Germ Defense Slides LIFE SKILLS HEALTH • HIGH SCHOOL
Unit: Daily Wellness
STOP THE SPREAD
How cold germs travel, how our bodies fight back, and daily habits that keep you and your friends healthy.
How Germs Move
Air, touch, surfaces
Daily Shield
Hands, elbow coughs
Body Signals
Rest & speaking up
1 What Are Cold Germs?
The Basics
Invisible Invaders
Germs (viruses) are tiny living invaders. You cannot see them without a strong microscope, but they can enter your body through your nose, mouth, or eyes.
They Make You Feel "Off"
When cold germs enter your body, your immune system works overtime to fight them off. That is why you feel tired and get a runny nose!
Remember This Key Fact:
Germs do NOT jump or fly on their own. They need a ride —and people accidentally give them a ride every single day!
Quick Check: Can you see cold germs on a door handle? No, they are microscopic!
2 How Do Colds Travel Between People?
3 Germ Highways
1. Air Droplets
When someone coughs or sneezes without covering, tiny wet droplets fly through the air up to 6 feet away .
Example: Sneezing openly in class.
2. Direct Touch
Wiping your nose with your hand, then giving a high-five or holding hands transfers germs directly skin-to-skin.
Example: High fives after coughing.
3. Shared Objects
Cold germs can live on phones, keyboards, desk tops, and water bottles for several hours waiting for the next touch!
Example: Passing your phone to a friend.
Touch your face? Germs move from your fingers right into your eyes, nose, or mouth!
3 Your 3 Power Habits (Block the Spread)
Daily Actions
Wash 20 Seconds
Warm water + soap. Scrub palms, backs of hands, and between fingers. Sing "Happy Birthday" twice in your head!
Rule: Always before eating & after bathroom!
The Elbow Catch
Never sneeze into bare hands. Cough or sneeze into your inside elbow sleeve, or trap it in a clean tissue and toss it.
Rule: Keep hands germ-free!
Wipe High Touches
Wipe down your smartphone screen, desk, and doorknobs. Do not share water bottles, lip balm, or utensils.
Rule: Don't share drink bottles!
Good hygiene isn't just about you—it protects classmates and teachers around you!
4 Recognize Symptoms: How Does It Feel?
Listen to Your Body
Common Cold Signs:
Scratchy, sore throat
Stuffy or runny nose
Frequent coughing or sneezing
Feeling exhausted or having a headache
What Should You Do?
Tell a teacher, school nurse, or parent.
Drink lots of water and warm fluids.
Rest your body to help your immune system fight.
Stay home if you have a fever or heavy cough.
Self-Advocacy Line:
"I'm feeling run down and my throat hurts. Can I visit the nurse?"
5 Real Life Challenge: What Would You Do?
Class Discussion
Scenario A: Group Project
Marcus is sitting next to you working on a poster. He sneezes right into his hands, then immediately picks up the shared markers.
→ How can you protect yourself kindly? What should Marcus do?
Scenario B: Cafeteria Thirst
Your classmate forgot their drink at lunch and asks: "Can I take a quick sip from your water bottle? I'm super thirsty."
→ How do you respond politely without spreading germs?
Remember: Speaking up about hygiene shows respect for everyone!
Stop The Spread Lesson Plan Life Skills Health • High School Special Education
STOP THE SPREAD: COLD & GERM DEFENSE
Duration: 40-45 Mins
Focus: Hygiene & Wellness
Essential Question
How do invisible cold germs travel, and what practical daily choices keep me and my community healthy?
Learning Objectives (SWBAT)
Identify the 3 primary pathways cold germs travel (droplets, touch, surfaces).
Demonstrate 20-second handwashing and correct elbow sneeze/cough posture.
Distinguish cold symptoms from wellness and practice 1 self-advocacy phrase to report illness.
Materials Needed
Germ Defense Slide Deck (interactive display)
Student Activity Worksheets & Highlighters/Pens
Sink, soap, and paper towels (or hand sanitizer pump)
Optional demo: glitter or washable lotion on hands
Key Vocabulary
• Germ: Tiny invisible virus
• Droplet: Wet spray from sneeze
• Surface: High-touch shared items
• Self-Advocacy: Speaking up
Step-by-Step Lesson Procedure
Phase 1: Hook & Schema Activation (8 Mins) Slides 1 • Class Warm-up
Hook Question: "Have you ever wondered why half the school gets sick during November or February?"
Ask students to name things people do when they have a cold (sniffling, coughing).
Sensory / Visual Opener: Put a tiny dot of washable glitter/lotion on your hand and gently shake one student's hand, who then passes it to another to demonstrate how quickly touch transfers unseen particles.
