Download lesson plan for junior cycle pupils covering cough/ sneezing

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LESSON PLAN FOR SENIOR CYCLE PUPILS COVERING COUGH/
SNEEZING ETIQUETTE , HAND WASHING PRACTICES,SYMPTOMS
OF FLU AND INFECTION CONTROL
Strand: Myself
Strand Unit: Taking Care of My Body
Aim:
To promote the health of the child and provide a foundation for healthy living in all its
aspects.
Objectives:
 To enable the child to continue to develop an understanding of and appreciation
for healthy living, an ability to implement healthy behaviour and a willingness to
participate in activities that promote and sustain health
 To enable the child to identify and be aware of the different ways in which disease
and infections are spread and to be aware of some communicable diseases
 To enable the child to understand the relationship between health & hygiene and
to establish hygiene practices and techniques as outlined by HSE and the Dept. of
Health & Children Guidelines.
Resources:
1. Posters/pictures from Third World areas. (Download from internet) 2. Tissues/ Kitchen
Roll. 3. Medicated Gel/Spray. 4. HSE Posters (x3). Help Stop the Flu from Spreading (Catch it, Bin it, Kill it), Hand Washing Techniques & Influenza A (H1N1) (available to
download from www.hse.ie) 5. Flip chart/markers.
Research: Read information regarding H1N1 available for schools/management/parents
on www.cpsma.ie
Development:
 Show pictures of children/adults in third world countries. Place pupils into groups
of four/five and ask them to discuss the reasons why infection/germs might
spread rapidly in a third World country. Pupils will be familiar with television
images which show the plight of people in these areas
 List the results on flip chart and discuss briefly the variety of responses particularly those which the pupils may have been unaware of
 Discuss the circumstances under which infection thrives in these areas
 Compare the situation in Ireland in relation to transmission of infection. Record on
flip chart. Highlight the access to medicines/immunisations and difference in
hygiene standards between Ireland and third world countries
 Discuss the consequences of poor hand hygiene in the absence of access to
washing facilities
 Discuss the ways in which germs/bacteria may be transmitted due to poor hand
washing techniques even in our own country/school/home
 Discuss instances where infection has become widespread in Ireland e.g. winter
vomiting bug, measles, chicken pox etc. Pupils may raise/discuss media reports in
relation to Swine Flu. Discuss with pupils the origin of the infection and the
importance of good hygiene standards as an aid to combating the infection.
Preventing the spread of germs is the most effective way in slowing the spread of
flu.
Demonstrate the correct hand wash technique to pupils (as shown on the Hand
Washing Technique Poster www.hse.ie ). Put poster in a prominent position in
the classroom.
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Tell pupils that they must keep washing soapy hands for as long as it takes to sing
the ‘Happy Birthday’ song. (Pupils may ‘sing’ song in their heads). Get children to
demonstrate the technique to one another in pairs
Suggest to pupils that they might be paired with pupils in junior classes to assist
in demonstrating the technique
Remind pupils of the discussion regarding third World countries and how washing
of hands might be impossible there due to lack of basic facilities. Explain how
access to basic washing facilities could save countless lives. Remark on how
fortunate we are in Ireland to have direct access to proper washing facilities
Show children the sanitizer hand wash and explain how/why it can be used to kill
germs/bacteria. Draw attention to the use of these hand washes in hospitals,
doctors’ surgeries, dental clinics. Discuss the importance of this
Discuss how germs/infection can enter the body through hand contact. Talk
about the route germs may take to enter the body – nose, mouth, cuts. Focus
with pupils on how quickly germs/bacteria can spread by not washing hands
properly.
List some of the more common illnesses the pupils may have contracted e.g.
chicken pox, mumps etc. and due to modern medicines and hygiene practices
they made full and speedy recoveries
Talk about why it is important to keep our nails short
Design posters for use throughout the school which would encourage everyone to
wash hands in the correct manner and at key times
Consider where these posters could be displayed to maximum effect.
Coughing /sneezing
 Recall with pupils the previous class discussion regarding transmission of
germs/bacteria
 Discuss with pupils times they may cough/sneeze
 Talk about what happens when we cough/sneeze. Explain how droplet
transmission is how many of us pick up infections
 Ask pupils to discuss in groups why sneezes/coughs pass germs/bacteria so
easily. Talk about how quickly infections can spread through families/classes
 Recall the origin of ‘Ring-o-Roses’ the children’s game and how the rhyme refers
to the deaths due to the plague. Again, remind pupils of the era in which this
occurred and how medicines and hygiene practices have advanced since then
 Discuss what might happen if children cough/sneeze into their hands. Talk about
how quickly the germs can be passed on and how this way of spreading germs
hasn’t changed over the years. What happens when someone coughs/sneezes
without covering their mouth/nose?
 Discuss with pupils how a persistent cough/sneeze may indicate illness.
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Demonstrate with tissues, how to Catch it, Bin it , Kill it!!! Display a poster in a
prominent place
 Demonstrate the ‘emergency’ technique of catching a cough/sneeze in the inside
of the elbow if there are no tissues available. Explain how people working in hotel
kitchens/restaurants are trained in this technique. Discuss why this would be
important/ relevant
 Recommend that each pupil has their own packet of tissues and hand wipes with
them in their school bag. Remember, only use a tissue once for a sneeze or
cough.
Am I
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sick?
Discuss with pupils symptoms that may indicate they are ill
Tell pupils body heat may occur for different reasons, other than illness
Get pupils to discuss in groups when they may feel very hot. List the answers on
flip chart
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Explain to pupils that our body temperature is normally approx. 98.6 F. If we are
sick our temperature rises and if it reaches 100.4(F) or 38 (C) we should see a
doctor. We probably have a headache and sore throat at this stage too
Outline the symptoms of flu as indicated on Influenza A (H1N1) chart
(www.hse.ie) - Display poster. Compare flu symptoms to those of the common
cold
Impress the importance of remaining at home if pupils are ill.
Conclusion:
 Discuss with pupils how we play our part in arresting the transmission of bacteria
which cause infection (as in the case of H1N1)
 Ask pupils to recount the techniques for hand washing and sneezing/coughing
using a tissue
 Display
posters
produced
by
pupils
in
appointed
areas
around
classroom/school/toilet areas
 Establish a ‘Hygiene Corner’ in classroom where pupils can access tissues, kitchen
roll, hand sanitizer/wipes etc as needed. Display pupil’s drawings/colouring in this
area also. Keep up to date information available for pupils to read in this area
 Encourage pupils to use Sanitizers which may be available at entrances to school,
in an appropriate manner.(If school has such a measure in place)
 ‘Buddy’ pupils with junior pupils to help demonstrate techniques where
appropriate
 Reinforce hand washing technique each time pupils visit toilet, finish eating or as
appropriate. Remind pupils that they must encourage family members to follow
their example. Information for non English speaking parents is available on
www.hse.ie
 Draw attention to posters as often as is practical, again to reinforce good practice.
 It may be possible to invite the school nurse/parent who is a nurse to come and
demonstrate the safe practices above. This can reinforce the importance of the
exercises and promote a greater awareness among the pupils
 Ensure that SEN pupils are supported by SNA, resource teacher, language
support teacher or ‘buddy’ as appropriate, who follow the lesson content
as outlined by class teacher.