Hygiene Heroes Lesson Plan Hygiene Heroes
Everyday Super Skills: Session 1
Duration 30 MIN
Mission Objective
Enable students to understand and practice key personal hygiene habits—especially proper handwashing—through reading, discussion, hands-on roleplay, a fun game, worksheet practice, and a quick quiz.
Why It Matters
Good hygiene reduces illness, builds confidence, and fosters independence—crucial life skills for middle school special education students.
Teacher Preparation
Print Hygiene Habits Worksheets
Print Personal Hygiene Quizzes
Set up sink area (soap, towels, mirror)
Prepare/Print Charades cards
Check markers/whiteboard
Review Handwashing Roleplay steps
Lesson Timeline
2m
Hook & Objectives
Greet students and introduce focus. Ask: "What are some things you do every day to stay clean?" Record on board.
5m
Stay Fresh Reading
Distribute reading. Read aloud or silently. Pause to clarify terms like "hygiene" or "germs."
5m
Guided Discussion
Why is hygiene important? How does it keep us healthy? Discuss health and confidence links.
7m
Suds Master Roleplay
Demonstrate steps at the sink. Pair students to practice (Washer/Coach roles). Circulate and praise.
7m
Hygiene Hero Charades
Students act out hygiene actions (brushing teeth, washing face) for peers to guess. Focus on fun!
3m
Skill Practice Worksheet
Students complete the matching and fill-in-the-blank worksheet sections.
1m
Quick Check Quiz
Short quiz to assess understanding. Collect for review.
Personal Hygiene Reading Personal Hygiene
Be Your Own Hygiene Hero
Personal hygiene means taking care of your body so you stay clean, healthy, and feel good. When you practice good hygiene, you help stop germs from making you sick. You also show respect for yourself and the people around you.
Stay Healthy
Germs on your hands, face, or body can make you feel unwell. Good habits keep them away!
Feel Confident
When you’re clean, you feel fresh and ready to learn or spend time with friends.
Show Respect
Clean clothes and a neat appearance let others know you care about yourself and them.
Daily Hygiene Habits
Wash your hands Before eating and after using the bathroom.
Take a bath or shower Do this daily to keep skin and hair clean.
Brush your teeth Morning and night for a bright smile.
Wear clean clothes Stay fresh and free of odors every day.
Wash your face Morning and night to remove dirt and oils.
Trim your nails Keep hands neat and avoid dirt buildup.
How to Wash Your Hands
1
Wet hands with clean water
2
Apply soap & make bubbles
3
Scrub for 20 seconds
4
Rinse all the soap off
5
Dry with a clean towel
Pro Tip: Sing "Happy Birthday" twice while you scrub!
Handwashing Step Roleplay Activity Handwashing Roleplay
Suds Master Activity
7 Minutes
The Goal
Practice and master each handwashing step through partner roleplay and coaching.
Gear Needed
Sink with running water
Soap & Towel
Roleplay Checklist (below)
Teacher Instructions
1
Setup (1 min): Gather students near the sink. Briefly review the five steps from the reading.
2
Demo (1 min): Model each step at the sink. Narrate your actions clearly and sing "Happy Birthday" while scrubbing.
Teacher Tip
Circulate to offer coaching and praise! Say things like: "Perfect timing on that 20-second scrub!" or "Excellent job getting under your nails."
Partner Roleplay (5 Minutes)
Role 1: The Washer
Your job is to perform all 5 steps perfectly at the sink. Don't forget the bubbles!
Role 2: The Coach
Your job is to watch and check off each step. Give your partner a "thumbs up" when they finish a step correctly!
Official Roleplay Checklist
1. Wet Hands
Turn on the water and get hands wet.
2. Apply Soap
Rub hands together to make lots of sudsy bubbles.
3. Scrub for 20 Seconds
Scrub backs, between fingers, and under nails.
4. Rinse Thoroughly
Wash all the soap bubbles away with clean water.
5. Dry Hands
Use a clean towel or air dryer until hands are dry.
Wrap-Up Reflection
Ask: Which step was easiest? Which was hardest? Why is scrubbing for 20 seconds so important?
Hygiene Charades Game Hygiene Charades
Action Hero Challenge
7 MIN PLAY
How to Play
Divide the class into Team A and Team B.
A volunteer from Team A draws a card and acts it out—no talking or props allowed!
The team has 30 seconds to guess. Correct guess = 1 point.
Switch to Team B and repeat!
For All Heroes (Adaptations)
Use the picture icons on the cards for non-readers.
