Teachers' zone
Sneezesafe Toolkit
Download all your FREE Sneezesafe* resources to teach good respiratory hygiene habits and help stop the spread of viruses.
Use Sneezesafe offline and online resources. Fun and interactive learning which is in line with the curriculum, helps develop habits and change behaviour.
Sneezesafe teaches tissue usage in line with Department of Health guidelines to help stop the spread of viruses:
| CATCH IT | – Germs spread easily. Always use a tissue to catch your cough and sneeze |
| BIN IT | – Germs live on tissues for several hours. Throw the tissue away immediately |
| KILL IT | – Hands transfer germs. Wash your hands as soon as you can |
The poster carries a simple message about respiratory hygiene to reinforce the learning objectives of the stories and games. This can be printed and enlarged for classroom display. There is also a black and white version of the poster that pupils can colour in and take home.
Two lesson plans have been developed, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, for teachers to help them teach Catch It, Bin It, Kill It, in line with NHS guidelines. The lessons can be delivered consecutively, or as stand-alone sessions. Teachers can also use them as a starting point to develop their own lessons.
The certificate can be printed and copied to hand out to pupils at the end of the programme to act as an incentive.
The letter to parents will direct them towards the parents’ section of the website and has the aim of increasing awareness about respiratory hygiene and tissue use so that good habits are reinforced at home as well as at school. Also it should encourage parents to ensure that their children are equipped with tissues.
Suggestions for using the downloads
1) The poster
- Talk to younger pupils about the poster's message using the image of Nathan (who has a cold) and the cold germs.
- Read the poster text aloud to the pupils then together with the pupils. Discuss the message and ask them why each of the ‘three rules’ (use a tissue for blowing your nose, covering sneezes and coughs; throw it in the bin; wash your hands promptly) is important.
- A good way to help pupils learn and remember the poster’s message is to read it together, ask them to look at it and try to remember it then cover the poster or turn it over and ask them to recall what it says. Repeat this until everyone can say the words together when the poster is covered.
- Older pupils can perhaps design their own poster or illustrate a mini-poster with a given message.
2) The certificate
- The certificates can be used as an incentive for pupils to work hard on the project and take the business of correct respiratory hygiene and tissue use seriously. Show one at the beginning of the project and say that they will be given out for good work at the end. All the pupils at the end of the project should be given a certificate to show recognition that they have worked well and the certificate will provide a reminder of what they have learnt.
- Emphasise that the certificates will go to pupils who follow the three rules in class and who can show that they can use tissues properly. Perhaps extra rewards instead of certificate?
- The certificates could be presented in a special class or school assembly at the end of the project where the pupils explain what they have been doing, show some of their work to others and read aloud (possibly with choral speaking) the three rules of good tissue use, adding that cold germs can be stopped this way to make the school healthier.
3) Letter to parents
- The letter can be sent out to parents either before the project or during the project. The latter will enable parents and pupils to talk about some of the issues covered, which may be helpful.
- Once downloaded, the letter can be edited and saved to suit the school’s circumstances and needs. It can then be printed and sent home with pupils to encourage parents to visit the website and find out more about respiratory hygiene.
- Using the website, parents can see the presentations and web activities which should encourage them to promote good tissue habits. Pupils can also play the online games with their parents at home.
