Achoo! Germs lurk everywhere, but we have powerful white blood cells to fight them. Take an amazing trip through the body to see how!Getting Started On every doorknob, in every bathroom sink, and around every corner lurks a multitude of enemies: infection-causing germs. Introduce your study of these invaders with a fun and mysterious classroom demonstration. A few minutes ahead of time (as you make your way to the front of the room), surreptitiously sur·rep·ti·tious adj. 1. Obtained, done, or made by clandestine or stealthy means. 2. Acting with or marked by stealth. See Synonyms at secret. tag as many students as you can with small stickers. Once they begin to notice and their interest is piqued, tell students: "Today we're going to learn about germs." Ask students if they've noticed the stickers that some of them may be tagged with; then explain that germs can cling to Verb 1. cling to - hold firmly, usually with one's hands; "She clutched my arm when she got scared" hold close, hold tight, clutch hold, take hold - have or hold in one's hands or grip; "Hold this bowl for a moment, please"; "A crazy idea took hold of them just as easily and silently! Next, invite students to share on chart paper what they already know about germs and how they are passed. Then ask them to pose questions about what they want to learn to get your unit started. [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Balloon Sneeze sneeze, involuntary violent expiration of air through the nose and mouth. It results from stimulation of the nervous system in the nose, causing sudden contraction of the muscles of expiration. With some sneezes topping 100 miles per hour, germs can spread pretty far and fast! One way to stop germs in their tracks is to use a tissue. Invite students to perform an experiment to find out why: Give small groups each a piece of tape, a meter stick, chalk, two-confetti filled balloons, a straight pin, safety goggles goggles, n the protective eyewear worn by dental personnel and patients during dental procedures. goggles see periocular leukotrichia. , and an 8 1/2" X 11" piece of cardboard. Show each group how to mark a starting line starting line n. Sports The point or line at which a race begins. Noun 1. starting line - a line indicating the location of the start of a race or a game scratch line, scratch, start on the floor with tape, then draw a 1'-diameter chalk circle Chalk Circle was a Canadian college rock band in the 1980s. The band consisted of lead singer and guitarist Chris Tait, bassist Brad Hopkins, keyboardist Tad Winklarz and drummer Derrick Murphy. (keeping the line in the center of the circle). Have groups each draw three more circles with diameters of 2', 3', and 4'. Next, ask students to put on their goggles and stand behind their group's starting line. Have them gently pop one of their balloons with a pin and count the number of confetti pieces that fell within each circle, then record these numbers and pick up the confetti from the floor. For the second balloon, have each group hold a piece of cardboard directly in front of the balloon as it is being popped. How many confetti pieces fell within the circle this time? [GRAPHIC OMITTED] [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Germ germ (jerm) 1. a pathogenic microorganism. 2. a living substance capable of developing into an organ, part, or organism as a whole; a primordium. Trivia Game Distribute the Germ Trivia Reproducible on page 54 to pairs of students. Invite them to take turns asking the trivia questions and collecting points: the number indicated on the card. Students can use white beans as counters to symbolize the white blood cells White blood cells A group of several cell types that occur in the bloodstream and are essential for a properly functioning immune system. Mentioned in: Abscess Incision & Drainage, Bone Marrow Transplantation, Complement Deficiencies in our bodies. When all the questions have been asked, students count the "white blood cells" they have collected; the one with the greater number of cells wins. Immune System immune system Cells, cell products, organs, and structures of the body involved in the detection and destruction of foreign invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells. Immunity is based on the system's ability to launch a defense against such invaders. Maps When we are exposed to germs, armies of white blood cells in our bodies defend us. These special infection fighters are produced in our lymph nodes Lymph nodes Small, bean-shaped masses of tissue scattered along the lymphatic system that act as filters and immune monitors, removing fluids, bacteria, or cancer cells that travel through the lymph system. (found in the tonsils tonsils, name commonly referring to the palatine tonsils, two ovoid masses of lymphoid tissue situated on either side of the throat at the back of the tongue. , armpits, and elsewhere), thymus thymus Pyramid-shaped lymphoid organ (see lymphoid tissue) between the breastbone and the heart. Starting at puberty, it shrinks slowly. It has no lymphatic vessels draining into it and does not filter lymph; instead, stem cells in its outer cortex develop into , spleen spleen, soft, purplish-red organ that lies under the diaphragm on the left side of the abdominal cavity. The spleen acts as a filter against foreign organisms that infect the bloodstream, and also filters out old red blood cells from the bloodstream and decomposes , and bone marrow. Invite students to find these areas on giant body-size "maps"! Divide the class into small groups. Have one student in each lie on butcher paper while