Healthy Environment K-2 Integrated Media Resources

Carly Waner and Elizabeth Sutermeister

HLED 455

 

Documentary Film:

General Information:

• Viruses and Bacteria: The Story of The Warm Wet Spots (The Sneeze by Francois Chew)
• Producer: Ruby Petersen Unger
• 1994
• 21 minutes
• Rating: G

Description: This film describes how easily germs can spread in a way that is understandable and appropriate for grades K-2. The cartoon within the film called The Sneeze by Francois Chew, shows how germs spread quickly among humans in a real life scenario, through animation.

Review: The Sneeze by Francois Chew allows students to see how germs spread and thrive in warm, wet environments. Using cartoon animation, Chew was able to zoom into these warm wet spots and show how germs and bacteria multiply and spread. This film tells viewers not to sneeze into your hands and shows them exactly why not to, through vivid animation.

• The Sneeze video clip

 

Core Integration:

This video could be used and integrated into a science lesson about viruses and bacteria. Using the film as a resource, you could introduce viruses and bacteria as “germs” and ask students to determine how germs spread and what kinds of environments germs thrive and multiply in. According to the film, germs spread when someone coughs or sneezes into their hands and touches doorknobs, food, etc. and these germs will multiply if they are in warm, wet environments.

NHES Standards:

• Standard 1: Students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention to enhance health.

1.2.1: Identify that healthy behaviors impact personal health.

1.2.3: Identify ways to prevent communicable diseases.

• Standard 7: Students will demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors and avoid or reduce health risks.

7.2.1: Demonstrate healthy practices and behaviors to maintain or improve personal health.

• Learning Objectives: Students will become more aware of the different types of germs, what they do, and how they can prevent diseases and maintain a healthy environment.

“..Standards for K-5 reading in history/social studies, science, and technical subjects are integrated into the K-5 Reading standards.” (Core Standards):

• • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.1.7
    Use the illustrations and details in a text to describe its key ideas.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.1.8
    Identify the reasons an author gives to support points in a text.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.2.1
    Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.2.3
    Describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text.

 

Popular film:  

General Information:

• Sid the Science Kid: Season 1, Episode 18 “The Big Sneeze”
• Producer: Jim Henson, The Jim Henson Company
• 2008
• 23 minutes
• Rating: G

Brief Description: This episode of Sid the Science Kid explains what germs are and how they can spread. Sid is the main character of the show and it is through his experiences at home and at school that the audience can understand how germs spread and how we can stop them from spreading. It is very appropriate for grades K-2 and describes experiences that students in those grades can relate to. The songs and dances throughout the show make it engaging and fun to watch.

Review: In this episode of Sid the Science Kid, Sid’s dad is sick with a cold and is constantly sneezing. When Sid goes to school that day, his teacher helps explain to the students how germs can spread by not properly sneezing into your elbow and by not properly washing your hands with soap and water. There are a few videos embedded into the episode that show how people can effectively stop germs from spreading. I will further this connection by teaching a lesson that explains the concept of germs and how we can stay healthy by not spreading germs. This pertains to the classroom and school environment as well as my students home environment. At the end of this episode, Sid goes home and explains to his parents what he learned about germs that day and how they can all stay healthy. This shows how it could be beneficial for students and families of students as well.

• Sid the Science Kid video clip

 

Core Integration:

This video could also be integrated into the same science lesson. This video clip could be shown after The Sneeze video clip and discussing germs with the students as a class. This introduction would give students an idea of what type of environments germs can be found in. Showing this video clip of Sid the Science Kid after the first video would help students make connections between germs and school environments. After showing them this video, we could give students a handout that could be a maze showing where the places with the most germs in the classroom might be located. They can work on this handout in groups or in pairs. This can help inform students about germs while also helping to make the classroom a healthy environment. We could also incorporate other activities that include facts about germs such as a Mad Libs sheet that we could do as a class together. This can make learning about germs fun and beneficial for the whole class.

NHES Standards:

• Standard 1: Students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention to enhance health.

1.2.1: Identify that healthy behaviors impact personal health.

1.2.3: Identify ways to prevent communicable diseases.

• Standard 7: Students will demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors and avoid or reduce health risks.

7.2.1: Demonstrate healthy practices and behaviors to maintain or improve  personal health.

Core Standards:

Science as Inquiry Standards

• Levels K-4: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry, understanding about scientific inquiry

Physical Science Standards

• Levels K-4: Properties of objects and materials

Science in Personal and Social Perspectives

• Levels K-4: Personal health

 

• Learning Objectives: Students will become more aware of the different types of germs, what they do, and how they can prevent diseases and maintain a healthy environment.