Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) · 6th Year

Active learning ideas

Keeping Clean: Personal Hygiene

Today, we're going to become detectives and uncover the secrets to staying healthy and feeling great. We'll investigate the invisible world of germs and learn the best ways to look after our amazing bodies as we grow.

• NCCA Curriculum Specifications
• NCCA SPHE: Myself - Taking care of my body

• 20–40 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• Stations Rotation
• 20 min · Pairs

Glitter Germs Handwashing Experiment

Pupils put a small amount of glitter and oil on their hands to represent germs. They then try to wash it off with just water, then with soap and water, observing the difference in effectiveness.

Explain the connection between regular handwashing and preventing illness.

Facilitation Tip

Use a dark-coloured basin or tub to make the remaining glitter easier to see.

What to look for

Observe pupils during the 'Glitter Germs' activity to assess their understanding of correct handwashing technique and their ability to explain why soap is necessary.

• Remember
• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills

Activity 02

• Stations Rotation
• 30 min · Individual

My Weekly Hygiene Routine Chart

Pupils design and create a personal weekly chart to track their hygiene habits, such as brushing teeth, showering, and changing socks. They can make it colourful and creative to encourage ownership.

Analyse the importance of a consistent dental hygiene routine.

Facilitation Tip

Provide templates for pupils who may need more structure, but encourage creativity for all.

What to look for

Pupils create a 'Hygiene Hero' comic strip or poster that teaches a younger child about one key aspect of personal hygiene, such as dental care or handwashing.

• Remember
• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills

Activity 03

• Stations Rotation
• 40 min · Small Groups

The Puberty 'Essentials' Kit

In small, same-gender groups if appropriate, pupils brainstorm and design a poster or a concept for a personal hygiene 'essentials kit' for someone their age. This includes items like deodorant, face wash, and sanitary products, explaining the purpose of each.

Identify key personal hygiene practices that become more important during puberty.

Facilitation Tip

Use an anonymous question box beforehand to address specific queries or concerns within the lesson.

What to look for

Pupils use a personal checklist to reflect on their own hygiene habits for a week and write a short reflection on one thing they could improve.

• Remember
• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills

Activity 04

• Stations Rotation
• 25 min · Whole Class

Plaque Attack! Disclosing Tablets

After getting parental permission, pupils use disclosing tablets to reveal plaque on their teeth. They then brush their teeth thoroughly and check again to see the effectiveness of their brushing technique.

Explain the connection between regular handwashing and preventing illness.

Facilitation Tip

Ensure you have checked for any allergies and have mirrors available for pupils to see their teeth clearly.

What to look for

Observe pupils during the 'Glitter Germs' activity to assess their understanding of correct handwashing technique and their ability to explain why soap is necessary.

• Remember
• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills

A few notes on teaching this unit

Begin with a whole-class discussion about times they have been sick to make the topic relatable. Use visual aids and hands-on activities, like the glitter experiment, to make abstract concepts like germs tangible and memorable. When approaching the topic of puberty, establish clear ground rules for respectful discussion and consider using an anonymous question box to allow pupils to ask questions without feeling embarrassed.

By the end of our investigation, you will be an expert in personal hygiene, able to explain why it's so important and confidently manage your own daily routine for keeping clean and healthy.

---

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• You only need to wash your hands if they look dirty.

  The most harmful germs, like viruses and bacteria, are invisible. You can pick them up from touching surfaces like door handles or desks and then get sick if you touch your face, so you need to wash your hands regularly, especially before eating and after using the toilet.

• Deodorant stops you from sweating.

  Deodorant is designed to control the smell caused by bacteria that feed on sweat, it does not stop you from sweating. A product called an antiperspirant is what reduces the amount of sweat.

• Brushing your teeth really hard gets them cleaner.

  Brushing too hard can damage your gums and the enamel on your teeth. It is the technique, using gentle circles for two minutes, that effectively removes plaque, not the force you use.

---

Methods used in this brief

• Stations Rotation