Film Description: This animated and clearly narrated film starts off by talking about how archaeologists found cavities in the teeth of cavemen skulls. This is the BEST documentary about dental health for children because it then goes into detail explaining how cavities form and how cavities can be prevented. The film explains how there are sugar-loving bacteria in one’s mouth, and as they consume sugar they produce lactic acid. This acid wears down the enamel of the tooth, allowing bacteria to invade the tooth. That bacteria can start to cause pain the further down they go into the tooth. Then, it explains that cavities are caused by more than just a sugary diet. Cavities can also be caused by carbohydrates being converted to simple sugars and from genetics. The video then informs viewers of the ways that cavities can be avoided: Reducing sugar intake, brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist. This documentary is appropriate for 2nd graders and would fit very well in our dental health unit.
Film Review: This film starts off with a great hook to keep students interested by sharing about archaeologists finding cavities in the teeth of cavemen. It had a lot of higher level language, like microbes and carbohydrates, but TED-Ed did a great job simplifying those terms for students by clear and audible narration, showing written definitions, and using appealing and moving visuals to display the meanings. It explained the cause of cavities further than just a sugary diet, which is great for kids who might have struggled with cavities even after limiting their sugar intake. It explains why cavities are painful, and the problems cavities can cause if not properly taken care of. The video ends with education about how to prevent cavities. This was the BEST educational documentary film about dental health for our age group because it had high quality images and sound, explained complicated terms in a way young children could understand (with moving visuals), and gave a complete list of causes of cavities. Other educational dental health videos had lower quality images and spoke of a sugary diet as the only cause of cavities.
Learning Objective: Students will be able to write an informational text to inform readers about the cause and prevention of cavities and to demonstrate their learning.
Core Integration for 2nd Graders: After watching this video, we would have a discussion to recap what we learned. We could go back over the definitions the students learned from the video and have them define those terms in their own words. From this, we would create a word wall that students could use to remind themselves of their dental health vocabulary words. Then, students would be asked to write an informative text about the topic of cavities. They would introduce cavities and explain what causes them, providing definitions for the necessary terms. Then, students would wrap up their text by informing readers of how they can prevent cavities. After writing these informational texts, students would practice giving and receiving writing feedback by peer editing other students’ work. They would use the feedback they received to improve their text. Writing an informational text and strengthening writing are both writing standards for 2nd graders that could be integrated into this dental health unit.
Common Core Standards for 2nd Graders:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.2: Write informative/explanatory texts in which they introduce a topic, use facts and definitions to develop points, and provide a concluding statement or section.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.5: With guidance and support from adults and peers, focus on a topic and strengthen writing as needed by revising and editing.
National Health Education Standards (NHES):
NHES 1: “Students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention to
enhance health.”
PHW1.2.1 “Identify the proper steps for daily brushing and flossing teeth.”
HBO 1: “Brush and Floss Teeth daily.”
HBO 2: “Practice appropriate hygiene habits.”
PHW1.2.2 “State why hygiene is important to good health.”
HBO 1: “Brush and Floss Teeth daily.”
HBO 2: “Practice appropriate hygiene habits.”
PHW1.2.10 “Describe what it means to be healthy.”
HBO 6: “Practice behaviors that prevent infectious diseases.”
PHW1.2.11 “Identify different ways that disease-causing germs are transmitted.”
HBO 6: “Practice behaviors that prevent infectious diseases.”
PHW1.2.12 “Identify ways to prevent the spread of germs that cause common infectious diseases.”
HBO 6: “Practice behaviors that prevent infectious diseases.”
One thought on “Dental Health Documentary to Teach Kids About Cavities”
You have an interesting documentary there, plus the infographic. It is really good that at a young age children know how to properly take good care of their teeth.
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