Lesson Plans K to Grade 3
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Lesson Plan #7: What is a Respiratory Infection?
Learning Objectives
- Students will define ‘respiratory infection.’
- Students will identify the symptoms of respiratory infections.
- Students will identify the consequences of respiratory infections.
- Students will identify how germs are spread.
- Students will identify ways to reduce the risk of spreading a respiratory infection.
Materials
- Blackboard/chart paper
Key Messages
- A respiratory infection is defined as an illness commonly caused by germs (bacteria or viruses).
- The symptoms of a respiratory infection include: coughing, sneezing, runny nose, headache, chills, fatigue, fever, and/or sore muscles.
- Respiratory infections have consequences: they can lead to other illnesses such as a sore throat, ear infection, sinus infection, tonsillitis and pneumonia, or they may exacerbate existing health conditions such as asthma. In addition, being sick may result in absenteeism of students and potential for academic losses.
- These infections can be spread by direct contact (large droplets or airborne particles from a cough or a sneeze), or indirect contact (contaminated objects or surfaces such as doorknobs, handrails and keyboards).
- To reduce the risk of spreading infection, use proper handwashing techniques, hand sanitizers, cough or sneeze into a tissue or into your upper arm, not into your hands, and keep your hands away from your face.
Key Words
| Respiratory infection Illness Bacteria Virus Symptoms |
Cough Sneeze Germs Runny nose Complication |
Infection Transmission Direct contact Indirect contact |
Method
- Reinforce key messages and key words throughout the unit by means of teacher directed discussions.
- Discuss students’ past and present experience with respiratory infections by means of questioning, brainstorming, role-playing, and demonstrations.
- Record key messages on a blackboard or chart paper as they are discussed.
Activity
- Have students reflect on current personal hand cleaning practices, then
ask the question: "With regard to reducing the risk of respiratory infections"...
- What should I stop doing?
- What should I continue doing?
- What should I start doing?
- May record responses using the following chart format:
| Stop | Continue | Start |
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