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KS1: Respiratory Hygiene

In this lesson, students learn how easily microbes can be spread through coughs and sneezes by recreating a sneeze.

Scroll down to find out more and to download the resources.

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Learning objectives
All students will:
  • Understand there can be harmful microbes in our coughs and sneezes
  • Understand that infection can be spread though coughs and sneezes
  • Understand that good respiratory practice can reduce the spread of infection
Most students will:
  • Understand that we can spread infection through touching surfaces after touching/ wiping our nose or holding a cough /sneeze
  • Understand how to develop best practice respiratory hygiene behaviours in everyday life to reduce the spread of infection
Background Information

Respiratory infections are infections that happen in the lungs, chest, sinuses, nose and throat, for example, coughs and colds, the flu and pneumonia. These infections can spread from person-to-person through the air, through person-to-person contact (touching hands, hugging, kissing) or by touching contaminated surfaces.

Good respiratory hygiene, such as covering your coughs and sneezes, can help prevent the spread of infections.

This lesson plan supports you to educate students on why respiratory hygiene matters, how microbes spread through sneezes and coughs, and how infection spread can be prevented.

Activities
Main activity:
  • Snot Runway
Main Activity video
Extension activities:
  • Sneeze Facts
  • Super Slimy Snot
  • Sneezy Wordsearch
  • Fill in the Blanks
Curriculum links

PHSE/RHSE:

  • Health and prevention

Science:

  • Working scientifically
  • Living things and their habitats

English:

  • Reading and comprehension
  • Spoken language

Mathematics

  • Comparing measurements
Supporting Materials
Teacher sheets
Hand Washing and Nose Blowing Flashcards
Student worksheets
SW1 Picture Sequencing
SW2 Healthy Hands Washing Progress Chart