Food and Beverages - Safe Food Practices

Hand Washing: Grades 5 - 8

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Good Guys/ Bad Guys

1. Divide the students into groups.
2. Have each group pick a bacteria or virus and find out where it's found, what illness or disease it causes and how it's transmitted.
3. Have groups present their bacteria to the rest of the class and give suggestions on how to prevent becoming ill from their micro-organism.
4. Have at least one group select a beneficial bacterium and discuss different types of beneficial bacteria after each presentation is complete.

Source: Wellington-Dufferin Guelph Health Unit. Down With Germs - An educational kit to promote handwashing in schools.

The Art of Bacteria

1. Ask students to find and research magnified bacteria and viruses.
2. Have students draw their own pictures of bacteria or viruses as they may be seen under the microscope. Label the pictures with their scientific names.
3. Use the pictures to discuss the difference between bacteria and viruses and the illnesses or diseases that they cause.

Source: Wellington-Dufferin Guelph Health Unit. Down With Germs - An educational kit to promote handwashing in schools.

The Story of Bacteria

1. Have students write an adventure story from the point of view of the bacteria, including efforts to stay on hands during hand washing.
2. Discuss with students how the action of hand washing lifts micro organisms off hands and washes them down the drain.

Source: Wellington-Dufferin Guelph Health Unit. Down With Germs - An educational kit to promote handwashing in schools.