Hygiene Habits: Level Up! Warm-Up

Prompt: What comes to mind when you hear the word 'hygiene'?

Think about:

• What it means to you.
• Why it might be important.
• Any related words or feelings.

Hygiene Habits: Level Up! Cool-Down

Exit Ticket:

1. What is one new thing you learned or were reminded of about personal hygiene today?
   
   
   
   
2. What is one hygiene habit you plan to focus on improving or maintaining?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Teacher Script: Hygiene Habits

Warm-Up (3 minutes)

(Display Hygiene Habits Warm-Up slide)

"Good morning/afternoon everyone! To kick things off today, we're going to do a quick Think-Pair-Share. Take about 30 seconds to silently think about this question: 'What comes to mind when you hear the word 'hygiene'?' Think about what it means to you, why it might be important, or any related words or feelings."

(Pause for 30 seconds)

"Now, turn to a partner next to you and share your thoughts. You'll have about 1 minute total, so make sure both of you get a chance to speak."

(Monitor pairs, after 1 minute bring them back)

"Alright, let's bring it back together. Can a few groups share some of the main ideas you discussed? What did you talk about when it came to hygiene?"

(Call on 2-3 students for brief shares, connect their ideas to personal care and daily routines.)

Introduction & Slide Deck Presentation (5 minutes)

"Excellent! Today, we're going to dive deeper into that very topic with our lesson: Hygiene Habits: Level Up!. This isn't just about 'being clean'; it's about giving yourself a personal superpower. It's about feeling great, smelling fresh, and staying healthy, which boosts your confidence and makes you more comfortable in all your interactions. This lesson is for all of us, because everyone can benefit from understanding how to 'level up' their personal care."

(Advance to Slide 1: Hygiene Habits: Level Up!)

"As you can see, our goal today is to understand why personal hygiene is so important and identify some practical steps we can all take to feel our best."

(Advance to Slide 2: What is Hygiene?)

"So, what exactly is hygiene? It's simply how you take care of your body to stay clean and healthy. But why does it really matter? It boils down to three big things: Health, Confidence, and Social Comfort. Good hygiene helps you avoid getting sick, feel good about yourself, and makes you comfortable around others."

(Advance to Slide 3: Shower Power!)

"Let's talk about 'Shower Power.' For 7th graders, your bodies are changing, and that means more sweat and more potential for odors. Taking a daily shower or bath is super important. It washes away sweat, dirt, and oils. Think of it as a reset button for your body. Even if you don't feel 'dirty,' sweat and bacteria build up. How many of you feel a lot better and more awake after a shower?"

(Brief pause for responses.)

"Remember to use soap and water all over, focusing on areas that get extra sweaty."

(Advance to Slide 4: Hands Off Germs!)

"Next up: 'Hands Off Germs!' Your hands touch everything – and so do germs! Handwashing is one of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent getting sick and spreading illnesses. When should you wash your hands? Absolutely after using the restroom, before eating, after coughing or sneezing, and after touching things in public. The key is to use soap and water and scrub for at least 20 seconds. That's about how long it takes to sing 'Happy Birthday' twice!"

(Advance to Slide 5: Sparkling Smiles & Fresh Breath)

"'Sparkling Smiles & Fresh Breath' is about oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes and flossing daily isn't just for a nice smile, it prevents cavities, gum disease, and yes, bad breath. Don't forget to gently brush your tongue too, as a lot of odor-causing bacteria can live there. Who here has ever felt self-conscious about their breath? We all have, and good oral hygiene is the best defense!"

(Advance to Slide 6: Dress for Success (and Freshness!))

"Finally, 'Dress for Success (and Freshness!).' Your clothes can hold onto sweat and odors. Wearing clean clothes daily, especially underwear, socks, and shirts, makes a huge difference. And as 7th graders, using deodorant or antiperspirant daily is a game-changer for controlling sweat and body odor. It's about feeling confident and comfortable all day long."

Interactive Discussion: Real Talk (5 minutes)

(Refer to Hygiene Habits Discussion Guide)

"Now, let's have some real talk. We've gone over some key hygiene habits. Sometimes, it can feel like a lot, or maybe even a little awkward to talk about. But it's super important. I want to open it up for a brief discussion."

"First, thinking about what we just discussed, what's one simple hygiene habit you already do regularly that makes you feel good?"

(Allow 1-2 students to share briefly.)

"Second, sometimes it's hard to remember to do these things, or maybe we just don't feel like it. What are some of the reasons someone might skip a hygiene habit, like showering or changing clothes? (e.g., forgetfulness, feeling tired, not seeing the immediate need, time constraints)."

(Acknowledge student responses. Validate their feelings without judgment.)

"Third, let's brainstorm: What are some practical, easy things we can do to make these habits easier to remember or stick to? For example, setting a reminder, having a routine, laying out clothes the night before."

(Guide students to practical solutions.)

"Remember, hygiene is a personal journey, and it benefits everyone around you. It's about respect for yourself and for others. No one is perfect, but making an effort goes a long way."

Cool-Down: One Takeaway (2 minutes)

(Display Hygiene Habits Cool-Down slide)

"To wrap up our lesson, I want each of you to take a moment to reflect. On this exit ticket, please write down: one new thing you learned or were reminded of about personal hygiene today, and one hygiene habit you plan to focus on improving or maintaining. This could be something small, like remembering to brush your tongue, or something bigger, like showering every day."

"Take these with you, or you can turn them in as you leave. Thank you for an engaging discussion today!"

(Collect cool-downs or allow brief sharing if time permits as students leave.)

Hygiene Habits: Level Up! Discussion Guide

Objective: To facilitate open and practical discussion about personal hygiene habits, challenges, and strategies.

Time Allotment: 5 minutes

Discussion Prompts:

1. Personal Practices: "Thinking about what we just discussed, what's one simple hygiene habit you already do regularly that makes you feel good? (e.g., brushing teeth, washing hands, wearing clean socks)."

   • Facilitator Note: Encourage 1-2 brief shares. This helps normalize good habits and shows that many students already practice them.

2. Challenges & Barriers: "Sometimes, it can be hard to remember to do these things, or maybe we just don't feel like it. What are some reasons someone might skip a hygiene habit, like showering or changing clothes? (e.g., forgetfulness, feeling tired, not seeing the immediate need, time constraints, lack of privacy)."

   • Facilitator Note: Acknowledge responses without judgment. Validate that these are common feelings or challenges. The goal isn't to shame but to understand underlying reasons.

3. Practical Solutions & Strategies: "Let's brainstorm together: What are some practical, easy things we can do to make these habits easier to remember or stick to? For example, setting a reminder, having a consistent routine, laying out clothes the night before, having favorite scented soaps."

   • Facilitator Note: Guide students towards actionable and realistic solutions. Emphasize that even small steps make a difference.

4. Impact on Well-being: "How does maintaining good hygiene make you feel? (e.g., confident, clean, refreshed, ready for the day). And how do you think it impacts your interactions with friends, family, or teachers?"

   • Facilitator Note: Connect hygiene back to the 'why' (health, confidence, social comfort) discussed earlier. Reinforce the positive outcomes.

Key Takeaways for the Teacher to Reinforce:

• Hygiene is for everyone: It's not about being perfect, but about consistent effort.
• Benefits are real: Health, confidence, and social well-being are all positively impacted.
• Small changes add up: Encourage starting with one new habit or improving an existing one.
• It's a personal journey: Support and resources are available if students face bigger challenges.