Elementary Science K/1

Created: 2007 05 14 | Percent completed:

Elementary Curriculum and Training » Elementary Science K

Lesson | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |

Perspective: Direct Instruction.
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Unit 1 The Human Body - Overview

Lesson deal with taking care of the body through cleanliness, rest, and healthy eating. Develop healthy habits at the beginning of the school year and assist children in following procedures all year long that are developed in September. Ex: Ensure students wash their hands prior to eating.

Review proper ways to cover the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing and to wash after sneezing and coughing. Provide opportunity to eat healthy foods at snack time. Emphasize the importance of rest and how the body requires time to 'recharge' if nap time is a part of your day.

Lesson 1 - Skin & Germs

Recognize that the whole body is covered by skin.

Read a book to the children that talks about skin, germs, and cleanliness.

Understand the importance of washing the skin as protection against germs.

It is very important to keep our skin clean and healthy with soap and water. We are going to do an experiment to see whether there is dirt on our hands right now. Probably every one of you washed your hands and face, and maybe even your whole bodies before coming to school today. You wash your hands every time you finish going to the bathroom and before you eat your meals. You may think your hands are clean enough.

Next, show the children the two peeled potatoes, drawing attention to their color. Dry the potatoes with a paper towel to absorb any excess water before passing them around. Pass one of the peeled potatoes among all of the children. Place it on a paper plate that you have labeled unwashed hands, then have the children take a good look at the potato and tell what they see.

Have all the children wash their hands and then pass the second potato around. Place it on a paper plate that you have labeled washed hands. Have the children observe the difference between the potatoes at this point, and then compare the potatoes at several points later in the day. Invite them to talk about their observations, and write on the board anything that helps confirm the relationship between washing hands, cleanliness, and germs.

Activities

As a review of the way the human body moves, teach the children the poem, Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes (to the tune of Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush).

Head, shoulders, knees, and toes.

Head, shoulders, knees, and toes,

As fast as I can.

Ears, tummy, hips, and shins.

Ears, tummy, hips, and shins,

As fast as I can.

First say (or sing) the words for the children, touching each body part as it is named. Next, have them join you. After they have done it a few times, speed it up so they will move faster in reaching for the parts of the body they name. (You may want to teach the two verses separately, adding the second verse only after the children have caught on to the words and movements of the first.

Books

Berger, Melvyn. Germs Make Me Sick. New York: HarperCollins, 1985, 1995.

Carrick, Donald. Milk. New York: Greenwillow, 1985.

Caseley, Judith. Grandpa's Garden Lunch. New York: Greenwillow, 1990.

Cobb, Vicki. Brush, Comb, Scrub: Inventions to Keep You Clean. New York; HarperCollins, 1989, Harper Torphy, 1993.

dePaola, Tomie. Pancakes for Breakfast. San Diego: HBJ, 1978.

Ehlert, Lois. Growing Vegetable Soup. San Diego: HBJ, 1987.

Gross, Ruth Belov. What's On My Plate? New York: Macmillan, 1990.

Rice, Judith. Those Mean Nasty Dirty Disgusting but...Invisible Germs. Toys'n'Things Press, 1989.