Another way I use glitter in my pre-k class is to first introduce the concept by reading the book "Germs are not for sharing," which reviews many common sanitary routines they're familiar with while also introducing the very abstract idea of "germs".
To help make the idea of "germs" more concrete, I put glitter into a shaker and (after explaining that glitter = germs) hold it next to my mouth, with the opening alongside the mouth.
Next, I pretend to cough and as I do, glitter comes out of my "mouth" and onto a student sitting in front of me. After the giggles and eeeeewwwwwwww's subside, we brainstorm ways to prevent the germs from going on others.
The typical response is to cover my mouth with my hand. So, I "cough" again into my hand, which covers my hand in glittery germs... and then I turn to another student and say, "Good morning" while shaking their hand... the rest of the lesson is similar to the original one posted - only difference is that we also brainstorm how to cover our mouths while coughing & sneezing without using our hands (e.g. tissue, crook of your arm, or back of the hand/wrist).
Added bonus - when kids forget to cover their mouths (they are only 3, 4 & 5 years old!), I can refer back to the catchy phrase from the book, "Hey, germs are not for sharing!"
Thank you so much for sharing your ideas! I also have the book and I will make sure to read it to my students. I love the little phrase if someone sneezes or coughs on you. It is so much more kid friendly then saying "Cover your mouth!"
Smiles,
Megan
Another way I use glitter in my pre-k class is to first introduce the concept by reading the book "Germs are not for sharing," which reviews many common sanitary routines they're familiar with while also introducing the very abstract idea of "germs".
To help make the idea of "germs" more concrete, I put glitter into a shaker and (after explaining that glitter = germs) hold it next to my mouth, with the opening alongside the mouth.
Next, I pretend to cough and as I do, glitter comes out of my "mouth" and onto a student sitting in front of me. After the giggles and eeeeewwwwwwww's subside, we brainstorm ways to prevent the germs from going on others.
The typical response is to cover my mouth with my hand. So, I "cough" again into my hand, which covers my hand in glittery germs... and then I turn to another student and say, "Good morning" while shaking their hand... the rest of the lesson is similar to the original one posted - only difference is that we also brainstorm how to cover our mouths while coughing & sneezing without using our hands (e.g. tissue, crook of your arm, or back of the hand/wrist).
Added bonus - when kids forget to cover their mouths (they are only 3, 4 & 5 years old!), I can refer back to the catchy phrase from the book, "Hey, germs are not for sharing!"
Thank you so much for sharing your ideas! I also have the book and I will make sure to read it to my students. I love the little phrase if someone sneezes or coughs on you. It is so much more kid friendly then saying "Cover your mouth!"
Smiles,
Megan