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KS2: Hand Hygiene

In this lesson plan, students learn how easily harmful microbes can be spread through coughs and sneezes and recreate a giant sneeze, embedding good respiratory hygiene behaviours.

Scroll down for more information and to download the resources.

Decorative
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Learning objectives

  • Understand how infections can be spread through coughs and sneezes and how practising proper hygiene can help prevent their transmission.

Background Information

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

Coughing and sneezing is a way in which our body tries to get rid of any harmful microbes and particles we might inhale from getting deeper into our respiratory tract. It is important that good respiratory hygiene is taught from a young age, and that key messages are built on over time. This is especially important in the approach to the winter cold/flu season each year, or when there is an outbreak of an infectious disease.

This lesson plan supports students to understand why respiratory hygiene matters and what good practice looks like. They do this through creating a giant sneeze, and identifying how different barriers can prevent harmful microbes from spreading.

Activities

Main activity:
  • Super Sneezes
Main Activity video
Extension activities:
  • Super Slimy Snot
  • Poster
  • Respiratory Hygiene Quiz
  • Fill in the Blanks

Curriculum links

Curriculum Key Elements

  • Personal Health and Moral Character

Curriculum Skills

  • Communication
  • Using Mathematics
  • Thinking
  • Problem Solving and Decision Making

Curriculum Areas of Learning

  • Personal Development and Mutual Understanding (PDMU)
  • The World Around Us (TWAU)

Supporting Materials

Teacher sheets
KS2 Respiratory hygiene teacher guidance
KS2 Snot gun - video transcript
Student worksheets
SW1 Super sneezes recording sheet
SW2 Respiratory hygiene quiz
SW3 Respiratory hygiene fill in the blanks worksheet
Student handouts
SH1 Super slimy snot activity