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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