Lesson Plan
Germ Busters Lesson Plan
Students will understand what germs are, how they spread, and the importance of handwashing to prevent illness. They will learn and practice the correct steps for effective handwashing.
Teaching 1st graders about handwashing is crucial for fostering lifelong hygiene habits. This lesson empowers them to take an active role in their health and the health of their community by reducing the spread of germs, especially in school settings.
Audience
1st Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, visual presentation, hands-on experiment, and practical application.
Materials
Whiteboard or Projector, Super Soapy Hands Presentation, Glitter (fine, iridescent works best), Liquid soap, Paper towels, Sink with running water, Glitter Germ Experiment Instructions, and Handwashing Steps Checklist
Prep
Review Materials and Gather Supplies
15 minutes
- Review the Germ Busters Lesson Plan and all linked materials.
- Prepare the Super Soapy Hands Presentation for display.
- Gather glitter, liquid soap, paper towels, and ensure access to a sink with running water for the Glitter Germ Experiment.
- Print copies of the Handwashing Steps Checklist for each student.
Step 1
Warm-Up: What are Germs?
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students: "What do you think germs are? Where do they live?"
- Facilitate a brief class discussion, writing down student ideas on the board.
Step 2
Introducing Germs and Handwashing
10 minutes
- Use the Super Soapy Hands Presentation to explain what germs are, how they spread, and why handwashing is so important.
- Focus on slides that show where germs hide and the benefits of clean hands.
Step 3
Glitter Germ Experiment
10 minutes
- Introduce the Glitter Germ Experiment as a visual way to understand germ spread.
- Follow the instructions in the Glitter Germ Experiment Instructions to demonstrate how glitter (germs) spreads and how soap helps remove them.
- Have students participate in the experiment by putting a small amount of glitter on their hands and attempting to rub it off without soap, then with soap.
Step 4
Handwashing Practice and Checklist
5 minutes
- Distribute the Handwashing Steps Checklist.
- Review each step of proper handwashing using the checklist and the last slide of the Super Soapy Hands Presentation.
- If possible, have students briefly practice the steps at a sink (or dry practice if a sink is not accessible) using the checklist as a guide.
- Emphasize key moments for handwashing (before eating, after using the restroom, after coughing/sneezing).
Slide Deck
Super Soapy Hands!
Why do we wash our hands? Let's find out how to be germ-busting superheroes!
Greet students and introduce the topic of staying healthy. Ask them what they know about germs. Use this as a warm-up before diving into the slides.
What Are Germs?
Tiny, invisible bugs that can make us sick!
They are so small, you can't even see them!
They live all around us: on toys, doorknobs, and even our hands!
Explain that germs are tiny, invisible bugs that can make us sick. Emphasize that we can't see them, but they are everywhere.
How Do Germs Travel?
Germs love to travel!
They can spread when we cough, sneeze, or touch things.
If you touch a germy surface and then your face, germs can get inside you!
Discuss how germs travel from one person or object to another. Use examples like coughing, sneezing, and touching things.
Our Superpower: Handwashing!
Washing our hands is like having a superpower!
It helps us get rid of those tiny, invisible germs.
Clean hands keep us healthy and strong!
Highlight that handwashing is our best defense against germs. Explain that soap and water help us get rid of them.
The Super Handwashing Steps
- Wet your hands with clean water.
2. Get some soap!
3. Rub your hands together to make lots of bubbles (lather!).
4. Scrub for 20 seconds (sing 'Happy Birthday' twice!).
5. Rinse all the soap off.
6. Dry your hands with a clean towel.
Go through each step of effective handwashing. Explain why each step is important.
When to Wash Your Hands?
Before eating.
After using the bathroom.
After coughing or sneezing.
After playing outside.
After touching pets.
When your hands look dirty!
Review when students should wash their hands. Ask them for other ideas of when it's important to wash their hands.
Be a Germ-Busting Hero!
Keep your hands clean, stay healthy, and share smiles, not germs!
Great job, germ busters!
Conclude by reiterating the importance of handwashing for their health and the health of their friends and family.
Activity
Glitter Germ Experiment: See How Germs Spread!
Objective: To visually demonstrate how germs can easily spread and how effective handwashing with soap removes them.
Materials:
- Fine glitter (iridescent or multi-colored works best)
- Liquid hand soap
- Paper towels
- Water source (sink recommended)
Instructions:
Part 1: Germ Spreading
-
Introduce the "Germs": Hold up the glitter and explain to the students that for this experiment, the glitter will be our pretend "germs." Emphasize that real germs are invisible, but glitter will help us see how easily they move.
-
Apply "Germs": Have each student put a small amount of glitter on the palm of one hand. Just a tiny sprinkle is enough!
-
Spread the "Germs": Ask students to rub their glitter-covered hand with their other hand for a few seconds. Then, have them touch their desk, a book, or even gently high-five a classmate (with permission and careful supervision).
-
Observe the Spread: Ask students to look at their hands, their desks, and anywhere else they touched. What do they notice? The glitter (germs) is everywhere!
- Discussion Questions:
- Was it easy for the "germs" to spread?
- Did you even try to spread them, or did they just go everywhere?
- How does this show us how real germs might spread?
- Was it easy for the "germs" to spread?
- Discussion Questions:
Part 2: Germ Busting with Soap
-
Try Without Soap: First, ask students to try to rub off the glitter from their hands using only dry paper towels. What happens? Do all the "germs" come off? (They usually don't easily).
-
Introduce the "Germ Buster": Hold up the liquid soap and explain that this is our secret weapon against germs.
-
Wash with Soap and Water: Guide students to the sink (or provide water if a sink isn't available).
- Wet hands with water.
- Apply a small amount of soap.
- Rub hands together, making sure to get all parts (palms, back of hands, between fingers, under nails) for at least 20 seconds (sing "Happy Birthday" twice).
- Rinse hands thoroughly under running water.
- Dry hands with a clean paper towel.
-
Observe the Results: Ask students to look at their hands now. Is the glitter gone? Most of it should be! Compare this to trying to wipe it off with just a dry towel.
- Discussion Questions:
- What made the biggest difference in getting rid of the "germs"?
- Why is soap so important when we wash our hands?
- What did you learn about handwashing today?
- What made the biggest difference in getting rid of the "germs"?
- Discussion Questions:
Conclusion: Emphasize that just like the soap helped wash away the glitter, real soap and water help wash away invisible germs, keeping us healthy!
Worksheet
Handwashing Steps Checklist: Be a Germ Buster!
Name: __________________________
Date: __________________________
Follow these super steps to get rid of germs and keep your hands squeaky clean! Put a check (✓) next to each step after you do it.
Step 1: Get Your Hands Wet!
- Turn on the water and wet your hands. Make sure the water isn't too hot or too cold!
- ( ) Check!
Step 2: Grab Some Soap!
- Put a small squirt of soap in your hand.
- ( ) Check!
Step 3: Make Bubbles (Lather Up!)!
- Rub your hands together to make lots and lots of bubbles. Get the front, the back, and between your fingers!
- ( ) Check!
Step 4: Scrub, Scrub, Scrub for 20 Seconds!
- Keep rubbing your hands with soap. Sing "Happy Birthday" twice or the ABC song. Make sure you get all the germy spots!
- ( ) Check!
Step 5: Rinse All the Soap Away!
- Put your hands under the running water and wash all the bubbles and glitter germs off.
- ( ) Check!
Step 6: Dry Your Hands!
- Use a clean paper towel or a clean cloth to dry your hands completely.
- ( ) Check!
Great job, Germ Buster! Your hands are now super clean!
When should you wash your hands? Draw or write 2 times you should wash your hands: