Pathogens and Diseases: Meaning and Types of Pathogens, Meaning and Types of Diseases, Symptoms and Prevention Primary 5 (Basic 5) Third Term Week 8 Physical and Health Education

PATHOGENS AND DISEASES: MEANING AND TYPES OF PATHOGENS, MEANING AND TYPES OF DISEASES, SYMPTOMS AND PREVENTION 

PHYSICAL AND HEALTH EDUCATION (PHE)

PRIMARY 5 – THIRD TERM – WEEK 8

THEME – PATHOGENS, DISEASES AND THEIR PREVENTION – DISEASES

PREVIOUS LESSON – Swimming Strokes: Meaning and Practical Demonstration of the Swimming Strokes (From the Easiest to the Most Difficult Swimming Strokes) Primary 5 (Basic 5) Third Term Week 6 Physical and Health Education

TOPIC – PATHOGENS AND DISEASES 

LEARNING AREA

1. Introduction

2. Meaning and Types of Pathogens

3. Meaning and Types of Diseases

4. Symptoms and Prevention

5. Weekly Assessment: Test Questions and Answers/Assignment

6. Summary

LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Explain the meaning of pathogens.

2. Identify the different types of pathogens.

3. Explain the meaning of diseases.

4. State the different types of diseases.

5. Differentiate between pathogens and Diseases

6. Identify common symptoms of diseases.

7. Explain ways of preventing diseases.

ENTRY BEHAVIOUR

Pupils have previously learned about food and nutrition, the importance of eating a balanced diet, and how proper nutrition helps the body stay healthy and resist diseases. They also learned that poor nutrition can make the body weak.

This lesson builds on that knowledge by introducing pathogens, which are harmful organisms that cause diseases. Pupils will also learn the types of diseases, their common symptoms, and ways to prevent diseases in order to maintain good health.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

The teacher will teach the lesson with the aid of:

1. Charts showing different pathogens

2. Pictures of healthy and sick people

3. Flashcards

4. Charts on disease prevention

5. Whiteboard and marker

METHOD OF TEACHING

Choose a suitable and appropriate methods for the lessons.

Note – Irrespective of choosing methods of teaching, always introduce an activities that will arouse pupil’s interest or lead them to the lessons. 

REFERENCE MATERIALS

1. Scheme of Work

2. 9 – Years Basic Education Curriculum

3. Course Book

4. All Relevant Material

5. Online Information

CONTENT OF THE LESSON

INTRODUCTION

Every day, people come into contact with tiny living things that cannot be seen with the naked eye. Some of these tiny organisms are harmless, while others can enter the body and cause sickness. These harmful organisms are called pathogens.

In this lesson, pupils will learn the meaning and types of pathogens, the meaning and types of diseases, their common symptoms, and ways to prevent diseases.

LESSON 1 – MEANING OF PATHOGENS

Pathogens are tiny harmful living organisms (germs) that enter the body and cause diseases.

TYPES OF PATHOGENS

1. Bacteria

Bacteria are tiny living organisms that can cause diseases.

Examples of Bacteria:

• Cholera

• Typhoid fever

• Tuberculosis

2. Viruses

Viruses are very tiny germs that can only grow inside living cells.

Examples of Viruses:

• Measles

• Influenza (Flu)

• COVID-19

• Chickenpox

3. Fungi

Fungi are organisms that grow in warm and damp places and can cause infections.

Examples of Fungi:

• Ringworm

• Athlete’s foot

4. Protozoa

Protozoa are tiny one-celled organisms that live in water or inside living things.

Example of Protozoa: Malaria

LESSON 2 – MEANING OF DISEASE

Disease is a condition that affects the normal functioning of the body and makes a person sick.

TYPES OF DISEASES

1. Communicable Diseases

These are diseases that can spread from one person to another.

Examples:

• Malaria

• Measles

• Cholera

• Tuberculosis

• Chickenpox

2. Non-Communicable Diseases

These are diseases that do not spread from one person to another.

