Big Sneeze
Grade Levels: Pre-K - 2
Objectives
- Students will practice observation skills.
- Students will learn how germs are spread.
Materials
- Baby powder
- Tissues
- Optional:
- Washable finger paint
- Liquid soap
- Paper Towels
Procedures
- Have a discussion about germs and how they spread colds.
- Ask the children why it's important for them to cover their mouths with the inside of their elbows or a tissue when they sneeze or cough.
- Explain that the class will be demonstrating what happens if they don't cover their sneezes.
- Sprinkle a little powder on the palm of your hand, then pretend to sneeze on it. Ask the students:
- What happened to the powder?
- How are germs like the powder?
- Give each student a tissue.
- Practice sneezing and coughing with a tissue as the class says the following poem:
When I cough or go kerchoo, This is what I always do. I cover my mouth with a tissue, So my germs won't get on you!
- As an extension activity, let the students rub some finger paint on the palms of their hands.
- Have them walk casually around the room for a few minutes talking to each other, playing with toys, and touching different objects.
- Ask students to look around the room at everything that has paint on it.
- Ask the students:
- What happens when you don't wash your hands and you have germs on them?
- How can you stop germs from spreading?
- Have each child wash his hands.
- Take a few minutes and have students help clean off the paint from the classroom with wet, soapy, paper towels.

