Causes of Common Illnesses: How Hygiene and Water Safety Matter

Lesson Plan: Causes of Common Illnesses (e.g., Dysentery or Diarrhea)

Subject: Social Studies

Class: Primary 3 (Basic 3)

Term: Second Term

Week: 9

Age: 8–9 years

Topic: Causes of Common Illnesses (e.g., Dysentery or Diarrhea)

Sub-Topic: Factors Leading to Illnesses

Duration: 40 Minutes

Behavioural Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Identify factors that contribute to common illnesses like dysentery and diarrhea.
2. Explain how poor hygiene and contaminated water lead to illnesses.
3. Suggest preventive measures to avoid such illnesses.

Keywords

• Dysentery
• Diarrhea
• Contaminated water
• Hygiene
• Germs
• Prevention

Set Induction

The teacher shows a picture of a person drinking contaminated water or eating with dirty hands. The teacher asks:

• “What do you think will happen if someone drinks dirty water?”
• “Why is it important to wash our hands before eating?”

Entry Behaviour

Pupils are familiar with basic hygiene practices and some common illnesses. They have previously learned about symptoms of illnesses like diarrhea and fever.

Learning Resources and Materials

• Pictures of contaminated water sources, dirty hands, and infected food.
• Chart paper for group work.
• A model or simple demonstration of the effect of germs in water (using colored water or similar experiments).
• Basic Science textbooks and research materials.

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge

The teacher revisits previous lessons on common illnesses and asks pupils to recall any previous experiences of illness in their families or communities. This helps link the current lesson on causes to personal experiences.

Embedded Core Skills

• Problem-solving
• Critical thinking
• Communication
• Collaboration

Learning Materials

1. Lagos State Scheme of Work.
2. Basic Science textbooks.
3. Visual aids and pictures showing poor hygiene and contaminated food and water.
4. Simple experiment kits (colored water, cups, etc.).

Instructional Materials

• Flashcards or images of germs, dirty water, and improper hygiene practices.
• Demonstration materials for the water contamination experiment.

Content

Definition and Explanation

1. Dysentery
   • Dysentery is an infection of the intestines that causes diarrhea with blood or mucus. It is often caused by bacteria or parasites that contaminate food or water.
2. Diarrhea
   • Diarrhea is when the body produces watery and frequent stools. It can be caused by consuming contaminated water, food, or poor hygiene.
3. Causes of Dysentery and Diarrhea
   • Poor Hygiene: If people do not wash their hands after using the toilet, they may spread harmful germs.
   • Contaminated Water: Drinking water that has been contaminated by germs (from dirty rivers, ponds, or unclean pipes) can lead to illnesses like dysentery and diarrhea.
   • Unclean Food: Eating food that has been exposed to germs (due to improper handling, storage, or washing) can also cause illness.
4. Preventive Measures
   • Wash your hands regularly with soap and clean water.
   • Drink clean, boiled or filtered water.
   • Eat food that is properly prepared and stored.
   • Avoid using public toilets without proper sanitation.

Evaluation

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions

1. _______ is a common illness that causes watery stools and can be caused by contaminated water.
   • a) Dysentery
   • b) Diarrhea
   • c) Malaria
   • d) Cold
     (Answer: b)
2. Eating _______ food can lead to illnesses like dysentery.
   • a) Clean
   • b) Spoiled
   • c) Fresh
   • d) Raw
     (Answer: b)
3. _______ is an infection of the intestines that causes bloody or mucous stools.
   • a) Diarrhea
   • b) Dysentery
   • c) Flu
   • d) Headache
     (Answer: b)
4. Drinking contaminated _______ can lead to diarrhea and dysentery.
   • a) Milk
   • b) Juice
   • c) Water
   • d) Coffee
     (Answer: c)
5. Washing your _______ before eating is one way to prevent illness.
   • a) Clothes
   • b) Hands
   • c) Shoes
   • d) Face
     (Answer: b)
6. Dysentery is often caused by _______ that contaminate water or food.
   • a) Bacteria
   • b) Vitamins
   • c) Germs
   • d) Water
     (Answer: a)
7. To prevent diarrhea, drink _______ water.
   • a) Dirty
   • b) Clean
   • c) Warm
   • d) Hot
     (Answer: b)
8. The best way to avoid foodborne illnesses is to eat food that has been _______ properly.
   • a) Stored
   • b) Spoiled
   • c) Reheated
   • d) Thrown away
     (Answer: a)
9. To prevent dysentery, always wash your _______ after using the toilet.
   • a) Face
   • b) Hands
   • c) Feet
   • d) Clothes
     (Answer: b)
10. _______ is a way to keep food safe from germs.
    • a) Spoiling
    • b) Refrigerating
    • c) Leaving it out
    • d) Ignoring it
      (Answer: b)

Class Activity Discussion

FAQs with Answers

1. What is dysentery?
   Dysentery is an intestinal infection that causes diarrhea with blood or mucus. It is often caused by contaminated water or food.
2. What causes diarrhea?
   Diarrhea can be caused by drinking contaminated water, eating unclean food, or poor hygiene.
3. How does poor hygiene cause illness?
   Poor hygiene, like not washing hands after using the toilet, can spread harmful germs that cause illnesses like dysentery and diarrhea.
4. What can we do to prevent diarrhea?
   Wash your hands with soap and clean water, drink clean water, and eat properly prepared food.
5. What should you do if you have diarrhea?
   Drink plenty of fluids, rest, and seek medical help if the symptoms are severe.
6. How can contaminated water lead to illness?
   Contaminated water may contain harmful germs that cause stomach problems, diarrhea, or dysentery.
7. Why is it important to wash our hands?
   Washing hands removes germs that can cause diseases, including diarrhea and dysentery.
8. How can food become contaminated?
   Food can become contaminated by germs if it is not properly cooked, stored, or handled.
9. What is the best way to prevent drinking contaminated water?
   Boil or filter water before drinking it to kill harmful germs.
10. What should you do if you think your food or water is contaminated?
    Do not consume it, and seek clean, safe food and water.

Presentation

1. Step 1: The teacher revises the previous topic on “Symptoms of Common Illnesses.”
2. Step 2: The teacher introduces the topic “Causes of Common Illnesses” by showing pictures of contaminated water and unclean hands.
3. Step 3: The teacher conducts a simple experiment to show how water can get contaminated and how germs spread, using colored water and a clean container.

Teacher’s Activities

• Show visual aids and explain how poor hygiene and contaminated water contribute to illnesses like dysentery and diarrhea.
• Lead the experiment to demonstrate contamination and its effects.
• Facilitate group discussions on preventive measures.

Learners’ Activities

• Observe the experiment and discuss how water can become contaminated.
• Participate in the group discussion and share personal experiences or knowledge of hygiene and water safety.
• Ask questions and share ways they can avoid illness.

Evaluation Questions

1. What are some common causes of dysentery?
2. How can drinking contaminated water affect your health?
3. Why is it important to wash your hands before eating?
4. What should you do if you have diarrhea?
5. How does poor hygiene spread illness?
6. What are the symptoms of dysentery?
7. How can we avoid eating contaminated food?
8. What are the benefits of drinking clean water?
9. What should you do if you notice dirty water around you?
10. How can we educate others about hygiene and illness prevention?

Conclusion

The teacher walks around to monitor pupils’ understanding, providing feedback and emphasizing the importance of hygiene and water safety. Pupils are reminded to practice good hygiene and avoid drinking contaminated water.

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