Micro-organisms
Crawling through a giant nose in the Secret Life of Snot may have inspired you to make your own 'sneeze gun' and use it to investiagte how far a sneeze goes, a sure way to engage children in an investigation to see how viruses spread. In Plaque Attack! bacteria are given the brush off. You can explore the effect of microbes on teeth with these comic strips, powerpoints and investigations looking at keeping teeth healthy. Or why not a class project to develop a toothpaste which counteracts the effect of sugary drinks on our teeth.
Primary: Body Defences (Immunity)
Use this powerpoint to highlight the three lines of the defence the body has against infection. Includes two excellent animations which show a white blood cells as they engulf and digest bacteria and produce antibodies. Includes detailed notes for teachers.
Cough Syrup
Children work as scientists to investigate the best growing conditions for yeast and on developing a new cough syrup.
There are five hours of scientific enquiry which may be used as a series of practical work or as stand-alone lessons.
Medicines from Microbes
An upper Key Stage Two resource where children are asked to find the best conditions for mould growth to help a biotechnology company produce a new medicine.
This resource gives children an opportunity to record results over a longer time period and present conclusions for a purpose. It includes teacher notes, lesson plans and printable sheets for practical activities and for recording results.
Bugs
A video useful for teaching micro-organisms in Key Stage Two.
The clip shows:
microbes under the microscope moving around.
how far bacteria can travel when a boy forgets to wash his hands.
the role of bacteria in making yoghurt.
a clip showing dental bacteria which can be used when teaching about teeth and eating.
Each clip could be used seperately to highlight different areas of the topic or to give an overview of all these areas.
Primary: Respiratory Hygiene
A great way of learning about cold viruses and how they are spread by making a 'sneeze gun' to simulate how far a sneeze travels. Measure how far and how wide the sneeze travels and record results on the observation sheets. Learn about how the spread of the virus may be prevented.
Includes a short video clip of the 'sneeze' gun in action and observation sheets.
Balloon Bugs
A hands on activity using balloons to make bacteria which cause common illnesses.
Includes a presentation showing images of different bacteria which can be used to enrich the knowledge base of Key Stage Two learners.
The balloons could add to a colourful and informative display on micro-organisms.
Marvellous Microbes III: Dental Plaque
A resource to support the teaching of teeth and eating at Key Stage Two it includes:
A colourful comic strip to help illlustrate to children the importance of cleaning teeth to prevent decay.
A practical activity using eggs and vinegar to show how fluorine toothpaste strengthens teeth and prevents plaque acid attack.
Healthy Drinks and Tasty Toothpaste
A ready to go classroom resource for lower Key Stage Two. This includes powerpoints to use in lessons, teachers notes and printable sheets to use in planning and recording investiagtions.
Children are given a context for investigating the effect of sugar in different drinks. They test different kinds of toothpaste for effectiveness. Then they are asked to make their own toothpaste.
Lots of science enquiry skills but also could have links to D & T designing and making a product and to Literacy in advertising it.
The Secret Life of Snot
The British Society of Immunology website which has detailed information about snot including: a recipe, colour chart and guide to sneezing.