Health: Germs and How Illness Spreads
Learning how germs move and how to slow them down
Health: Germs and How Illness Spreads
Learning how germs move and how to slow them down
Health - Grade 2-3
- 1
What are germs? Write one sentence that explains what germs are in a kid-friendly way.
Think about tiny things that can be on hands, tables, or toys.
Germs are tiny living things or particles that can sometimes make people sick. They are so small that we usually cannot see them without special tools. - 2
Circle the healthy choice: You sneeze. Should you sneeze into your hands or into your elbow?
You should sneeze into your elbow because it helps keep germs off your hands and slows the spread of illness. - 3
Why is it important to wash your hands with soap and water after using the bathroom?
Think about what your hands touch before you eat or play.
It is important to wash your hands after using the bathroom because germs can get on your hands, and soap and water help wash them away. - 4
Put these handwashing steps in the correct order: rinse, scrub with soap, wet hands, dry hands.
You need water before you add soap.
The correct order is wet hands, scrub with soap, rinse, and dry hands. Scrubbing with soap should last about 20 seconds. - 5
A friend has a cough and offers you a sip from their water bottle. What should you do, and why?
You should politely say no and use your own water bottle. Sharing drinks can spread germs from one person to another. - 6
True or false: Germs can spread when a sick person coughs or sneezes near other people.
Think about little drops that come from the nose or mouth.
This statement is true. Coughing and sneezing can send tiny droplets with germs into the air or onto nearby surfaces. - 7
Name two times during the school day when it is a good idea to wash your hands.
Two good times to wash your hands are before eating lunch and after using the bathroom. It is also smart to wash after recess, after blowing your nose, or after touching shared items. - 8
Look at the choices: pencil, tissue, soccer ball, sandwich. Which one should you use to cover or catch a runny nose?
Choose the item that can be thrown away after using it.
You should use a tissue to cover or catch a runny nose. Then you should throw the tissue away and wash your hands. - 9
Explain how germs might travel from a doorknob to your body.
Germs can get on a doorknob when someone touches it. If you touch the doorknob and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth, germs can enter your body. - 10
Mia feels sick and has a fever. What is one way she can help keep classmates from getting sick?
Think about what helps a sick person rest and keeps others safe.
Mia can help by staying home with an adult's permission until she is better. Resting at home helps her recover and keeps germs away from classmates. - 11
Which action helps stop germs from spreading: washing hands before eating or touching food with dirty hands? Explain your choice.
Washing hands before eating helps stop germs from spreading. Clean hands help keep germs off food and out of your mouth. - 12
Draw or describe one place in a classroom where germs can often be found because many students touch it.
Think about things many hands touch.
A place where germs can often be found is a doorknob, pencil sharpener, desk, computer keyboard, or shared toy. These objects are touched by many students during the day. - 13
Why should you try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands?
You should try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands because germs on your hands can enter your body through those places. - 14
A classmate says, "I cannot see germs, so they are not there." Is this correct? Explain your answer.
Some real things are too small to see without special tools.
This is not correct. Germs are too small to see with just our eyes, but they can still be on hands, surfaces, and objects. - 15
Write one healthy habit that helps your body stay strong against illness.
Think about rest, food, clean hands, and help from doctors.
One healthy habit is getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, drinking water, washing hands, or getting vaccines recommended by a doctor. These habits help protect the body and reduce the spread of germs.