Your Health Lesson Plan Your Health, Your Hands!
Lesson Plan • 7th Grade Health
45 Minutes
Learning Objective
Students will be able to identify key personal hygiene practices, explain their importance in preventing the spread of germs and illness, and commit to at least two daily health habits.
Why This Matters
Understanding personal health and hygiene is fundamental for students to maintain their own well-being and contribute to a healthier school and community environment.
Teacher Prep
Review the slide deck and script.
Ensure projector/whiteboard is functional.
Prepare writing materials for students.
Optional: Soap or hand sanitizer for demonstration.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Instructional Sequence
5 min
Warm-Up: Health Habits Check-In
Distribute the warm-up worksheet. Students silently reflect on their current habits. Briefly discuss responses to gauge prior knowledge.
10 min
Introduction to Personal Health
Use Slides 1-3 to introduce the topic. Use the hook question to pique interest and clearly state the day's mission.
15 min
Discussion: Germ Busters!
Facilitate a class discussion (Slides 4-7) about common germs and how they spread. Emphasize handwashing superpower and respiratory etiquette.
10 min
Activity: My Daily Health Pledge
Guide students through Slide 8 to think of 2 specific health habits to improve. Students write these as formal pledges.
5 min
Cool Down: My Health Pledge
Distribute exit tickets. Students formalize their pledge and reflect on the benefits. Collect as they leave.
Resources & Materials
Slide Deck
Warm-Up Worksheet
Discussion Guide
Pledge Exit Ticket
Teacher Script
Projector/Whiteboard
Your Health Slide Deck Your Health,
Your Hands!
Protecting Yourself and Others Every Day
Today's Mission:
1
Identify key personal hygiene practices.
2
Explain why these practices stop the spread of germs.
3
Commit to two daily health habits.
Why is Hygiene Important?
Prevents
Illness
Keeping germs away keeps you in class and having fun.
Boosts
Confidence
Feeling clean and fresh helps you feel your best.
Protects your
Community
When you stay healthy, you protect friends and family.
Germ Busters!
Unmasking the invisible invaders...
What exactly are germs?
Where do they hide?
How do they spread?
The Superpower of Handwashing
When?
After the bathroom, before eating, and after coughing.
How?
Scrub with soap for 20 seconds. (Sing 'Happy Birthday' twice!)
20 SECONDS
The Magic Number
More Hygiene Habits!
Cover coughs & sneezes
Shower regularly
Brush your teeth
Don't share drinks/lip balm
Stopping Germs in Their Tracks!
Handwashing is your #1 defense.
Always cover your coughs and sneezes.
Good hygiene protects the whole community.
Your Personal Health Pledge
What two habits will YOU commit to starting today?
"I pledge to wash my hands for 20 seconds before eating dinner every single day."
A promise to yourself
Your Health Script Your Health, Your Hands!
Teacher Instructional Script
00:00 - 05:00
Warm-Up
"Good morning everyone! Let's kick off our health lesson today with a quick warm-up. On your desks, you'll see a few questions. I'd like you to take about five minutes to silently read and answer them. Think about your own daily habits. There are no right or wrong answers here, just your honest reflections."
Allow students to complete the warm-up. Circulate to check for engagement. After 4 minutes, bring the class back together.
"Alright, let's hear from a couple of you. Can anyone share one habit they already practice to stay healthy, or one question they had after reading the warm-up?"
Call on 2-3 students. Connect their answers to the upcoming discussion on hygiene.
05:00 - 15:00
Introduction
SLIDES 1-3
"Today, we're diving into a topic that affects every single one of us: Your Health, Your Hands! When you hear that, what comes to mind? What does it mean to be healthy? How do you think our daily habits play a role?"
[Slide 1]
Briefly acknowledge responses. Transition to the mission.
"Being healthy is about more than just not being sick. It's about feeling good and having energy. A huge part of that is personal hygiene."
[Slide 2]
Explain the three objectives: Identify, Explain, Commit.
[Slide 3]
"Good hygiene helps prevent illness, boosts your confidence, and—this is key—it protects your community . When you don't spread germs, you help everyone else stay healthy too."
15:00 - 30:00
Germ Busters
SLIDES 4-7
[Slide 4]
"Let's talk about those sneaky things: germs! What are they? Where do they hide? Turn and talk to a partner for 30 seconds."
Facilitate a short discussion. Explain that germs are microscopic bacteria/viruses.
[Slide 5]
"Our most powerful tool is handwashing! When are the most important times to wash? And how do we do it right?"
Demonstrate the 20-second scrub. Emphasize "Happy Birthday" x 2.
[Slide 6 & 7]
Discuss other habits: covering coughs (vampire sneeze!), showering, not sharing drinks. Recaps the 'Superhero' mindset of public health.
30:00 - 45:00
Pledge / Close
SLIDE 8
"Now it's time to make it personal. Think about your daily routine. What are two health habits you want to improve? This is your personal health pledge."
Circulate while students write their pledges in their notebooks first.
Health Habits Warm Up Health Habits Check-In
Warm-Up Activity
Name:
Date:
Take a few minutes to silently answer the following questions. There are no right or wrong answers—this is a chance to reflect on your own habits and curiosities!
1 What are 3 things you do every day (or almost every day) to stay clean and healthy?
A.
B.
C.
2 What is one question you have about germs or staying healthy?
3 Imagine you have a superpower to stop the spread of one type of germ. Which germ would you choose and why?
I would stop:
Because:
Germ Busters Discussion Guide Germ Busters!
Classroom Discussion Guide
1 The Basics
What are Germs?
Teacher Prompt
"What exactly are germs? Where do they hide? And perhaps most importantly, how do they spread from one person to another?"
Key Points to Emphasize
Germs are tiny living organisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi) that can cause illness.
They are microscopic (invisible without a microscope).
Found everywhere: surfaces, air, water, and our bodies.
2 The Defense
Superpower of Handwashing
Teacher Prompt
"So, if germs are everywhere, how do we fight back? When are the most important times to wash our hands?"
Key Points to Emphasize
When: After bathroom, before/after eating, after coughing/sneezing, after touching animals.Method: Soap + Water + 20 Seconds of scrubbing. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
3 The Community
Hygiene Habits
Teacher Prompt
"Beyond handwashing, what other hygiene habits help us stop germs from spreading?"
Action Items
Respiratory Etiquette: Cover coughs/sneezes with an elbow or tissue.
Cleanliness: Showering regularly and brushing teeth twice a day.
Avoid Sharing: Do not share personal items like drinks, food, or lip balm.
My Health Pledge Exit Ticket My Health Pledge
Lesson Exit Ticket • Commitment to Health
Student Name
Date
01. What is one new thing you learned about germs or staying healthy today?
02. The Personal Health Pledge
"I, , pledge to make these two health habits part of my daily routine starting today:"
1
2
03. How do you think keeping this pledge will benefit you and the people around you?
Commitment Confirmed
