Hand Washing Lesson Plans For
Kindergarten – Sixth Grade
Provided by:
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Division of Epidemiology and Immunization
(617) 983-6800 or (888) 658-2850
Disclaimer: Used with permission from the Utah Hygiene Education Coalition and Glo Germ Company. The use of
these materials does not imply an endorsement of any product or service.
February 2000
Hand Washing Lesson Plan
Kindergarten
Objective: Understand that cleanliness is important to health.
Objective: Explain the importance of being in charge of their own bodies.
General Information:
Germs are everywhere.
Germs are so small that you cannot see them.
Germs can make you sick.
You can get rid of germs by washing your hands.
How to Wash Your Hands:
Use warm, running water.
Use liquid or pump soap whenever possible.
Rub hands together for at least 10 seconds.
Scrub underneath the fingernails.
Rinse and then dry.
When to Wash Your Hands:
After using the toilet.
Before eating or touching food.
After playing with animals.
Teaching Idea:
Use a spray bottle filled with clean water. Spray water on children's hands. Explain that the water on
their hands represents germs that come out of their mouths when they cough and sneeze. Now have
the children touch an object (i.e., table, chair, etc.). Ask them what happened to the object they
touched (it became damp). Explain that this is what happens when we sneeze into our hands and then
touch an object (the germs on our hands get on the object). Discuss what might happen if one of their
friends touches the object while it is moist (they might pick up the germs and get sick). Explain that
if you wash your hands after sneezing or coughing in them the gems will be washed away and there
will be less of a chance for people to get sick.
Miscellaneous Information:
Hand washing message needs to be reinforced several times throughout the day, especially before
lunch and after using the restroom.
Teach by example.
The activity asks each student to write his/her name on the bottom of the page pledging to wash
their hands. You may want to post one or all of the activity sheets in the classroom to serve as a
reminder of the pledge.
Please copy the activity on the reverse side of this sheet for the children to complete.
Reproduced With Permission of:
Utah Hygiene Education Coalition, 2001 S. State, S-2500, SLC, UT, 84190-2150, (801) 468-2700
Activity: Color the picture of a young child washing her hands with soap and water.
Hand Washing Lesson Plan
Grade 1
Objective: Tell why cleanliness, grooming, posture, and body mechanics are important.
General Information:
Germs are everywhere.
Germs are so small that you cannot see them.
Germs can make you sick.
You can get rid of germs by washing your hands.
How to Wash Your Hands:
Use warm, running water.
Use liquid or pump soap whenever possible.
Rub hands together for at least 10 seconds.
Scrub underneath the fingernails.
Rinse and then dry.
When to Wash Your Hands:
After using the toilet.
Before eating or touching food.
After playing with animals.
Teaching Idea:
Use a spray bottle filled with clean water. Spray water on children's hands. Explain that the water on
their hands represents germs that come out of their mouths when they cough and sneeze. Now have
the children touch an object (i.e., table, chair, etc.). Ask them what happened to the object they
touched (it became damp). Explain that this is what happens when we sneeze into our hands and then
touch an object (the germs on our hands get on the object). Discuss what might happen if one of their
friends touches the object while it is moist (they might pick up the germs and get sick). Explain that
if you wash your hands after sneezing or coughing in them the germs will be washed away and there
will be less of a chance for people to get sick.
Miscellaneous Information:
Hand washing message needs to be reinforced several times throughout the day, especially before
lunch and after using the restroom.
Teach by example.
The activity asks each student to write his/her name on the bottom of the page pledging to wash
their hands. You may want to post one or all of the activity sheets in the classroom to serve as a
reminder of the pledge.
Please copy the activity on the reverse side of this sheet for the children to complete.
Reproduced With Permission of:
Utah Hygiene Education Coalition, 2001 S. State, S-2500, SLC, UT, 84190-2150, (801) 468-2700
Activity: Color the picture of a girl washing her hands with soap and water and cut out to
make a puzzle.
Hand Washing Lesson Plan
Grade 2
Objective: Tell why cleanliness, grooming, posture, and body mechanics are important.
