Introduction
A kindergarten classroom is a joyously chaotic place to be. Colleagues often approach my classroom with caution, not necessarily because of the noise or unpredictability, but because five-year-olds seem to be constantly leaking mucus and greet every germ they meet with a welcoming disposition. This causes their sweet faces and joyful personalities (as well as their unsanitary habits) to be avoided. When I began teaching, the biggest piece of wisdom and advice I received was that for students to successfully complete any objective, the procedures must be taught explicitly. Of course, this applies to mathematical techniques and reading skills, in kindergarten it also applies to hygiene and how to carry yourself in the world in order to be a healthy and considerate member of society.
My unit, “Caring for Each Other: Germs, Health, and Community Responsibility,” is an interdisciplinary, explorative set of lessons designed for kindergarten students, though it could be adapted and implemented across all grade levels. Hygiene and citizenship are tools that all students should have. Taught over the course of two weeks for 30 minutes each day, the unit introduces the basics of germs, environmental causes of illness, and strategies for maintaining personal and community health. Students will focus on how germs move through air, water, and surfaces of shared spaces such as homes, schools, classrooms, and bathrooms, and explore the collective actions we can take to create the healthiest classroom possible. Through hands-on experiments, students will investigate the cause and effect of practices like handwashing, using humidifiers and/or air purifiers, and covering sneezes and coughs. A public health video, styled like a PSA, will be created and shared to build a stronger sense of community and promote awareness around wellness and safety in our school.
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