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  In this elementary health lesson plan, students will learn the value of covering their mouth and nose when sneezing.

  Start by reading, Miss Bindergarten Stays Home from Kindergarten, by Joseph Slate (Scholastic, 2000). Notice that the cold and flu was passed around the classroom. The story begins with Miss Bindergarten getting sick and each day of the week, one more student stays home from school, sick. In the end, Miss Bindergarten comes back to the classroom, but the substitute teacher, Mr. Tusky is sick on Saturday. Although this is a fictional story, it has a lot of truth as this is could be a typical scenario in any elementary level classroom during flu season. This is a great lesson to teach about and health, the alphabet and to reinforce learning about the days of the week.

  Teach:

  Discuss with students how a cold or flu is spread. The best precautions are, proper hand washing and covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze.

  There is a great website, called, Kids' Health, Ages 6-12, with many health topics just for kids. You can read the information with a younger class of students, or send the site home for parents to view with their students.

  Materials: 

  Talcum powder

  Tissues

  Soap

  Water

  Procedure:

  First, Tell the students that germs and viruses cannot be seen with the naked eye, but that they can affect us by causing sickness. Tell them that you will give them a visual understanding of what germs might look like when we sneeze using talcum powder. Pour some talcum powder into your hand and pretend to sneeze, not covering your mouth or nose. Due to the element of surprise, this will get a rise out of the class because obviously the talcum powder will fly all over the place. Tell them that this is similar to the way "invisible" germs are spread through the air. Once the class has settled back down, tell the students to watch as the talcum powder "spreads" and repeat.

  Next, repeat the procedure, only cover your mouth with your hand or a tissue and note the difference. Next, if the talcum powder represents germs, then put a little bit more in your hand, and turn to shake hands with a student and pick up a classroom object. Ask the students what might be occurring as you do this.

  Last, you should have some residual talcum powder remaining on your hand. Ask the students how you should get rid of it. Ask them if you should wipe it on your pants, or sleeve (this is a gross thought, but what kids do). Model to the students proper hand washing, using warm water and soap. Teach students to hum a familiar tune, such as The Happy Birthday Song to themselves as they wash their hands for an adequate amount of time.

  In summary, ask the students to think of reasons why Miss Bindergarten's Kindergarten class might have gotten sick.

  Extend:

  Have the student's journal what they have learned in a science notebook.

  In all of my years of teaching, this lesson has a profound impact on students. You will see them cover their mouths or apologize when they forget to.

  Book Jacket photo courtesy of amazon.com.

Elementary Health Lesson Plans

1. Crafts, Activities and Book Bag Ideas for Sick Days
2. A Rhyming Lesson Plan Using 'Who's Sick Today?'
3. Elementary Health Lesson Plan: Cover Your Mouth