Germy surfaces
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/sci_update.cfm?DocID=202
A lesson plan for grades 1–2, 4, and 6 Healthful Living
In this Science Update, students explore how long a germ can hand around on surfaces. Dr. Don Goldmann, an infectious disease specialist at Children’s Hospital in Boston suggests that cold viruses can live for up to six hours outside the human body. This update stresses the importance of washing hands with soap and water or using a sanitizing gel that contains alcohol. Science NetLinks provides a link to the audio file, a written transcript, and questions that engage students in discussion about the different varieties of viruses, how colds are passed between people, and how prevention methods would change if cold viruses could last outside the body for a week or more. This activity also contains links to Commoncold.org, The American Lung Association’s resource on prevention and treatment of the flu and colds, and PBS’s episode, “Influenza 1918”.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
Healthful Living Education (2006)
Grade 1
- Goal 2: The learner will develop knowledge and skills to enhance personal and consumer health.
- Objective 2.01: Describe and demonstrate measures for preventing the spread of germs.
Grade 2
- Goal 2: The learner will develop knowledge and skills to enhance personal and consumer health.
- Objective 2.02: Summarize methods for preventing the spread of germs through food, water, air, and touch.
Grade 4
- Goal 2: The learner will develop knowledge and skills to enhance personal and consumer health.
- Objective 2.04: Summarize methods for preventing the spread of germs that cause communicable diseases.
Grade 6
- Goal 2: The learner will develop knowledge and skills to enhance personal and consumer health.
- Objective 2.02: Identify the modes of transmission and methods for reducing the transmission of common communicable diseases.
