The Flu Virus
Grade Levels: 6 - 8
Overview
This lesson provides a general overview of viruses, and more detailed information on how the flu virus invades your body and spreads.
Objectives
- Students will understand what a virus is and how it works.
- Students will understand how the flu virus works and be able to identify its basic parts and actions.
Materials
- Crayons or markers and paper
- Copies of the Flu Virus Worksheet
Procedure
- Introduce key vocabulary: virus, influenza, infection, DNA, RNA.
- Go to http://www.microbe.org/microbes/virus1.asp. (It's not necessary to read the last two sections on other virus-like things and prions.) If possible, every student should have a copy of the article or be able to read the website.
- Review these questions:
- Are viruses alive? (They are inert until they come into contact with a suitable cell to infect.)
- Where are viruses found? (Everywhere on earth.)
- What purpose do viruses serve? (Their sole purpose is to reproduce.)
- How do they reproduce? (The virus uses the host cell's machinery for reproducing DNA to copy many versions of itself.)
- Ask students what virus is common to the winter and early spring months. (They should respond “The Flu.”)
- Have students work in small groups to complete the worksheet Flu Virus Worksheet.
- When they've completed the worksheet, give each group a few minutes to devise a “human sculpture” depicting part of the flu infection process. They should use their bodies to make a nonmoving simulation of some part of the process they have just studied. Have them perform their human sculptures for classmates, taking time to identify each depiction.
Assessment
- Have students trade papers and check their answers against the Flu Virus Worksheet Answer Key.
- Use a class-based clap meter to award praise to the sculptures that depict the flu virus well. Call on students to identify aspects of various sculptures.
Extensions
- Make posters and other educational materials to distribute school-wide – perhaps in conjunction with a vaccine program in your school or community – to educate fellow students about the flu.
- Develop baseball-type fact cards regarding other viruses.
