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Sparkling Clean Hands

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danielle.hewitt

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Session 1 Lesson Plan

Students will learn the first three essential steps of proper handwashing—wetting hands, applying soap, and lathering with friction—and practice the motions through demonstration and a hands-on activity.

Teaching handwashing early helps prevent illness and builds lifelong hygiene habits, keeping students and their communities healthier.

Audience

Grades 1–3

Time

10 minutes

Approach

Demo, practice, interactive activity.

Materials

Handwashing Steps Poster: Steps 1–3, and Session 1 Activity Worksheet

Prep

Preparation

5 minutes

  • Print and display the Handwashing Steps Poster: Steps 1–3.
  • Photocopy enough Session 1 Activity Worksheets for each student.
  • Ensure sink area is ready and soap is available.
  • Review the poster and worksheet to familiarize yourself with key points.

Step 1

Introduction

2 minutes

  • Gather students in front of the poster.
  • Ask: “Why do we wash our hands?” and briefly discuss.
  • Explain that today they will learn three important steps to stop germs.

Step 2

Warm-Up

2 minutes

  • Lead a quick song or chant about washing (“Wet, Soap, Rub, Rinse, Dry!”) to build excitement.
  • Have students follow along with motions in the air.

Step 3

Teach Steps 1–3

3 minutes

  • Step 1: Wet hands under warm water. Model the motion at the sink.
  • Step 2: Apply soap. Show a small squirt and hand it around for smelling.
  • Step 3: Lather and rub hands together, front and back, between fingers (20 seconds).
  • Refer to each step on the Handwashing Steps Poster: Steps 1–3.

Step 4

Activity

2 minutes

  • Distribute the Session 1 Activity Worksheet.
  • Have students draw or circle which picture shows Wet, Soap, and Lather.
  • Walk around and provide guidance and praise.

Step 5

Cool-Down

1 minute

  • Review the three steps together as a class.
  • Ask two students to demonstrate at the sink.
  • Praise their sequencing and motions, and remind them to practice at home.
lenny

Slide Deck

Sparkling Clean Hands: Session 1

• Learn three essential steps of handwashing
• Practice each motion together
• Have fun while staying healthy

Welcome the class and introduce the lesson. Say: “Today we’re going to learn how to wash our hands in three easy steps to keep germs away!”

Why Wash Our Hands?

• Germs are tiny and can make us sick
• Washing hands removes germs
• Clean hands help us stay healthy at school and home

Explain why handwashing matters. You can show the class a picture of germs on hands (drawn or printed) or pretend there are invisible germs.

Step 1: Wet Your Hands

  1. Turn on warm running water
  2. Hold both hands under the stream
  3. Make sure hands are completely wet

Model at the sink: turn on warm water, place hands under the stream until they are fully wet.

Step 2: Apply Soap

  1. Pump or squirt a small amount of soap onto your palm
  2. Spread soap across both hands

Show the students how much soap to use—about a pea-sized squirt. Pass the soap around for them to smell if desired.

Step 3: Lather and Rub

  1. Rub palms together for 20 seconds
  2. Don’t forget fronts, backs, between fingers, and thumbs
  3. Sing a short song to keep time

Demonstrate rubbing palms together, then front and back, between fingers, and around thumbs. Count or sing “Happy Birthday” twice to reach 20 seconds.

Review: Steps 1–3

  1. Wet under warm water
  2. Apply soap
  3. Lather and rub for 20 seconds

Who wants to show us the steps?

Ask for two volunteers to come up and demonstrate all three steps at the sink. Praise everyone and remind them to practice at home.

lenny

Lesson Plan

Session 2 Lesson Plan

Students will learn the final two essential steps of handwashing—rinsing and drying—and practice the full five-step process through demonstration and a sequencing game.

Completing the full handwashing routine ensures removal of all soap and germs, fostering thorough hygiene habits and building students’ confidence in independent hand care.

Audience

Grades 1–3

Time

10 minutes

Approach

Demo, practice, interactive game

Materials

Handwashing Steps Poster: Steps 1–3, Handwashing Steps Poster: Steps 4–5, and Session 2 Sequencing Cards

Prep

Preparation

5 minutes

  • Print and display the Handwashing Steps Poster: Steps 1–3 and Handwashing Steps Poster: Steps 4–5.
  • Photocopy or cut out a set of Session 2 Sequencing Cards for each small group.
  • Ensure the sink area has warm water, soap, and paper towels.
  • Review the sequencing cards to understand the activity flow.

