Glitter Germs

Learning about germs and the importance of washing hands.

Objectives:

Students will have a concrete example as to why they should wash their hands with soap and warm water.
Students will understand that germs are smaller than the eye can see.

Materials:

Plan:

Procedure:

(Be sure to find out if any students have allergies to hand lotion.)

Ask: What is a germ? How big is it? Why is it important to wash your hands?
Put a small amount of hand lotion in each student’s hands. Have them rub it all over their hands.
Sprinkle, over a bucket, a small amount of glitter into each student’s hands. Have them rub their hands to spread the glitter evenly.
Next, have a few kids try to get the glitter off with dry paper towel.
Then, have a few kids try to get the glitter off with plain, cold water. After that, have a few kids use warm water, with soap, to get the glitter germs off.
Let everyone wash his or her hands with warm, soapy water.
Bring everyone back to circle and ask, “What does the glitter represent (Germs)? What happened when you tried to get it off with just paper towels? Cold water? Warm, soapy water? Why is it important to properly wash your hands?

Evaluation:

Assessment will be informally based on the Following Criteria:

Students will demonstrate proper hand washing with warm, soapy water.
Each student will understand that germs can be spread by not properly washing their hands.

Grade Level(s): K. 1-2
By: Terry Sayre