Are you feeling sick?

How Can We Decrease the Spread of Illness in Our School?

Grades 3-5

MGenao2@schools.nyc.gov

Introduction:

Hello, My Friends! Have you ever wondered how we can keep ourselves and our friends healthy at school? In this webquest, you will become health detectives and explore ways to decrease the spread of illness in our school. Get ready to investigate, learn, and take action to create a healthier school environment!

You will be working independently, as a health detective, to help figure out why so many in our school community are getting sick and how we can decrease the spread of illness.

Task:

Your task is to research and discover effective strategies for reducing the spread of illness in our school community. You will explore various topics related to hand hygiene, environmental cleanliness, and respiratory etiquette. Then you will create a poster which will be posted around the school building illustrating these strategies for our school community to learn from and follow.

Process:

Using the PPA process we learned, you will follow the six steps to help solve the problem of sickness in our school.

The 6 Steps of the PPA

1. Define the Problem
2. Gather the Evidence
3. Identify the Causes
4. Evaluate the Existing Policy
5. Develop Solutions
6. Select the Best Solution

Day 1: Define the Problem

At our school, many of our community members have gone home or stayed home from school due to sickness. Jot down some reasons you think this is happening. Use the questions below to help you brainstorm some ideas.

● Why do you think this is happening?

● What might be the cause of this problem?

Day 1: Gather Evidence

How many of your classmates have been sick this school year and have had to go home or miss a day of school?

Let’s take a Poll:

Ask your classmates to give you a thumbs up if they were sick two or more times this school year.

Jot down the number of students who gave you a thumbs up.

Day 1: Analyze the Data

Let’s analyze the data! Write down how many students are in your class (Total number of students). Then write down the number of students who were sick two or more times this school year.

*For example: Out of 32 students, 28 were sick two or more times this school year.

Day 2 : Identify the Causes

- Read the article below which discusses how germs hide and spread in places we don’t really think much about!

Article: https://www.singlecare.com/blog/news/why-kids-get-sick-at-school/

Write down 4 or 5 sentences describing what you think is causing this problem of illnesses spreading throughout the school building making many people sick.

Day 3: Evaluate the Existing Policy

Let’s think about what the school is already doing to help reduce the spread of illness in our school.

Answer the questions below:

● What are some of the ways you think the school is trying to reduce the spread of illness in our building?

● Are students following the existing policies?         If not, why?

● Do all the bathrooms have soap, water and paper towels every time you use them?

● Are students given enough time to follow the existing policies to reduce illness in our school?

Day 4: Develop A Solution

1. Understanding Germs

   - Visit the website "KidsHealth.org" to learn about germs and how they spread. Take notes on important information about bacteria, viruses, and how illnesses are transmitted.

   - Create a list of common illnesses that can spread in schools and how they are transmitted from person to person.

2. Hand Hygiene

     - Visit the website "CDC.gov" to learn more about when and how to wash your hands properly. Take notes on key points about hand hygiene.

Day 5 : Develop A Solution

3. Respiratory Etiquette

   - Read the article "Cover Your Cough - Prevent the Spread of Germs" on the CDC website. Learn about the importance of covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

4. Clean Environment

   - Explore the website "HealthyChildren.org" to learn about the importance of keeping our environment clean to prevent the spread of illness. Take notes on tips for maintaining a clean and healthy school environment.

   - Brainstorm ideas for keeping our classrooms, lunchrooms, and playgrounds clean and germ-free.

Day 6 and Day 7 : Develop A Solution

Create a poster which will be posted around the school building using the information you learned in days 4 and 5. Illustrate strategies related to hand hygiene, environmental cleanliness, and respiratory etiquette for our school community to learn from and follow.

Poster Example:

Evaluation: Poster Rubric

Poster Project Rubric: How Can We Decrease the Spread of Illness in Our School?

Conclusion:

Congratulations, health detectives! You have completed your investigation into ways to decrease the spread of illness in our school. Now it's time to take action! Work together with your classmates and teachers to implement the strategies you've learned and create a healthier school environment for everyone. Remember, small changes can make a big difference in keeping ourselves and our friends healthy and happy. Keep up the good work!

Health Standards:

Standard 1: Personal Health and Fitness

Students will have the necessary knowledge and skills to establish and maintain physical fitness,

participate in physical activity, and maintain personal health.

Standard 2: A Safe and Healthy Environment.

Students will acquire the knowledge and ability necessary to create and maintain a safe and healthy

Environment.

Standard 3: Resource Management.

Students will understand and be able to manage their personal and community resources.