Wash Time Commentary Script

Teacher: “Okay, friends! We’ve learned why washing our hands is super important. Now, let’s talk about exactly when we should wash. I’m going to show you some situations, and you’ll give me a thumbs-up if it’s time to wash, or a thumbs-down if we don’t need to wash right then. Ready?”

Slide: When Should We Wash?

1. Teacher: “First scenario: You just finished playing outside on the playground. Thumbs-up or thumbs-down?”
   Pause for student responses.
   Teacher: “Yes, thumbs-up! After playing outside, we’ve touched lots of things and picked up germs. Washing our hands helps wash those germs away!”
   
   
   

2. Teacher: “Next: You’re about to eat a snack. Thumbs-up or thumbs-down?”
   Pause.
   Teacher: “Great job! Thumbs-up. Before we eat, we wash to keep food clean and our tummies happy.”
   
   
   

3. Teacher: “Here’s another: You just sneezed into your hands. Thumbs-up or thumbs-down?”
   Pause.
   Teacher: “Yes—thumbs-up! Sneezes carry germs from inside our bodies, so we always wash right after.”
   
   
   

4. Teacher: “What about after using the restroom? Thumbs-up or thumbs-down?”
   Pause.
   Teacher: “Absolutely thumbs-up! Restroom trips mean it’s wash time.”
   
   
   

5. Teacher: “Last one on this slide: You just petted your class pet. Thumbs-up or thumbs-down?”
   Pause.
   Teacher: “Yes, thumbs-up. Even friendly pet paws can carry germs, so we wash right afterwards.”
   
   
   

Teacher: “Awesome! You gave all the right answers. Now let’s try some fun ‘Is it wash time?’ questions!”

Slide: Is It Wash Time?

1. Teacher: “You just hugged your friend. Thumbs-up or thumbs-down?”
   Pause.
   Teacher: “That’s a thumbs-down—nice work! Hugs are sweet, but no need to wash right after unless you touched something else.”
   
   
   

2. Teacher: “You’re about to eat apple slices. Thumbs-up or thumbs-down?”
   Pause.
   Teacher: “Thumbs-up—right! Any time before eating, we wash.”
   
   
   

3. Teacher: “You just finished drawing with crayons. Thumbs-up or thumbs-down?”
   Pause.
   Teacher: “Good thinking—thumbs-down. Crayon art doesn’t carry germs, so you can keep creating! But if your hands look messy, a quick wash is okay.”
   
   
   

4. Teacher: “You sneezed into a tissue and threw it away. Thumbs-up or thumbs-down?”
   Pause.
   Teacher: “Thumbs-up—fantastic! Even though you used a tissue, germs can stay on our hands. Let’s wash to finish the job.”
   
   
   

Teacher: “Great work, everyone! You know exactly when it’s wash time. Next, we’ll learn how to scrub our hands just right!”

Hand-Wash Song & Dance Activity

Objective: Students will practice the five steps of proper hand washing through a catchy song and fun dance moves, reinforcing technique and timing.

Materials:

• Hand-Wash Song and Dance Activity audio track
• Audio playback device (speaker or tablet)
• Open space near the sink or in the classroom

Time: 5 minutes

Instructions:

1. Introduce the Song and Dance (1 minute)

• Gather students in an open area near the sink or a clear space.
• Explain: “We’re going to learn a special song and dance that helps us remember how to wash our hands the right way!”
  
  
  

2. Teach the Verse Movements (1 minute)

• Play the verse: “Squirt, rub, scrub, scrub, scrub…”
• Cue students to:
  • Squirt: Pretend to squirt soap from a bottle
  • Rub: Rub palms together in big circles
  • Scrub: Interlace fingers and scrub each side
• Repeat verse until kids feel confident with the motions
  
  
  

3. Teach the Chorus Movements (1 minute)

• Play the chorus: “Hands up! Wash ’em up! Scrub them clean! Hands down, rinse ’em off, Dry between!”
• Lead students through each line:
  • “Hands up!” – raise both hands high
  • “Wash ’em up!” – wiggle fingers, scrub palms
  • “Scrub them clean!” – continue scrubbing front and back
  • “Hands down, rinse ’em off,” – move hands down and mimic rinsing water off
  • “Dry between!” – rub hands on an imaginary towel and between fingers
  
  
  

4. Full Performance (2 minutes)

• Play the entire song from start to finish.
• Encourage students to perform all the movements in sequence, singing along if they like.
• Offer praise: “Great scrubbing, everyone! You washed every germ away!”

Extension: If time allows, play the song again and let small groups lead one another in the dance, reinforcing peer modeling and confidence in the steps.

Thumbs-Up Check Cool-Down

Objective: Quickly assess understanding of when to wash hands using thumbs-up/thumbs-down responses.

Time: 5 minutes

Materials: None

Instructions:

1. Gather students in a circle or seated where you can see everyone’s hands.
2. Tell them: “I’m going to say some situations. Show me thumbs-up if it’s time to wash your hands, or thumbs-down if we don’t need to wash right then.”
   
   
   

Scenarios:

• You just finished eating lunch. Thumbs-up or thumbs-down?
• You sneezed into your hands. Thumbs-up or thumbs-down?
• You just hugged your friend. Thumbs-up or thumbs-down?
• You painted with watercolors and now it’s snack time. Thumbs-up or thumbs-down?
• You petted the class hamster and want to have a snack. Thumbs-up or thumbs-down?
  
  
  

After each scenario, pause to observe responses and give quick feedback:

• “Great job! Thumbs-up—always wash after sneezing.”
• “Yes, thumbs-down. Hugs don’t need washing unless your hands are messy.”

Reflection:
Ask: “What is one new time you learned today when we should wash our hands?”

Collect a few student answers verbally to close out the exit ticket.