General Information:
Germs are everywhere.
Germs are so small that you cannot see them.
Germs can make you sick.
You can get rid of germs by washing your hands.
How to Wash Your Hands:
Use warm, running water.
Use liquid or pump soap whenever possible.
Rub hands together for at least 10 seconds.
Scrub underneath the fingernails.
Rinse and then dry.
When to Wash Your Hands:
After using the toilet.
Before eating or touching food.
After playing with animals.
Teaching Idea:
Use a spray bottle filled with clean water. Spray water on children's hands. Explain that the water on
their hands represents germs that come out of their mouths when they cough and sneeze. Now have
the children touch an object (i.e., table, chair, etc.). Ask them what happened to the object they
touched (it became damp). Explain that this is what happens when we sneeze into our hands and then
touch an object (the germs on our hands get on the object). Discuss what might happen if one of their
friends touches the object while it is moist (they might pick up the germs and get sick). Explain that
if you wash your hands after sneezing or coughing in them the germs will be washed away and there
will be less of a chance for people to get sick.
Miscellaneous Information:
Hand washing message needs to be reinforced several times throughout the day, especially before
lunch and after using the restroom.
Teach by example.
The activity asks each student to write his/her name on the bottom of the page pledging to wash
their hands. You may want to post one or all of the activity sheets in the classroom to serve as a
reminder of the pledge.
Please copy the activity on the reverse side of this sheet for the children to complete.
Reproduced With Permission of:
Utah Hygiene Education Coalition, 2001 S. State, S-2500, SLC, UT, 84190-2150, (801) 468-2700
Activity: Connect the dots and then color picture of hands and arms being washed with soap
and water.
Hand Washing Lesson Plan
Grade 3
Objective: Describe how daily health practices make a difference in their appearance, health, and
feeling of well being.
When to Wash Your Hands:
After using the toilet.
Before preparing, touching or eating food.
After playing with animals.
After touching money.
After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
How to Wash Your Hands:
Use warm, running water.
Use liquid or pump soap whenever possible.
Rub hands together vigorously for 10 to 20 seconds.
Scrub underneath the fingernails.
Rinse thoroughly and dry with paper towel or hand dryer.
Importance of Hand Washing:
Germs are so small that you can not see them and they can be found almost everywhere.
Washing your hands can help to get rid of germs. Germs can make you sick.
There are many types of germs (e.g., bacteria and viruses).
Bacteria and viruses cause illness and disease.
Some illnesses and diseases that are caused by bacteria and viruses are very serious.
Some examples of illnesses and diseases caused by bacteria and viruses are: colds, flu,
pneumonia, hepatitis A and shigellosis.
Washing your hands is the best way to prevent these illnesses and diseases.
Miscellaneous Information:
Hand washing message needs to be reinforced several times throughout the day, especially
before lunch and after using the restroom.
Teach by example.
The activity asks each student to write his/her name on the bottom of the page pledging to
wash their hands. You may want to post one or all of the activity sheets in the classroom to
serve as a reminder of the pledge.
Please copy the activity on the reverse side of this sheet for the children to complete.
Answers to the activity are provided below.
Reproduced With Permission of:
Utah Hygiene Education Coalition, 2001 S. State, S-2500, SLC, UT, 84190-2150, (801) 468-2700
HAND WASHING WORD SEARCH
Find and circle the eight words in the puzzle
Germs Disease Soap Wash Hands Warm Water
Hygiene Clean Health
O Z S E I M J K I
R T O N C P A O S
E U M E T X B D T
T V E I G Q N I V
A E S G O A F C H
W C A Y H B P X R
M L E H E A L T H
R E S E B U R K O
A A I S F F B L M
W N D S M R E G N
Name_______________________________________________________
I pledge to wash my hands regularly
Glo Germ Company
P.O. Box 537
Moab, Utah 84532
(801))259 6034
(800) 842-6622 (USA)
(800) 634-0770 Canada
(801) 259-5930 FAX
Hand Washing Lesson Plan
Grade 4
Objective: Describe how daily health practices can affect one's appearance, health, and acceptance by
others.