the rest trace an outline of his or her body. Then, challenge each group to label the locations where white blood cells are made, as shown. [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Germ Farm This experiment is a great way to teach the importance of good hygiene. Give student pairs each two damp paper towels, two self-sealing baggies, and two slices of bread. Ask students to put a paper towel inside each baggie. Show thern how to rub their palms in a dusty spot on the floor, then press down firmly on one slice of bread. Pairs should put their bread, touched side up, on the paper towel inside one of the bags and label the bag "dusty hand." Next, have pairs wash their hands with soap and water, hold a second piece of bread by the crust, slip it into their other bag, and label it "clean hand." Place the sealed bags in a dark place. Observe daily; after a week, have students make their final observations. Challenge them to answer: What grew on the bread? (Mold.) On which piece did they first notice growth? ("Dusty hand.") Explain that mold grows from reproductive cells (spores), which are found in dirt and dust. Then throw the unopened bags away! [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Heroes & Villains Comic Book comic book Bound collection of comic strips, usually in chronological sequence, typically telling a single story or a series of different stories. The first true comic books were marketed in 1933 as giveaway advertising premiums. After students have learned more about the battle against viruses, invite them to design their own comic books! Share with students some examples of different titles written in a comic-book style, pointing out special features, such as the dialogue bubbles and pacing. Then ask students to create their own unique stories about the body's battle against invading germs. Encourage students to use their imaginations to name all the characters and events in their stories, and challenge them to come up with their own heroes and villains. [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Zap That Germ! White blood cells are like an army; as each soldier has specific duties, different types of white blood cells have their own jobs, too. Invite students to explore the body's fight against germs (such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi Fungi (fŭn`jī), kingdom of heterotrophic single-celled, multinucleated, or multicellular organisms, including yeasts, molds, and mushrooms. The organisms live as parasites, symbionts, or saprobes (see saprophyte). ) by writing and performing an original play entitled "Zap That Germ." The cast of characters can include virus cells, white blood cells, and red blood cells Red blood cells Cells that carry hemoglobin (the molecule that transports oxygen) and help remove wastes from tissues throughout the body. Mentioned in: Bone Marrow Transplantation red blood cells . When germs invade the body, the white blood cells react: one acts as a scout to spot the germs, others mark germs with antibodies so they can be seen, and the most powerful kill the invaders. Encourage students to devise their own props, dialogue, and movements to simulate a virus "attack" on the body. For example: [GRAPHIC OMITTED] VIRUS CELL: "I'm coming to infect you!" [Stands close to the Red Blood Cells.] RED BLOOD CELLS: "Help us! Help us!" VIRUS CELL: "I'll blend in Verb 1. blend in - blend or harmonize; "This flavor will blend with those in your dish"; "This sofa won't go with the chairs" blend, go fit, go - be the right size or shape; fit correctly or as desired; "This piece won't fit into the puzzle" . No one will notice me! Soon I will infect everyone!" WHITE BLOOD CELL 1: "Not so fast, Virus!" [Puts "antibody" sign on Virus.] WHITE BLOOD CELL 2: "There he is! We will fight you!" [White Blood Cells circle Virus.] VIRUS CELL: "But I have lots of friends! Let's go Let's Go may refer to: Television
WHITE BLOOD CELL 3: "You can't defeat us!" [White Blood Cells circle Virus cells.] In the final scene, all the players surround the virus cells, who crouch and lie down to symbolize that they have been defeated. RELATED ARTICLE: Germ Resources For even more resources on germs, visit www.scholasticinstructor.com Achoo! By Trudee Romanek (Kids Can Press, 2003). Part of the Mysterious You series, a title that's filled with activities and information. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Germ Zappers By Dr. Fran Balkwill & Mic Rolph (Cold Spring Harbor, 2002). Colorful yet accurate science information for kids. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] What are Germs? By Dr. Alvin Silverstein et al. (Franklin Watts, 2002). The newest title in the ongoing My Health series. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Germs Make Me Sick By Melvin Berger (HarperCollins, 1995). The perfect read-aloud for younger students. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] RELATED ARTICLE: GERM TRIVIA GAME Directions: What do you know about germs and the way your body fights them? Put it to the test with our trivia game. Here's how: 1 Cut out the entire set of Q and A squares (along the solid outline). [GRAPHIC OMITTED] 2 Fold it in half along the dotted line, so that the Qs are on one side, and the As on the other. Then glue the sides together, as shown. Let dry. [GRAPHIC OMITTED] 3 Cut apart the squares. Take turns asking a Question and checking the Answer on the reverse side. [GRAPHIC OMITTED] [GRAPHIC OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Patricia Janes is the editor of ScienceWorld. |
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