Phase 2: Direct Instruction & 3 Highways (14 Mins) Slides 2 - 4 • Visual Modeling
Walk through the 3 Transmission Highways using high-contrast visual cues:
1. Air: Sneeze droplet clouds fly 6 feet. Have students hold up arms to visualize 6 feet.
2. Direct Touch: Hands touching hands, passing phones, shaking hands.
3. Shared Surfaces: Desks, door handles, cafeteria tables.
Model The 3 Power Habits: Practice the "Elbow Sneeze" posture together as a class. Emphasize why the inside sleeve traps wet droplets without contaminating fingers.
Stop The Spread • Special Education Life Skills Lesson Plan Page 1 of 2
Lesson Procedure (Cont.) & Teacher Supports
Germ Busters Student Worksheet GERM DEFENSE: STOP THE SPREAD
Life Skills Health Handout
Name:
Date:
Period:
1
Part 1: Spot the 3 Germ Highways
Check the correct way germs move
Read each everyday high school situation below. Check whether germs are spreading through Air Droplets , Direct Touch , or a Shared Surface .
A. Jordan sneezes across the cafeteria table without covering their nose or mouth.
Air Droplets Direct Touch Shared Surface
B. Sam wipes a runny nose on their sleeve, then gives their classmate a high-five in gym class.
Air Droplets Direct Touch Shared Surface
C. Taylor passes their smartphone to three friends to watch a music video.
Air Droplets Direct Touch Shared Surface
2
Part 2: The 20-Second Shield
Order the steps 1, 2, 3, 4
Write numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 in the circles to show the correct order for washing your hands properly.
Scrub with Soap
Rub palms, back of hands, and between fingers for 20 seconds.
Wet Your Hands
Turn on clean running water (warm or cold) to moisten hands.
Dry Cleanly
Use a clean paper towel to dry completely; turn tap off with towel.
Rinse Bubbles Away
Hold hands under running water until all soap and germs wash off.
Germ Defense Squad • Student Worksheet Page 1 of 2
Part 3: Real Life Health Choices
Decision Making
Look at each action below. Check whether it is a Healthy Choice (stops germs) or a Germ Trap (spreads germs).
1. Coughing directly into your inner elbow sleeve.
Instead of using your bare hands.
Healthy Choice Germ Trap
2. Sharing a lip balm and water bottle with a teammate.
During basketball practice after school.
Healthy Choice Germ Trap
3. Wiping off your phone screen with a disinfectant wipe.
At the end of the school day.
Healthy Choice Germ Trap
4. Rubbing your eyes with unwashed fingers after class.
While sitting in computer lab.
Healthy Choice Germ Trap
4
Part 4: My Voice Matters (Self-Advocacy)
Recognize & Communicate
A. Check 3 warning signs that your body might have a cold:
Germ Busters Answer Key Teacher Reference • Answer Key & Rubric
GERM BUSTERS: ANSWER KEY
Material: Student Worksheet
Level: High School SPED Life Skills
Part 1: Spot the 3 Germ Highways
A. Jordan sneezes across table:
• Air Droplets
Uncovered sneeze travels in air up to 6 feet.
B. Sam wipes nose & high-fives:
• Direct Touch
Mucus/germs transferred hand-to-hand directly.
C. Taylor passes phone to friends:
• Shared Surface
Device glass holds viruses for hours.
Part 2: 20-Second Shield Order
Wet Your Hands (Running water) Step 1
Scrub with Soap (20 seconds) Step 2
Rinse Bubbles Away Step 3
Dry Cleanly (Paper towel) Step 4
Teaching Note: Sing the "ABC song" or count slowly 1 to 20 for pacing support.
Part 3: Real Life Health Choices Answers
1. Elbow sleeve sneeze:
✓ Healthy Choice (Traps droplets, keeps hands sanitized)
2. Sharing lip balm & water:
✓ Germ Trap (Saliva carries high viral count)
3. Wiping phone screen:
✓ Healthy Choice (Disinfects high-touch surface)
4. Rubbing eyes with dirty fingers:
✓ Germ Trap (Mucous membranes allow direct germ entry)
Part 4: Symptoms & Self-Advocacy Scoring
A. Valid Cold Symptoms (any 3):
Correct: Sore, scratchy throatCorrect: Runny or stuffed noseCorrect: Frequent sneezingCorrect: Exhausted / low energyIncorrect distractors: High energy, hungry for lunch
B. Acceptable Self-Advocacy Scripts:
• "My throat hurts and I feel sick. Can I see the nurse?"
• "I need to wash my hands and get some water."
• "I have a bad cough. Can I please call home?"
Accept verbal dictation, AAC output, or pointing to visual sentence strip.
Life Skills / Transition IEP Progress Criteria: Goal: 80% Mastery over 3 trials
Level 3 (Mastered): Independently identifies routes, washes hands properly, advocates without prompting.