General Principles:
Germs are so small that you can not see them and they are found almost everywhere.
There are many types of germs (bacteria and viruses).
Bacteria and viruses can cause illnesses and diseases such as: colds, influenza, pneumonia, hepatitis A
and shigellosis.
Washing your hands is the best prevention against these illnesses and diseases!
How to Wash Your Hands:
Use warm, running water.
Use liquid or pump soap whenever possible.
Rub hands together vigorously for 10-20 seconds.
Pay special attention to the cuticles and underneath the fingernails.
Rinse thoroughly and dry off hands with a dry paper towel or hand dryer.
When to Wash Your Hands:
After using the toilet.
After playing with animals, handling money and coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.
Before preparing, touching or eating food.
Importance of Handwashing:
Illnesses and diseases caused by bacteria and viruses can be very serious and can even cause death if
not properly treated.
Germs can be spread four ways: fecal-oral contact (e.g., hepatitis A and shigellosis), Direct/close
contact (e.g., lice), blood contact (e.g., HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B), and Respiratory/airborne contact
(e.g., influenza and colds).
Miscellaneous Information:
Hand washing message needs to be reinforced several times throughout the day, especially before
lunch and after using the restroom.
Teach by example.
The activity asks each student to write his/her name on the bottom of the page pledging to wash their
hands. You may want to post one or all of the activity sheets in the classroom to serve as a reminder
of the pledge.
Please copy the activity on the reverse side of this sheet for the children to complete.
Answers to Activity:
1. M G S E R = germs
2. S V U R I = virus
3. D S N H A = hands
4. T R W A E = water
5. S A P O = soap
6. S E A I D S E = disease
7. I B A E A T R = bacteria
8. T L E H A H Y = healthy
Reproduced With Permission of:
Utah Hygiene Education Coalition, 2001 S. State, S-2500, SLC, UT, 84190-2150, (801) 468-2700
HAND WASHING WORD SCRAMBLE
Unscramble the words below. Try not to use the hints.
Hint: Answer:
MGSER These are what make you sick. _______
SVURI This is one type of germ. _______
DSNHA What you should always wash. ________
TRWAE What you should wash your hands with. ________
SAPO This helps to eliminate germs. ________
SEAIDSE What germs can cause. ________
CIBAEATR This is another type of germ. ________
TLEHAHY Washing your hands can keep you ________!
Name_______________________________________________________
I pledge to wash my hands regularly
Glo Germ Company
P.O. Box 537
Moab, Utah 84532
(801))259 6034
(800) 842-6622 (USA)
(800) 634-0770 Canada
(801) 259-5930 FAX
Hand Washing Lesson Plan
Grade 5
Objective: List several common childhood communicable diseases and methods of prevention.
General Principles:
Germs are so small that you can not see them and they are found almost everywhere.
There are many types of germs (bacteria and viruses).
Bacteria and viruses can cause illnesses and diseases such as: colds, influenza, pneumonia,
hepatitis A and shigellosis.
Washing your hands is the best prevention against these illnesses and diseases!
How to Wash Your Hands:
Use warm, running water.
Use liquid or pump soap whenever possible.
Rub hands together vigorously for 10-20 seconds.
Pay special attention to the cuticles and underneath the fingernails.
Rinse thoroughly and dry off hands with a dry paper towel or hand dryer.
When to Wash Your Hands:
After using the toilet.
After playing with animals, handling money and coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.
Before preparing, touching or eating food.
Importance of Handwashing:
Illnesses and diseases caused by bacteria and viruses can be very serious and can even cause
death if not properly treated.
Germs can be spread four ways: fecal-oral contact (e.g., hepatitis A and shigellosis),
direct/close contact (e.g., lice), blood contact (e.g., HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B), and
respiratory/airborne contact (e.g., influenza and colds).
Miscellaneous Information:
Hand washing message needs to be reinforced several times throughout the day, especially
before lunch and after using the restroom.
