Symptoms of Common Illnesses: How to Identify Fever, Cough, and Diarrhea
Lesson Plan: Symptoms of Common Illnesses in the Community
Subject: Social Studies
Class: Primary 3 (Basic 3)
Term: Second Term
Week: 8
Age: 8–9 years
Topic: Symptoms of Common Illnesses in the Community
Sub-Topic: Identifying Symptoms of Common Illnesses
Duration: 40 Minutes
Behavioural Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
- Identify common symptoms of illnesses such as fever, cough, and diarrhea.
- Discuss how these symptoms affect the body.
- Suggest what to do when someone shows these symptoms.
Keywords
- Fever
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Symptoms
- Body
- Treatment
Set Induction
The teacher shows a series of pictures or flashcards depicting people with symptoms like fever, cough, and diarrhea. The teacher asks:
- “Can anyone guess what illness this person might have?”
- “What do you think is happening to their body when they feel this way?”
Entry Behaviour
Pupils have already learned about common illnesses in the community and have some knowledge of what it feels like to be sick. This knowledge will be used to help identify and discuss symptoms.
Learning Resources and Materials
- Flashcards of people with various symptoms (fever, cough, diarrhea).
- Role-play props (doctor kits, stethoscopes, thermometers).
- Chart paper for group discussion.
Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge
The teacher invites pupils to share any experiences they or their family members have had with illnesses. They discuss how they knew something was wrong and what symptoms they experienced.
Embedded Core Skills
- Communication and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Critical thinking
- Empathy
Learning Materials
- Lagos State Scheme of Work.
- Basic Science textbooks.
- Flashcards with images of fever, cough, and diarrhea.
- Role-play props (doctor kits, thermometers, etc.).
Instructional Materials
- Pictures of people with symptoms (fever, cough, diarrhea).
- Role-playing props like stethoscopes, thermometers, etc.
- Research materials for group activity (if applicable).
Content
Definition and Explanation
- Symptoms of Common Illnesses
- Fever: A high body temperature caused by infections or other health problems. It is one of the body’s defense mechanisms. Common symptoms include sweating, shivering, headache, and body aches.
- Cough: A sudden, forceful burst of air from the lungs, often caused by an irritation in the throat. It can be dry or with phlegm and can result from a cold, flu, or other respiratory infections.
- Diarrhea: Frequent, loose, and watery stools caused by infections, food poisoning, or other gastrointestinal problems. It can lead to dehydration and weakness.
- How These Symptoms Affect the Body
- Fever: The body’s temperature increases to fight infection. While it helps fight illness, it can also cause discomfort like sweating, chills, or headache.
- Cough: The body clears irritants or mucus from the airways. Frequent coughing can cause sore throats or chest pain.
- Diarrhea: Causes frequent, watery stools that may lead to dehydration, which makes the body feel weak or tired.
- What to Do When Symptoms Appear
- Fever: Drink plenty of fluids, rest, and use cool compresses. Seek medical attention if the fever persists.
- Cough: Drink warm fluids and avoid irritants like smoke. Seek medical help if it persists.
- Diarrhea: Drink water to stay hydrated, avoid solid foods until recovery, and consult a doctor if symptoms worsen.
Evaluation
Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
- _______ is when the body temperature becomes unusually high due to infection or other health problems.
- a) Cough
- b) Fever
- c) Diarrhea
- d) Cold
(Answer: b)
- A _______ is caused by an irritation in the throat and can be dry or wet.
- a) Fever
- b) Cough
- c) Diarrhea
- d) Headache
(Answer: b)
- _______ is when the body passes loose and watery stools frequently.
- a) Cough
- b) Fever
- c) Diarrhea
- d) Headache
(Answer: c)
- If someone has a fever, it is important to _______ plenty of fluids.
- a) Drink
- b) Eat
- c) Sleep
- d) Ignore
(Answer: a)
- A _______ cough can cause sore throat or chest pain.
- a) Long-lasting
- b) Weak
- c) Frequent
- d) Dry
(Answer: c)
- To treat diarrhea, one should drink _______ to avoid dehydration.
- a) Milk
- b) Water
- c) Soda
- d) Juice
(Answer: b)
- If a person is coughing frequently, it is best to avoid _______ like smoke.
- a) Drinking
- b) Eating
- c) Inhaling
- d) Exposing
(Answer: c)
- When you have diarrhea, you should avoid eating _______ foods.
- a) Fruits
- b) Solid
- c) Spicy
- d) Healthy
(Answer: b)
- Fever is usually a sign that the body is trying to _______ infection.
- a) Avoid
- b) Treat
- c) Spread
- d) Cause
(Answer: b)
- A person who has diarrhea should see a doctor if they feel _______.
- a) Fine
- b) Weak
- c) Hungry
- d) Full
(Answer: b)
Class Activity Discussion
FAQs with Answers
- What are the common symptoms of fever?
Fever causes a high body temperature, chills, sweating, and headache. - How do you know someone has a cough?
A cough is a sudden, forceful burst of air from the lungs, often with sound or mucus. - What causes diarrhea?
Diarrhea can be caused by infections, food poisoning, or digestive issues. - What should you do if you have a fever?
Drink fluids, rest, and cool down the body with a damp cloth. - How can you treat a cough at home?
Drink warm fluids and avoid irritants like smoke. - What happens if diarrhea goes untreated?
Untreated diarrhea can cause dehydration, making the body weak. - When should you see a doctor for a cough?
If the cough lasts for more than a week or comes with chest pain or difficulty breathing. - Can fever be dangerous?
If the fever is very high or lasts for a long time, it could be a sign of a serious infection. - How do you prevent dehydration when you have diarrhea?
Drink lots of water and oral rehydration solutions (ORS). - Can coughs spread diseases?
Yes, coughing can spread germs to others, especially if the person is infected with the flu or cold.
Presentation
- Step 1: The teacher revises the previous lesson on “Ways of Helping Someone Who Has Abused Drugs.”
- Step 2: The teacher introduces the new topic, “Symptoms of Common Illnesses in the Community,” by showing flashcards of fever, cough, and diarrhea.
- Step 3: The teacher asks pupils to role-play as doctors and patients, identifying symptoms and suggesting possible treatments.
Teacher’s Activities
- Show pictures and ask pupils to identify symptoms of common illnesses.
- Guide pupils in role-playing doctor-patient scenarios.
- Lead a discussion on what to do when someone shows symptoms like fever, cough, or diarrhea.
Learners’ Activities
- Participate in identifying symptoms from flashcards.
- Engage in role-play as doctors and patients, discussing what might be wrong and how to treat the symptoms.
- Contribute ideas on how to prevent the spread of illness.
Evaluation Questions
- What are the symptoms of fever?
- How can a cough be treated at home?
- What should you do if someone has diarrhea?
- How does fever help the body fight illness?
- When should you seek medical help for a cough?
- How can you tell if someone has diarrhea?
- What can happen if diarrhea is not treated?
- How can fever be dangerous?
- How can you prevent dehydration from diarrhea?
- What is the best way to prevent a cough from spreading?
Conclusion
The teacher walks around to check pupils’ understanding and provides feedback. Pupils are reminded to practice good hygiene, see a doctor when symptoms are serious, and take care of their health.