Step 1

Review Steps 1–3

2 minutes

  • Gather students and display both posters.
  • Ask volunteers to name steps 1–3 and briefly demonstrate each at the sink.
  • Reinforce key motions for wet, soap, and lather.

Step 2

Teach Steps 4–5

3 minutes

  • Step 4: Rinse hands under warm running water until all soap is gone.
  • Step 5: Dry hands thoroughly with a clean towel or air dryer.
  • Model both steps, emphasizing gentle rinsing and complete drying.
  • Refer to the Handwashing Steps Poster: Steps 4–5.

Step 3

Full Demonstration

2 minutes

  • Invite a volunteer to the sink.
  • Guide them through all five steps in order, offering prompts and praise.
  • Highlight smooth transitions between steps.

Step 4

Sequencing Game

2 minutes

  • Divide the class into small groups.
  • Distribute a shuffled set of Session 2 Sequencing Cards to each group.
  • Challenge groups to arrange the cards in the correct handwashing order.
  • Circulate to assist and celebrate accurate sequences.

Step 5

Cool-Down

1 minute

  • Recap the five steps together as a class.
  • Invite one student to lead the routine for dismissal.
  • Encourage students to practice the full routine daily, at home and school.
lenny

Slide Deck

Sparkling Clean Hands: Session 2

• Review first three steps
• Learn steps 4 and 5
• Practice the full routine
• Play a sequencing game

Welcome students and introduce Session 2. Say: “Last time we learned the first three steps. Today we’ll finish the routine and play a fun game!”

Review: Steps 1–3

  1. Wet hands under warm water
  2. Apply soap
  3. Lather and rub for 20 seconds

Quickly recap the motions for wetting, soaping, and lathering. Invite volunteers to demonstrate each step.

Step 4: Rinse Your Hands

  1. Hold hands under warm running water
  2. Rub gently to wash away all soap
  3. Check between fingers and around nails

Model rinsing your hands under warm running water until all soap is gone. Emphasize removing every bubble.

Step 5: Dry Your Hands

  1. Shake off extra water
  2. Use a clean towel or air dryer
  3. Dry thoroughly, between fingers and around wrists

Show how to use a clean towel or air dryer. Encourage students to dry completely, including between fingers.

Full Handwashing Routine

  1. Wet hands
  2. Apply soap
  3. Lather and rub 20 seconds
  4. Rinse thoroughly
  5. Dry completely

Let’s all do this together!

Invite a volunteer to lead the full five-step routine at the sink. Offer prompts: “Wet, Soap, Lather, Rinse, Dry!”

Sequencing Game

• Divide into small groups
• Each group sorts cards numbered 1–5
• Arrange cards in proper handwashing order
• First team finishes: check and celebrate!

Explain game rules: small groups race to order cards correctly. Encourage teamwork and celebrate winners.

lenny

Worksheet

Session 1 Activity Worksheet

Name: ____________________ Date: ____________________

Part 1: Draw the Steps of Handwashing

  1. Step 1: Wet Your Hands

    Draw a picture of how you wet your hands under warm water.





  2. Step 2: Apply Soap

    Draw a picture of how you put soap on your hands.





  3. Step 3: Lather and Rub

    Draw a picture of how you rub your hands together to make lots of bubbles.





lenny
lenny

Activity

Session 2 Sequencing Cards

Use these cards in small groups to practice ordering the five handwashing steps. Each card shows one step—mix and match the words and pictures.

Card 1: Step 1 – Wet Your Hands
Description: Place hands under warm running water until completely wet.
Illustration: Faucet with water flowing over hands.

Card 2: Step 2 – Apply Soap
Description: Pump or squirt a small amount of soap onto your palm.
Illustration: Hand pressing a soap dispenser.

Card 3: Step 3 – Lather and Rub
Description: Rub hands together (front, back, between fingers) for 20 seconds.
Illustration: Hands covered in bubbles.

Card 4: Step 4 – Rinse Your Hands
Description: Rinse all soap off under warm running water.
Illustration: Water washing away bubbles from hands.

Card 5: Step 5 – Dry Your Hands
Description: Shake off extra water and dry thoroughly with a clean towel or air dryer (don’t forget between fingers).
Illustration: Hands being patted dry with a towel.

Instructions for Use:

  1. Shuffle all five cards and deal one set to each small group.
  2. Groups work together to lay the cards in the correct 1→5 order.
  3. When finished, a group member holds up each card and names the step.
  4. Teacher circulates to check accuracy and celebrate correct sequences.
lenny
lenny