Teach by example.
The activity asks each student to write his/her name on the bottom of the page pledging to
wash their hands. You may want to post one or all of the activity sheets in the classroom to
serve as a reminder of the pledge.
Please copy the activity on the reverse side of this sheet for the children to complete.
Activity: Hand Washing Crossword Puzzle
Answers to Hand Washing Crossword Puzzle Activity:
Across 1) hepatitis 3) vigorously 5) soap 6) toilet 7) fingernails
Down 1) hand washing 2) warm 3) viruses 4) bacteria 6) twenty
Reproduced With Permission of:
Utah Hygiene Education Coalition, 2001 S. State, S-2500, SLC, UT, 84190-2150, (801) 468-2700
Hand Washing Lesson Plan
Grade 6
Objective: Identify and discuss health practices associated with less illness and longer life expectancy.
General Principles:
Germs are so small that you can not see them and they are found almost everywhere.
There are many types of germs (bacteria and viruses).
Bacteria and viruses can cause illnesses and diseases such as: upper and lower respiratory tract
infections, influenza, pneumonia, hepatitis A and B and shigellosis.
Washing your hands is the best prevention against these illnesses and diseases!
How to Wash Your Hands:
Use warm, running water.
Use liquid or pump soap whenever possible.
Rub hands together vigorously for 10-20 seconds.
Pay special attention to the cuticles and underneath the fingernails.
Rinse thoroughly and dry off hands with a dry paper towel or hand dryer.
When to Wash Your Hands:
After using the toilet.
After playing with animals, handling money and coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.
Before preparing, touching or eating food.
Importance of Handwashing:
Illnesses and diseases caused by bacteria and viruses can be very serious and can even cause death if
not properly treated.
Germs can be spread four ways: fecal-oral contact (e.g., hepatitis A and shigellosis),
Direct/close contact (e.g., lice), blood contact (e.g., HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B), and
Respiratory/airborne contact (e.g., influenza and colds).
Miscellaneous Information:
Hand washing message needs to be reinforced several times throughout the day, especially before
lunch and after using the restroom.
Teach by example.
The activity asks each student to write his/her name on the bottom of the page pledging to
wash their hands. You may want to post one or all of the activity sheets in the classroom to serve as a
reminder of the pledge.
Please copy the activity on the reverse side of this sheet for the children to complete.
Answers to Activity:
1. virus
2. twenty
3. warm
4. antibacterial
5. fingernails
6. four
7. vigorously
8. hand washing
9. bacteria
10. toilet
Reproduced With Permission of:
Utah Hygiene Education Coalition, 2001 S. State, S-2500, SLC, UT, 84190-2150, (801) 468-2700
Secret Code Hand Washing Game
Actual Letter: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Secret Code
Letter: Z Y X W V U T S R Q P O N M L K J I H G F E D C B A
Secret code letters are in parenthesis below. Match the code letters to the actual letters to
spell a word relating to hygiene.
1. Type of germ that causes hepatitis A is a __________________.
(E R I F H)
2. Wash your hands for at least _____________ seconds.
(G D V M G B)
3. When washing your hands use ___________ water.
(D Z I N)
4. Hand washing soap should be ___________________________.
(Z M G R Y Z X G V I R Z O )
5. Most important part of hands to wash is under the _____________________.
(U R N T V I M Z R O H)
6. Germs can be spread at least _________ different ways.
(U L F I)
7. When washing your hands rub together ___________________.
(E R T L I L F H O B)
8. The best prevention against infectious disease is _______________________.
(S Z M W D Z H S R M T)
9. The type of germ that causes Shigella is a _________________________.
(Y Z X G V I R Z)
10. The most important time to wash your hands is after using the ________________.
(G L R O V G)
Name ______________________________________________________________
I pledge to wash my hands regularly
Glo Germ Company
P.O. Box 537
Moab, Utah 84532
(801))259 6034
(800) 842-6622 (USA)
(800) 634-0770 Canada
(801) 259-5930 FAX
