With the outbreak of COVID-19, you might be looking for an age appropriate way to discuss the spread of infectious disease with your upper elementary or middle school students. In this LOW PREP activity, students will rotate through 4 stations to explore pandemics in history, the job of an epidemiologist, communicable and non-communicable disease and more. Just print and staple the student booklet. Set up is easy. Print materials and labels. No cutting or gluing required. Students take their booklet with them as they rotate stations.
Stations include:
A. What is an Outbreak?
B. Pandemics Throughout History
C. What is Coronavirus?
D. Transmission & Prevention
Introductory Reading:
Before starting the stations, a short reading passage is included, and students are given an opportunity to ask questions. This is a great opportunity to address stigma or bias. I have included a list of website links to help educators address racism and xenophobia surrounding the coronavirus outbreak.
What is an Outbreak?
Students will learn how disease is measured, and will discover the differences between endemic, epidemic and pandemic. Students will also explore the job of an epidemiologist.
Pandemics Throughout History
Students will learn about the top 3 pandemics in history, which include the Black Death, the Spanish Flu, and the HIV/Aids pandemic. These topics are presented in an age appropriate manner.
What is Coronavirus?
Students will come to understand that coronavirus is a family of viruses. Students will learn about SARS, MERS, and COVID-19. Students will learn about the spread of disease, symptoms, and susceptibility.
Transmission & Prevention:
In this station, students learn the difference between communicable and non-communicable disease. Students will also look at infectious disease spread through examples of direct and indirect contact. Students will also look at ways to prevent the spread of disease.
Student Booklet:
The student booklet contains the introductory reading and all station questions. Students will bring their booklet with them as they rotate stations. Questions help students process the information, think deeper, and challenge assumptions. A page of wrap up reflection questions are also included.
Ways to Use this Resource:
Have students rotate through all four stations
Complete one or two stations a day
Print the station pages and the accompanying question sheet as independent work
