Spread of Infection
Grade 4 Science Related Reading/Life Science
Spread of Infection
Pre- Reading Activity
Can you circle 9 things that the students in this cooking class should not be doing and why?
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Life Science
Name:______________________
Class:_______________________
Date:_______________________
Grade 4 Science Related Reading/Life Science
Reading Activity
How to avoid spreading harmful microorganisms
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What are microorganisms?
Microorganisms are very tiny living things. They are so small that you need a microscope to see them.
Microorganisms are all around us, in the air, in our bodies and in water. Some microorganisms are harmful to us, but others are helpful to us.
There are three types of microorganism:
viruses
bacteria
fungi
Harmful microorganisms
Microorganisms that cause diseases are often called germs.
Some diseases, like chickenpox, cold, cough, are caused by viruses. Diseases caused by viruses usually spread easily from one person to another. Washing your hands is one of the best ways to stop harmful microbes from spreading and preventing us from getting sick.
Uncooked foods (especially meat) can contain bacteria. The bacteria are killed when the food is cooked properly. But if you eat food that has not been cooked properly, the bacteria may survive and make you feel very ill.
Bacteria left in your mouth by not brushing your teeth properly can cause a tooth infection. Bacteria left in your mouth could also cause an infection in your ear.
Mould is a type of microorganism that grows on decaying food. It can make you ill if you eat it.
Grade 4 Science Related Reading/Life Science
You can avoid spreading harmful microorganisms by:
Washing your hands before eating, after preparing food and after using the
toilet. Washing your hands with hot water and soap will kill any bacteria on
them.
Covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze. By covering your mouth,
you will stop harmful microorganisms from spreading through the air to
other people.
Keeping away from other people if you have an illness that is easily spread.
By keeping away from other people, you will stop the spread of the harmful
organisms.
Avoiding food that is not fresh or has not been cooked properly. Food that
is not fresh or has not been cooked properly may contain harmful
microorganisms.
Keeping uncooked meat separate from other food in the fridge. Uncooked
meat may contain harmful bacteria that could transfer to other food.
Types of Microorganisms
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Grade 4 Science Related Reading/Life Science
Post Reading Activity
Activity 1Copy the Keywords from the text above 3 times, they are in bold.
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Key words12345678910
Grade 4 Science Related Reading/Life Science
Activity 2
Answer the following questions based on the reading passage. Use the text above to help you:
1. Why is it important to wash hands before eating? ___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. Why do we store food in a fridge?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. How could we prevent the spread of the harmful bacteria?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Activity 3:
Draw 3 different types of microorganisms and write their names:
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Grade 4 Science Related Reading/Life Science
Activity 4 Choose the best answer:
1. Most microorganisms cannot be seen without a ...a) Telescope
b) Periscope
c) Microscope
2. Which of these is NOT true about microorganisms?a) They are all harmful
b) They feed and grow
c) They reproduce
3. Why should cooked and uncooked foods be stored separately?a) Because bacteria only like cooked food
b) Because bacteria only like uncooked food
c) To stop bacteria spreading from one to the other
4. Which of these microorganisms is harmful?a) Yeast
b) Bacteria in yoghurt
c) Fruit mould
5. Bacteria and viruses are both types of microorganisms. Which is smaller?
a) Bacteria
b) Viruses
c) They are both the same size
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Grade 4 Science Related Reading/Life Science
Activity 5Children made a poster about things that can prevent disease.
Complete the poster below by writing the TWO correct phrases from the list.
Washing hands
Sneezing into your handkerchief
Not smoking
Eating less sugar
Taking exercise
One has been done for you.
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