Stop the Spread of Germs

Teach How to Not Spread Germs

(A good lesson for the first day of school)

Objective: Introduce the concept of germs as micro-organisms that can make us sick.  Teach children how to stop the spread of germs.

Preparation:  Have the following materials:

• Hand washing facilities
• Liquid foam soap
• Paper towels
• Materials for model germs such as pom-poms, pipe cleaners, wiggly eyes, foam shapes, etc.
• Construction paper
• Decide on a book to read — Suggested books:  Germs are not for Sharing by Elizabeth Verdick, Germs! Germs! Germs! By Bobbi Katz, The Adventures of Micki Microbe by Maurine Burnham Guymon

Lesson:

Read the book(s) then discuss.  Discussion Questions:

• What are germs?  Germs are tiny living things called micro-organisms. They can’t be seen with our eyes alone, but they can sometimes make us sick.
• How are germs spread?  When you sneeze or cough germs rush out of your nose and mouth into the air.  Germs can be on your hands although they cannot be seen and can spread to things you touch.
• How do we prevent them from spreading?  Cover your face when you sneeze or cough with your elbow or shoulder to stop the spread of germs with your hands.  If you stay home when you are sick, your friends at school won’t get sick.
• When is it important to wash your hands?  You need to wash our hands after you cough, sneeze or blow your nose, play with a pet, or go to the bathroom.  We need to also wash our hands before we eat.

Have the children practice washing their hands.  Role-play washing hands.  (Squirt soap on hands then rub in for about 20 seconds or the length of a simple song, then wash and dry.)

Activity: Make Model Germs

It is fun to have children create germs.  Have the children make “germs” from pom-poms, pipe cleaners, and foam pieces glued to construction or heavy paper.  You can have them draw on eyes or use wiggly eyes or sequins.  Let them be creative and show their interpretation of what germs look like.  Write the word “germs” on the paper.

For more educational materials and information visit www.phonicsbyspelling.com

 

Discipline Tip–First Day of School

Discipline Tip—First Day of School       

 

The beginning of a new school year is a good time to set the tone for the year at home and in the classroom.  Here are a few tips to make the first day of school the start of a great year:

·       Know every child’s name and work to make each feel welcome to your class or your home.  It is fun to sing a simple song that includes each child’s name, for example “Here we are together, together, together.  Here we are together in our school.  There’s ____, and _____, and (continue to include all the children).

·       Only have a few rules and voice them in a positive manner.  (Never use the word “Don’t”.  It just puts ideas in their heads.)  Sample rule:  “In our school everyone treats everyone kindly.” (Then invite the children to create ideas of how they can treat each other kindly.  With children who can read you can help them create a list of the positive ideas the children come up with.)

·       SMILE!

·       Believe children can mind and behave.  Your attitude is contagious.  

·       Plan fun, simple, and short activities.  Keep it a fun, interesting day. 

·       Set a simple routine.  This way, children know what to look forward to each day.  Vary the activities inside the routine.

·       Never use bribery.

Have a great, enjoyable new school year.

For more educational tips and information visit www.phonicsbyspelling.com

Teach About Manners

Teach About Manners

Objective: Children will learn what types of behavior (manners) are expected at school. (Best taught in the first few days of school.) (You are a role model! Your polite example is the best way to teach manners.) 

Preparation:  Gather the following materials:

• watercolors
• paper
• water cup  (Yoplait cups work great without spilling.)
• paint shirts to protect their clothes.
• Decide on a book to read: 
  • Suggested books:
    • Big Black Bear by Wong Herbert Ye 
    • Clifford’s Manners by Norman Bridwell

Lesson: Read the book(s) then discuss:

• Explain to the children we want EVERYONE to enjoy school.  Good manners help everyone to be have a good day.  
• When we play nicely together and are polite to each other, we are using good manners.  When we use good manners children want to play with you. 
• At snack time, we wait for our turn as the teacher passes out the snack. When she asks if we want something, we either say “Yes, please” or “No, thank you”.  If we want something, we just raise our hands or our cups.   (Spend time during snack time reviewing the manners for snacks.)

Possible Discussion Questions: 

• What should you say if you walk in front of someone or bump into someone? “Excuse me.”
• What should you say when you ask for something?  “Please.”
• What should you say when someone gives you something?  “Thank You.”
• What should you say if you hurt someone’s feelings? “I’m Sorry.”
• Is it polite to interrupt someone who is trying to talk? No! If you want to talk, you raise your hand and wait for your turn.
• Is it polite to whisper?  No, it might hurt their feelings.
• At snack time what do we say if we don’t want the snack?  Simply say; “No, Thank you.”

Activity:Watercolor 
Have the children watercolor a picture of themselves using manners.   
(This activity can be used to teach children how to watercolor while keeping 
the area and paint colors clean.) 
Here are some suggested guidelines: 

•  Have the children get a piece of paper, their paints, a cup of water, and place them on a tray.
•  Have them put on a paint shirt to protect their clothes.
•  Explain that we need to keep from mixing the colors together so we:  Dip the brush in the water… in the paint color….paint on the paper.  Repeat with each new color.  Possibly use this chant:  WATER… COLOR… PAPER.  Have them repeat the chant several times as they paint.

For more educational products and information visit www.phonicsbyspelling.com