Students use research and note-taking skills to record the symptoms and treatments for colds and flu, and then create a personalized get-well kit for future use. This lesson is designed to increase interest by using a relevant subject to stimulate student desire to engage in research.

LIBRARY MEDIA SKILLS OBJECTIVES
The student will:
Find information in non-fiction materials about the treatment of flu and colds.
-find and select a fiction or picture book that reflects a good practice for treating flu or colds.
-make a pertinent note from a book about symptoms and cures for flues and colds.
-use notes about symptoms and cures of flu and colds to make a kit.

CURRICULUM OBJECTIVES:
This activity may be included in a unit on health and the human body in health sciences or science.

MOTIVATIONAL OBJECTIVES:
The student will:
-become interested in the research process.
-understand the importance of information skills.
-experience increased confidence in research ability.
-achieve satisfaction in research accomplishments.

Resource List
Cold Kit Template

 

Credits:

School Library Media Activities Monthly Adapted for SOS by Kori Gerbig School of Information Studies Syracuse University

Sources:

School Library Media Activities Monthly January 2003; 19:5; 14-16 http://www.schoollibrarymedia.com http://www.crinkles.com

 

INSTRUCTIONAL ROLES:
-The classroom teacher focuses on introducing the topic and on how children many keep themselves healthy even when catching colds or flu. The library media specialist helps children look at picture books and nonfiction materials about the topic to decide how the materials may be used to complete get-well kits.

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES FOR COMPLETION:
-Introduce the activity by miming or role playing someone with the flu or a cold. Children may guess what is happening. Follow the introduction with several responses from children about their own bouts with colds or flu. Record what they did to feel better and to recover.

-Introduce the idea of the cold and flu as diseases that can attack the human body. Discuss how people might keep themselves fit so they don't get the illnesses. AS the topic is discussed, ask children how they might find out the symptoms of colds and flu. Each child is given white note cards to use when the visit the library media center is small groups. The students must research the symptoms for such diseases and record them on the cards. A set of color note cards are distributed. Students record on these how the symptoms might be relieved and the treatments for colds or flu.

-The students visit the library media center in small groups to work with the library media specialist. Discuss how one might find answers to these two problems. The library media specialist introduces non-fiction materials in which students might find descriptions of symptoms for colds and flu. The group may share in reading the materials. The library media specialist should discuss how to use the parts of nonfiction books to find information about their problem or search questions. As children find an answer, they record the note.

-The library media specialist also discusses how these books can be used to find out how to deal with symptoms. Picture books and fiction stories about people with the flu can be helpful also. The difference between the picture books and nonfiction books should be discussed. Students continue to record both symptoms and cures on their tow sets of note cards.

-Students return to the classroom with the notes. Group notes are collated and a master list of symptoms and cures are recorded. The list is discussed.

-The teacher explains that each student will make a kit to take home. The kit will include a list of symptoms and some suggestions for how they might get better. Thin information may be shared with their families. Each child is given a template for making the paper kit. The child picks out the items that should be in their personalized kits.

-Instructions should be written on each item selected for the kit based on the class notes. Discuss how medicines are only to be given with adult supervision. The kits are completed and shared.

FOLLOW-UP:
-Children may make a list of the best books to be read aloud to them when they are ill.

-After the student finds and uses nonfiction and picture books to find at least one symptom and one remedy for flu and colds, the notes are sued to complete a kit regarding these ailments.

School Library Media Activities Monthly
January 2003; 19:5; 14-16
http://www.schoollibrarymedia.com
http://www.crinkles.com