(PreK-2) C4

Science Curriculum Preview Committee Clarification of Learning Results

Revised 04/08/04

PreK-2

C4: Provide examples of causes of diseases.

Curriculum Organizing Questions

What are some things that can make us sick?

What are some things that can help you sometimes, but make you sick if you used them wrong?

What should you do to help yourself stay healthy?

Elaboration

Some of this is not easily shown to students. Being aware of probable student conceptions (see instructional implications) may help when attempting to convince students that the following things are true:

Specific Ideas

Some things that people take into their bodies from the environment can hurt them. Benchmarks 6E2

Some diseases are caused by germs, some are not. Benchmarks 6E3

Diseases that are caused by germs may be spread by people who have them. Washing one's hands with soap and water reduces the number of germs that can get into the body or that can be passed on to other people. Benchmarks 6E3

Different substances can damage the body and how it functions. Such substances include tobacco, alcohol, over-the-counter medicines, and illicit drugs. NSES F1d

Eating a variety of healthy foods and getting enough exercise and rest help people to stay healthy. Benchmarks 6E1

Developmental & Instructional Implications

Research shows that some young students believe that disease is "punishment" for being "bad." Elementary students may have the following ideas about germs: germs enter the body through the mouth while eating and leave the body through the mouth; every illness is caused by germs; all diseases are caused by the same kind of germ, the process of infection is automatic; any infection in the body necessarily makes it ill; and when medicine is administered healing takes place immediately. Benchmarks p. 345

Students should understand that some substances, such as prescription drugs, can be beneficial, but that any substance can be harmful if used inappropriately. NSES F1d

At this level, it will be important to be as concrete as possible with the concept of diseases, focus on experiences they know such as sneezes, coughs, and runny noses.

Examples

Back to Big Ideas Grid C Back to Standard C Back to Index

Curriculum Organizing Questions	What are some things that can make us sick? What are some things that can help you sometimes, but make you sick if you used them wrong? What should you do to help yourself stay healthy?
Elaboration	Some of this is not easily shown to students. Being aware of probable student conceptions (see instructional implications) may help when attempting to convince students that the following things are true:
Specific Ideas	Some things that people take into their bodies from the environment can hurt them. Benchmarks 6E2 Some diseases are caused by germs, some are not. Benchmarks 6E3 Diseases that are caused by germs may be spread by people who have them. Washing one's hands with soap and water reduces the number of germs that can get into the body or that can be passed on to other people. Benchmarks 6E3 Different substances can damage the body and how it functions. Such substances include tobacco, alcohol, over-the-counter medicines, and illicit drugs. NSES F1d Eating a variety of healthy foods and getting enough exercise and rest help people to stay healthy. Benchmarks 6E1
Developmental & Instructional Implications	Research shows that some young students believe that disease is "punishment" for being "bad." Elementary students may have the following ideas about germs: germs enter the body through the mouth while eating and leave the body through the mouth; every illness is caused by germs; all diseases are caused by the same kind of germ, the process of infection is automatic; any infection in the body necessarily makes it ill; and when medicine is administered healing takes place immediately. Benchmarks p. 345 Students should understand that some substances, such as prescription drugs, can be beneficial, but that any substance can be harmful if used inappropriately. NSES F1d At this level, it will be important to be as concrete as possible with the concept of diseases, focus on experiences they know such as sneezes, coughs, and runny noses.
Examples