Grade Levels:  3-4

Subjects:  Health; Language/Arts

Learner Outcomes: 
Students will distinguish between effective and ineffective methods of preventing
common health problems such as colds, viruses, and respiratory illness and describe activities that are healthful.
Students will discuss the importance of keeping skin clean.
Students will demonstrate proper handwashing.
Students will express opinions about health issues relevant to third and fourth
graders.

Duration of Lesson:  2 days/40 minutes each

Materials:
Hand- held magnifying glass for each student
Copies of Handwashing Know-How for each student to use as posttest
Materials listed for experiment from Caught Dirty Handed
Pencils

Technology Tools/Courseware:
Projection device
Screen
Internet accessible computers with speakers
Microsoft PowerPoint Version 97 or higher

Teacher Notes:
Make sure each student has an Acceptable Use Policy on file.
Teacher should have working knowledge of Microsoft PowerPoint.
Teacher should review the experiment Caught Dirty-Handed to modify amount of time and procedures appropriate for individual class and gather necessary materials.
Access to computer lab or small groups at computers would work best for this lesson.
Teacher should become familiar with BrainPOP.

Procedures:
Day  1:  Why is it important to keep your hands and body clean?

1. Teacher will introduce lesson by using a PowerPoint presentation.
2. ACTIVITY:  Teacher will pass out a hand-held magnifying glass to each student.  Have students examine their hands carefully looking for dirt, dry skin, scars, scabs, etc.
3. Teacher and students will discuss findings from activity.
4. Ask students if they think their hands can be dirty even if they look clean.
5. Teacher will use information from Why Is Handwashing Important? to lead discussion.
6. To test students' knowledge of correct handwashing skills have students go to Handwashing Know-How on their computers and complete the quiz online.
7. Teacher will discuss each answer of the quiz with the group. 

1. To review the importance of skin characteristics have students go to BrainPOP on their computers, click Health movies, go to picture of Skin and click.  Allow time for students to view the website independently.
2. ACTIVITY:  Demonstrate hand-washing skills by using the activity Caught Dirty Handed.
3. Teacher and students will discuss the results of the previous activity in order to realize the importance of keeping the skin clean.
4. Teacher will complete rubrics to assess each student's participation.
5. Administer and check posttest using copies from Handwashing Know How.

Enrichment Activities:
Curriculum integration activity for Language Arts-Introduce students to Charles Schulz's "Pig Pen" character.  Have them write a paragraph about what it would be like to be Pig Pen for a day.
Encourage students to visit appropriate websites to learn more about skin and its functions:  Infoplease; KidsHealth; 

Evaluation/Assessment:
Administer posttest "How You Should Wash Your Hands" (answer key)
Teacher will complete a rubric to assess student participation.

West Virginia IGO's:
Language Arts:  3.49; 3.15; 3.53; 4.52; 4.54
Health:  3.12; 3.13; 3.18; 3.19; 4.9; 4.11; 4.13
Technology:  3.99; 4.27

National Standards:
Language Arts:
1.   Uses the general skills and strategies of the writing process
3.  Uses the grammatical and mechanical conventions in written compositions
5.  Uses the general skills and strategies of the reading process
8.  Uses listening and speaking strategies for different purposes 
9.  Uses viewing skills and strategies to understand and interpret visual media
Health:
3.  Understands the relationship of family health to individual health
7.  Knows how to maintain and promote personal health
8.  Knows essential concepts about the prevention and control of disease
Technology:
5.  Understands the nature and operation of systems

References: 
Handwashing Know-How
Caught Dirty Handed
Why Is Handwashing Important?
Microsoft PowerPoint
BrainPOP
Infoplease
KidsHealth
 

Authors:
Leesa Hinte
Deloris Nelson 
NormaWilliams 
 
 
 

Overview

Lesson 1

Lesson 2

Lesson 3

Lesson 4

Lesson 5