Allow one-word whispers if acting alone is too hard.
Extend the timer to 45 seconds if extra processing time is needed.
Scoreboard
Team A
Team B
Prep List
Cut out action cards
Grab a container/bag
Set timer for 30s
✂️ Action Cards
Washing Hands
Brushing Teeth
Taking a Shower
Washing Your Face
Trimming Nails
Putting on Clean Clothes
Combing Hair
Using Deodorant
Drying Hands
Hygiene Habits Worksheet Hygiene Habits
Name
Date
A Matching Habits
Match each hygiene habit with its description. Write the letter (A–E) on the line.
1. Washing hands
2. Brushing teeth
3. Taking a shower
4. Washing your face
5. Trimming nails
A. Removes dirt and oil from your face
B. Cleans under fingernails and between fingers
C. Keeps hair and skin fresh and clean
D. Keeps your smile healthy and bright
E. Prevents dirt buildup under your nails
B Fill in the Blanks
hand teeth clothes face nails
1. Always wash your before eating.
2. Brush your in the morning and at bedtime.
3. Wear clean every day.
4. Trim your regularly to keep them neat.
5. Wash your at night to remove dirt and oils.
C Step-by-Step
Put the numbers 1–5 in order to show how to wash your hands correctly.
Turn on the water and wet hands
Apply soap and make bubbles
Scrub for 20 seconds (backs, between fingers, under nails)
Rinse off all the soap
Dry hands with a towel or air dryer
D Short Answer
Why is it important to wash your hands before eating?
E Your Habits
Write one daily hygiene habit you do to stay clean:
Draw a simple picture of yourself doing that habit below:
Personal Hygiene Quiz Hygiene Quick Quiz
Student Name
Date
Circle the best answer for each question!
1
True or False: Washing your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds helps remove germs and keep you healthy.
True
False
2
Which of these is a good time to wash your hands?
Before eating
After playing outside
Both A and B
Never
3
How many times each day should you brush your teeth to maintain good hygiene?
Once
Twice (morning and night)
Three times
Only when they feel dirty
4
Which of the following is NOT part of the proper handwashing steps?
Apply soap and lather
Scrub under fingernails for 20 seconds
Rinse hands under clean water
Water plants
5
True or False: Wearing clean clothes every day shows respect for yourself and the people around you.
True
False
Meal Prep Masters Lesson Plan Meal Prep Masters
Everyday Super Skills: Session 2
Duration 30 MIN
Mission Objective
Enable students to recognize balanced meals, identify food groups, and prepare a simple healthy snack through reading, discussion, hands-on practice, and a sorting game.
Why It Matters
Understanding nutrition empowers students to make healthier choices, boosts energy, supports growth, and fosters independence.
Teacher Preparation
Print Meal Prep Worksheets & Quizzes
Gather ingredients (bread, PB, bananas)
Set up assembly stations & utensils
Prepare Food Group Sorting cards
Post/Project Visual Food Group Chart
Review student food allergy list
Lesson Timeline
2m
Hook & Objectives
Greet students. Ask: "What did you eat today?" Record answers and point out different food groups represented.
5m
Guided Reading
Read sections on the five food groups and the balanced plate. Clarify terms like "carbohydrates" and "protein."
5m
Class Discussion
How do proteins help our bodies? Use the Visual Food Group Chart to discuss portions and examples of a balanced plate.
7m
Snack Assembly Activity
Model and guide students through assembling a peanut butter & banana sandwich. Reinforce hygiene and safety.
7m
Food Group Sorting Game
Team race to sort food picture cards into correct group columns (Fruits, Veggies, Grains, Protein, Dairy).
3m
Worksheet Practice
Students complete matching and labeling exercises on the Meal Prep Worksheet. Provide support as needed.
1m
Quick Meal Quiz
Short quiz on food groups and balanced plates. Collect for assessment.
Healthy Meal Prep Reading Healthy Meal Prep
Fuel Your Body Right
Eating a balanced meal gives your body the energy and nutrients it needs to grow, learn, and stay healthy. When you include foods from each of the five food groups, you help your body work its best.
Power Up
Energy: Grains and fruits give you fuel to play and learn.
Growth: Proteins help build and fix muscles, skin, and bones.
Stay Strong
Healthy Digestion: Fiber from veggies keeps your tummy happy.
Strong Bones: Dairy supply calcium and Vitamin D.
The Five Food Groups
1. Fruits
Examples: Apples, bananas, berries. Why: Packed with vitamins and natural energy.
