Lesson 1.4: Communicable Diseases

Overview

This lesson focuses on learning about communicable diseases including how transmission occurs, common examples and symptoms, and how to help keep yourself healthy.

Learning Targets

  • LO18: Explain what an infectious disease is.
  • LO19: Compare the different methods of transmitting an infectious disease.
  • LO20: Identify actions you can take to keep from getting an infectious disease.
  • LO21: Identify common symptoms of infectious disease.
  • LO22: Explain what personal protective equipment is and how it can help reduce disease transmission.
  • LO23: Demonstrate assertive communication to reduce health risk.

Preparation

For the Warm-Up Activity: Write the Journal Question on the board or identify (and copy as needed) the worksheets you plan to use:

For the Content Focus: Make copies of the Lesson 1.4 Note-Taking Guide. Project the Lesson 1.4 PowerPoint slides.

For the Lesson Focus: Copy the Lesson 1.4 Skill-Building Challenge Worksheet: Creating a Behavior Contract.. Prepare the projector or smart screen to project a copy of the Tips for Being Assertive portion of the worksheet.

Warm-Up Activity

Select a warm-up activity to help get your class focused and on task.

  • Journal Question: How does regular hand washing protect you and others against the spread of some infectious diseases? How might you be exposed to a disease if someone else doesn’t wash their hands regularly?
    • Option: Write or project the question and have students respond in their journal or on their “bell ringer” sheet as they enter class.
    • Option: Have students discuss the question with a partner or in a small group.
  • Vocabulary Review: Have students work individually, in pairs, or in small groups to complete the Lesson 1.4 Vocabulary Review Worksheet
  • Quiz: Have students complete the Lesson 1.4 Quiz to assess their prior knowledge.
    • Option: Collect the quiz and use it alongside a posttest to demonstrate student learning.
    • Option: Have students share their answers with a partner and then go over the answers together as a class.

Lesson Content

Review the content from the textbook lesson.

Lesson Focus: Communicating Well to Keep Yourself and Others Healthy

  1. Give each student a copy of the Lesson 1.4 Skill-Building Challenge Worksheet: Communicating Well to Keep Yourself and Others Healthy.
  2. Have students work individually to complete the task on the worksheet.
  3. Once students have created their script that demonstrates how they used assertive communication to express themselves, ask for volunteers to share their script with the rest of the class.
  4. Option: Project the Tips for Being Assertive portion of the worksheet on the whiteboard or smart screen. After the volunteer shares their script, identify, as a class, the tips for being assertive that were included in the volunteer’s script.

Challenge Activity

Have students needing an additional challenge work on the following Thinking Critically task.

Have you ever used hand sanitizer? How do hand sanitizers work? Conduct research on the effectiveness of hand sanitizers compared to proper hand washing. Consider your results as well as the convenience and access of both methods. Write a brief set of recommendations for each method that people should follow under different circumstances.

Reflection and Summary

Review the critical content from today’s lesson. Review the learning targets and ask students to answer each question posed.

Can you...

  • Explain what an infectious disease is?

    An infectious disease is a contagious disease or communicable disease. It can spread between people.

  • Compare the different methods of transmitting an infectious disease?

    Direct Contact: when you come in direct contact with an infectious disease (kissing, sharing straws, exchanging bodily fluids, etc.)

    Indirect Contact: when you touch an object or surface where a pathogen may be found (cell phone, computer, doorknob, etc.)

    Airborne transmission: when a pathogen is found in small droplets of water in the airwhen a pathogen is found in small droplets of water in the air

    Host transmission: coming in contact with an infected animal, being bitten by an insect carrying a pathogen like a mosquito, or eating infected foods

  • Identify actions you can take to keep from getting an infectious disease?

    Wash your hands with soap and water; cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when sneezing; get vaccinated; stay home if you are sick; prepare food safely, abstain from sexual activity; don’t share personal items like spoons or cups; keep your environment clean, especially surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom; wash clothing, towels, and bedding regularly; use bug repellent when spending time outdoors; wear appropriate protective equipment during outbreaks of airborne pathogens.

  • Identify common symptoms of infectious disease?

    Runny nose, coughing, sneezing, an upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, headache, and fever

  • Explain what personal protective equipment is and how it can help reduce disease transmission?

    Personal protective equipment like masks and gloves are used to decrease the risk of transmission.

  • Demonstrate assertive communication to reduce health risk?

    Assertive communication can be used to reduce health risks by being able to state what you need regarding your own health care without being mean, disrespectful, or aggressive. To be assertive you should use I messages, practice saying no, practicing what you want to say, being aware of your body language, and checking your emotions.

Assessment

Complete one or more of the following assessment tasks for this lesson.

Take It Home

Use sticky notes to create reminders about the different ways to prevent infectious disease. Post the sticky notes around your home in areas where infectious disease are most likely to spread, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and handrails.