Big Sneeze

Procedures

1. Have a discussion about germs and how they spread colds.
2. 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.
3. Explain that the class will be demonstrating what happens if they don't cover their sneezes.
4. 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?
5. Give each student a tissue.
6. 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!
    

7. As an extension activity, let the students rub some finger paint on the palms of their hands.
8. Have them walk casually around the room for a few minutes talking to each other, playing with toys, and touching different objects.
9. Ask students to look around the room at everything that has paint on it.
10. 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?
11. Have each child wash his hands.
12. Take a few minutes and have students help clean off the paint from the classroom with wet, soapy, paper towels.

Adapted from Science Surprises! Ready-to-Use Experiments & Activities for Young Learners by Jean R. Feldman, Ph.D.