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KS2: Respiratory Hygiene

In this lesson plan, students learn how easily harmful microbes can be spread through coughs and sneezes and recreate a giant sneeze, embedding good respiratory hygiene behaviours.

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Learning objectives

All students will:

  • Understand that infection can spread through coughs and sneezes
  • Understand that covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough, or sneeze helps prevent the spread of infection
  • Understand that coughing and sneezing in your hand can still spread infection

Most students will:

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Background Information

Respiratory tract infections (RTI) are infections that happen in the lungs, chest, sinuses, nose and throat, for example, coughs and colds, the flu and pneumonia. RTIs can spread easily from person-to person through the air, through person-to person contact (touching hands, hugging, kissing) or by touching contaminated surfaces.

Coughing and sneezing is a way in which our body tries to get rid of any harmful microbes and particles we might inhale from getting deeper into our respiratory tract. It is important that good respiratory hygiene is taught from a young age, and that key messages are built on over time. This is especially important in the approach to the winter cold/flu season each year, or when there is an outbreak of an infectious disease.

This lesson plan supports students to understand why respiratory hygiene matters and what good practice looks like. They do this through creating a giant sneeze, and identifying how different barriers can prevent harmful microbes from spreading.

Activities

Main activity:
  • Super Sneezes
Main Activity video
Extension activities:
  • Super Slimy Snot
  • Poster
  • Respiratory Hygiene Quiz
  • Fill in the Blanks

Curriculum links

PHSE/RHSE:

  • Health and prevention

Science:

  • Working scientifically
  • Living things and their habitats
  • Animals, including humans

English:

  • Reading and comprehension
  • Spoken language

Mathematics

  • Comparing measurements

Supporting Materials

Teacher sheets
KS2 Respiratory Hygiene Teacher Guidance
Student worksheets
SW1 Super Sneezes Recording Sheet
SW2 Respiratory Hygiene Quiz
SW3 Respiratory Hygiene Fill in the Blanks Worksheet
Student handouts
SH1 Super Slimy Snot Activity