2. Vegetables
Examples: Carrots, broccoli, peppers. Why: Fiber helps fight germs and stay strong.
3. Grains
Examples: Bread, rice, pasta, oats. Why: Main source of energy for your body.
4. Protein Foods
Examples: Chicken, eggs, beans, peanut butter. Why: Build and repair muscles and skin.
5. Dairy
Examples: Milk, cheese, yogurt. Why: Calcium for strong bones and teeth.
Building a Balanced Plate
Half Plate Fruits &
1/4 Grains
1/4 Protein
Dairy
Side of Dairy
Snack Master Tips
Plan ahead for healthy snacks
Eat a "rainbow" of colors
Pair fruit with protein (cheese/nuts)
Choose whole grains when you can
Healthy Snack Assembly Activity Healthy Snack Assembly
Junior Chef Mission
7 Minutes
The Goal
Follow sequential directions to prepare a balanced snack while practicing hygiene and fine motor skills.
Ingredients & Gear
Whole-grain bread (2 slices)
Peanut/Sunflower butter
1 pre-sliced banana
Plastic spreader & Plate
Preparation Steps
1
Clean Start
Wash hands thoroughly or use sanitizer. Put on gloves if using them.
2
Workspace
Lay out your plate and place two slices of bread side by side.
3
Spread
Scoop peanut butter and spread an even layer on one slice of bread.
4
Add Fruit
Place your banana slices evenly over the peanut butter.
5
Assemble
Place the second slice of bread on top. Press down gently.
Pro Chef Tips
Wipe your spreader between steps.
Pair students for peer support if needed.
Always double-check the allergy list!
Reflection: Which step was your favorite? How many food groups did we use in this snack?
1. Clean
3. Spread
4. Fruit
5. Close
Food Group Sorting Game Food Group Sorting
Nutrition Race
10 MIN PLAY
How to Play
Divide the class into two teams. Set up 5 mats labeled: Fruits, Veggies, Grains, Protein, and Dairy.
A volunteer draws a food card and shows their team.
The team decides which food group it belongs to and places it on the matching mat.
Correct guess = 1 point. Switch teams and repeat!
Pro Tips
Review any misplaced cards at the end and discuss why they belong elsewhere.
Use the icons on the cards for students who are still learning to read.
Ask: "How does this food help our bodies?" for bonus discussion.
Scoreboard
Team A
Team B
Prep List
Cut out picture cards
Label 5 sorting mats
10-minute timer
✂️ Food Picture Cards
Apple (Fruit)
Carrot (Veggie)
Bread (Grain)
Chicken (Protein)
Milk (Dairy)
Banana (Fruit)
Spinach (Veggie)
Rice (Grain)
Eggs (Protein)
Yogurt (Dairy)
Berries (Fruit)
Broccoli (Veggie)
Oats (Grain)
Beans (Protein)
Cheese (Dairy)
Meal Prep Worksheet Meal Prep Worksheet
Name
Date
A Food Group Matching
Match each food in Column A with its correct food group in Column B.
1. Apple
2. Carrot
3. Bread
4. Chicken
5. Milk
A. Fruits
B. Vegetables
C. Grains
D. Protein
E. Dairy
B Benefits of Food
Fruits Vegetables Grains Protein Dairy
1. give you energy to play and learn.
2. help build and repair muscles and tissues.
3. supply calcium and vitamin D for strong bones.
4. provide fiber and nutrients to keep digestion healthy.
5. are breads, rice, and pasta that fuel your body.
C Label the Plate
Draw lines to divide this plate into sections: Half Fruits & Veggies, One Quarter Grains, and One Quarter Protein. Then label each section.
Don't forget to draw a side of dairy outside the plate!
D Chef's Special
Sketch and label one balanced meal that includes all five food groups:
E Think Big
Why is it important to eat foods from each of the five food groups every day?
Healthy Meal Quiz Healthy Meal Quiz
Student Name
Date
Circle the best answer for each question!
1
True or False: A balanced meal should include foods from all five food groups.
True
False
2
Which of these is a protein food?
Apple
Chicken
Bread
Carrot
3
Which food group gives us calcium and vitamin D for strong bones?
Fruits
Vegetables
Grains
Dairy
4
How should you divide your plate for a balanced meal?
Half grains, quarter fruits & vegetables, quarter protein
Half fruits & vegetables, quarter grains, quarter protein
Half protein, quarter vegetables, quarter grains
All five food groups equally (20% each)
5
True or False: Eating only grains and fruits is a balanced meal.
True
False
