• lenny-learning-logoLenny Learning
  • Home
    Home
    • Lessons
    Lessons
  • Curriculum
    Curriculum
  • Surveys
    Surveys
  • Videos
    Videos
  • Support
    Support
  • Log In
lenny

Hygiene Habits: Level Up!

user image

Candace Minor-Chism

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Hygiene Habits: Level Up!

Students will be able to identify key personal hygiene practices and understand their importance for health and social well-being.

Good hygiene is crucial for preventing illness, feeling confident, and fostering positive relationships with peers. This lesson helps students develop essential self-care habits as they navigate middle school.

Audience

6th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion and practical tips.

Materials

Hygiene Habits: Level Up! Slide Deck, Hygiene Warm-Up, Hygiene Cool-Down, and Hygiene Challenge Activity

Prep

Review Materials

10 minutes

  • Review the Hygiene Habits: Level Up! Lesson Plan, Hygiene Habits: Level Up! Slide Deck, Hygiene Warm-Up, Hygiene Cool-Down, and Hygiene Challenge Activity.
  • Ensure projector and computer are set up for the slide deck.
  • Print copies of the Hygiene Warm-Up and Hygiene Cool-Down (1 per student).
  • Prepare materials for the Hygiene Challenge Activity (e.g., small whiteboards or paper for group responses).

Step 1

Warm-Up: What's Your Hygiene Habit?

5 minutes

  • Distribute the Hygiene Warm-Up worksheet.
  • Instruct students to complete the warm-up individually.
  • After a few minutes, ask students to share one hygiene habit they already practice. (Facilitate a brief discussion, ensuring a safe and non-judgmental environment.)

Step 2

Introduction to Healthy Hygiene (Slides 1-3)

5 minutes

  • Display Slide 1: Hygiene Habits: Level Up!.
  • Introduce the topic of healthy hygiene, emphasizing its importance for personal health and feeling good about oneself.
  • Transition to Slide 2: Why Does Hygiene Matter? and discuss the benefits (e.g., preventing germs, smelling fresh, feeling confident).
  • Move to Slide 3: Everyday Superpowers! and briefly introduce the concept of daily hygiene as a superpower.

Step 3

Key Hygiene Habits Exploration (Slides 4-8)

10 minutes

  • Go through Slide 4: Shower Power! and discuss daily showering/bathing, focusing on all body parts.
  • On Slide 5: The Hand-Washing Hero!, emphasize proper handwashing techniques and when to wash hands.
  • For Slide 6: Mouth Matters!, discuss brushing twice a day and flossing.
  • Introduce Slide 7: Fresh Threads & Clean Hair, covering wearing clean clothes and washing hair regularly.
  • On Slide 8: Deodorant Debrief, explain the use of deodorant/antiperspirant for middle schoolers.

Step 4

Hygiene Challenge Activity

5 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups (2-3 students).
  • Distribute the Hygiene Challenge Activity worksheet (or instruct them to use paper/whiteboards).
  • Explain that each group will read a scenario and decide which hygiene habit is most relevant to the situation.
  • After 3-4 minutes, bring the class back together and discuss one or two scenarios, having groups share their reasoning.

Step 5

Cool-Down: My Hygiene Commitment

5 minutes

  • Distribute the Hygiene Cool-Down worksheet.
  • Instruct students to reflect on one new hygiene habit they will commit to practicing or improving.
  • Collect the cool-down slips as an exit ticket.
lenny

Slide Deck

Hygiene Habits: Level Up!

Your Guide to Feeling Great, Inside and Out!

Welcome students and set a positive, open tone for discussing personal care. Emphasize that everyone can learn and improve their hygiene habits.

Why Does Hygiene Matter?

  • Stay Healthy: Fight off germs!
  • Feel Fresh: Smell good, feel clean.
  • Boost Confidence: Feel good about yourself!
  • Positive Connections: Others notice when you take care of yourself.

Ask students: 'Why do you think hygiene is important?' Guide them to think about health, how they feel, and how others perceive them.

Everyday Superpowers!

Good hygiene isn't just about being clean; it's about empowering yourself with habits that make you feel your best every single day.

Explain that simple daily habits can make a huge difference. These are 'superpowers' because they empower students to take control of their well-being.

Shower Power!

  • Shower or bathe daily.
  • Use soap and wash your whole body, especially armpits, groin, and feet.
  • Rinse thoroughly.
  • Pat dry with a clean towel.

Discuss the importance of daily showering, especially as bodies change during middle school. Encourage thorough washing of all body parts with soap.

The Hand-Washing Hero!

  • Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (sing 'Happy Birthday' twice).
  • Get between your fingers, back of hands, and under nails.
  • Always wash:
    • Before eating
    • After using the restroom
    • After coughing or sneezing
    • After playing outside

Review the 'when' and 'how' of handwashing. Ask: 'When should you always wash your hands?' (Before eating, after bathroom, after coughing/sneezing). Demonstrate proper technique if possible.

Mouth Matters!

  • Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time.
  • Use fluoride toothpaste.
  • Floss once a day to clean between your teeth.
  • Don't forget to brush your tongue!

Emphasize brushing twice a day and flossing daily. Explain why it's important (prevent cavities, fresh breath).

Fresh Threads & Clean Hair

  • Wear clean clothes every day. Dirty clothes can hold sweat and germs!
  • Wash your hair regularly. This keeps your scalp healthy and your hair looking good.
  • Keep your nails clean and trimmed to prevent germ build-up.

Discuss the impact of wearing clean clothes daily. Talk about hair washing frequency, explaining it varies for everyone but is still important.

Deodorant Debrief

  • As you grow, your body changes and produces more sweat and body odor.
  • Using deodorant or antiperspirant daily can help you stay fresh.
  • Apply it to clean, dry armpits.

Address deodorant use directly. Explain that as bodies change, deodorant becomes important to manage body odor. Reassure students it's a normal part of growing up.

Hygiene Habits: Your Daily Routine

Making these habits a part of your daily life will help you:

  • Stay healthy
  • Feel confident
  • Make great impressions!

Summarize the key takeaways and encourage students to make these habits part of their daily routine.

lenny

Warm Up

Hygiene Habits: Level Up! Warm-Up

Instructions: Think about your morning routine. What are some things you do to keep yourself clean and fresh?

  1. List two things you do to practice good hygiene before coming to school:






  2. Why do you think these habits are important?






lenny
lenny

Cool Down

Hygiene Habits: Level Up! Cool-Down

Instructions: Reflect on what you learned today.

  1. What is one new hygiene habit you want to try to practice or improve starting today?






  2. How do you think this habit will help you?






lenny
lenny

Activity

Hygiene Habits: Level Up! Challenge Activity

Instructions: Read each scenario with your group. Discuss which hygiene habit is most important in that situation and why. Be ready to share your answers!

Scenario 1:

It's the end of a long, hot school day. You've been active in P.E. and feel sweaty. What's the most important hygiene habit to practice when you get home?

Our Answer:






Scenario 2:

Your friend offers you a delicious snack during lunch, but you just finished playing basketball outside without washing your hands. What should you do before eating?

Our Answer:






Scenario 3:

You wake up in the morning and your breath isn't feeling very fresh. What two important hygiene habits should you do for your mouth?

Our Answer:






Scenario 4:

Your favorite shirt from yesterday is still lying on your floor. You're tempted to wear it again to school, but you remember something important. What hygiene habit are you thinking about?

Our Answer:






lenny
lenny