures
   d) Sitting still and being quiet

Part 3: Stopping Germs!

5. What is the most important thing you can do to stop germs from making you and others sick?
   a) Sing a song loudly
   b) Wash your hands often with soap and water
   c) Wear a funny hat
   d) Eat a lot of candy

6. When is a good time to wash your hands to get rid of germs? (Choose all that apply)
   a) Before eating food
   b) After using the restroom
   c) After playing outside
   d) All of the above

7. If you need to cough or sneeze, what is the best way to do it so your germs don't spread?
   a) Cough into your hands
   b) Sneeze into the air
   c) Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue
   d) Hold it in until you get home

8. Why is it important to stay home when you are sick?
   a) To watch TV all day
   b) So you don't spread your germs to others and can rest to get better
   c) To play video games
   d) So you don't have to do homework

Germ Detective Worksheet Answer Key

Part 1: What are Germs?

1. What are germs?

   • Thought Process: Recalling the video and discussion, germs are defined as tiny living things that can make us sick.
   • Answer: b) Tiny living things that can make us sick

2. Why can't we usually see germs?

   • Thought Process: The lesson emphasized their microscopic size.
   • Answer: b) They are invisible to our eyes

Part 2: How Germs Spread

3. In our "Glitter Germs" activity, how did the glitter (germs) move from one person to another?

   • Thought Process: This question directly relates to the hands-on activity where glitter spread through contact.
   • Answer: b) When people touched each other or objects

4. Which two ways can germs spread that we often can't see?

   • Thought Process: Connect the activity to real-life transmission methods like airborne droplets and indirect contact.
   • Answer: b) Coughing/sneezing without covering your mouth, and touching dirty surfaces then your face

Part 3: Stopping Germs!

5. What is the most important thing you can do to stop germs from making you and others sick?

   • Thought Process: The lesson consistently highlights handwashing as the primary prevention method.
   • Answer: b) Wash your hands often with soap and water

6. When is a good time to wash your hands to get rid of germs? (Choose all that apply)

   • Thought Process: Review common scenarios where handwashing is necessary.
   • Answer: d) All of the above

7. If you need to cough or sneeze, what is the best way to do it so your germs don't spread?

   • Thought Process: Recall the proper cough/sneeze etiquette discussed.
   • Answer: c) Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue

8. Why is it important to stay home when you are sick?

   • Thought Process: Focus on preventing transmission and allowing for recovery.
   • Answer: b) So you don't spread your germs to others and can rest to get better

Germ Spreading Activity Guide: Glitter Germs!

Objective

To visually demonstrate how easily germs can spread through contact.

Materials

• Fine glitter (various colors, if desired)
• Hand sanitizer or soap and water
• Paper towels

Instructions

1. Introduction (2 minutes)

   • Gather students and explain that today they will see how quickly invisible germs can spread. Inform them that the glitter will represent these tiny, invisible germs.
   • (Refer to Teacher Script: Germs for exact wording)

2. **Distribute