Examples:

• Diabetes

• Hypertension (High blood pressure)

• Asthma

• Cancer

LESSON 3 – COMMON SYMPTOMS OF PATHOGENS AND DISEASES

1. Fever

2. Headache

3. Cough

4. Running nose

5. Sore throat

6. Body weakness

7. Vomiting

8. Diarrhoea

9. Loss of appetite

10. Skin rashes

PREVENTION OF PATHOGENS AND DISEASES

1. Wash your hands regularly with soap and clean water.

2. Eat a balanced diet.

3. Drink clean and safe water.

4. Keep your environment clean.

5. Sleep under an insecticide-treated mosquito net.

6. Receive recommended immunizations.

7. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

8. Avoid sharing personal items.

9. Exercise regularly.

10. Visit the hospital when you are sick.

11. Dispose of refuse properly.

12. Avoid contact with infected people whenever possible.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PATHOGENS AND DISEASES

1. Pathogens are tiny harmful germs that cause diseases, while diseases are illnesses that affect the body.

2. Pathogens enter the body to cause infection, while diseases make people feel sick.

3. Pathogens are the cause of many diseases, while diseases are the result of infection or other health problems.

4. Pathogens include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa, while diseases include malaria, cholera, measles, diabetes, and asthma.

5. Pathogens spread infection, while diseases affect the normal functioning of the body.

WEEKLY ASSESSMENT: TEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS/ASSIGNMENT 

A. Multiple Choice Questions

1. Pathogens are ______.

A. healthy foods

B. harmful germs that cause diseases

C. body organs

D. medicines

2. Which of the following is a type of pathogen?

A. Virus

B. Vitamin

C. Protein

D. Mineral

3. A disease that spreads from one person to another is called a ______ disease.

A. balanced

B. non-communicable

C. inherited

D. communicable

4. Which of the following is a non-communicable disease?

A. Cholera

B. Measles

C. Diabetes

D. Malaria

5. Which of the following helps prevent diseases?

A. Drinking dirty water

B. Eating a balanced diet

C. Sharing towels

D. Leaving refuse around the house

B. Fill in the Blanks

6. ______ are tiny harmful germs that cause diseases.

7. Malaria is caused by a ______.

8. A disease that does not spread from one person to another is called a ______ disease.

9. Fever is a common ______ of disease.

10. Washing your hands with soap and water helps ______ diseases.

C. True or False

11. Bacteria are pathogens. ______

12. Viruses can cause diseases. ______

13. Asthma is a communicable disease. ______

14. Keeping the environment clean helps prevent diseases. ______

15. Pathogens are the same as healthy foods. ______

D. Match Column A with Column B

Column A – Column B

16. Bacteria – A. High body temperature

17. Virus – B. Non-communicable disease

18. Fever – C. Prevents diseases

19. Diabetes – D. Causes measles

20. Hand washing – E. Causes cholera

ANSWER KEYS

1. B – Harmful germs that cause diseases

2. A – Virus

3. D – Communicable

4. C – Diabetes

5. B – Eating a balanced diet

6. Pathogens

7. protozoan (protozoa)

8. non-communicable

9. symptom

10. prevent

11. True

12. True

13. False

14. True

15. False

16. E – Causes cholera

17. D – Causes measles

18. A – High body temperature

19. B – Non-communicable disease

20. C – Prevents diseases

SUMMARY

In this lesson, pupils learned that pathogens are tiny harmful germs that cause diseases. They identified the four main types of pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.

Pupils also learned that a disease is a condition that affects the normal functioning of the body and makes a person sick. They identified the two main types of diseases:

• Communicable diseases, which can spread from one person to another.

• Non-communicable diseases, which cannot spread from one person to another.

They learned the common symptoms of pathogens and diseases caused by pathogens, such as:

• Fever

• Headache

• Cough

• Running nose

• Body weakness

• Vomiting

• Diarrhoea

• Skin rashes

• Loss of appetite

Finally, pupils learned that pathogens and diseases can be prevented by:

• Washing hands regularly with soap and clean water.

• Eating a balanced diet.

• Drinking clean and safe water.

• Keeping the environment clean.

• Sleeping under insecticide-treated mosquito nets.

• Taking recommended immunizations.

• Covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

• Avoiding contact with infected people.

• Visiting the hospital when sick.

• Exercising regularly and maintaining good personal hygiene.

PRESENTATION

To deliver the lesson, the teacher adopts the following steps:

Step 1: Introduction – The teacher asks pupils if they have ever been sick and what symptoms they experienced. The teacher introduces pathogens as harmful germs that cause diseases.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils mention common illnesses and their symptoms.

Step 2: Meaning of Pathogens – The teacher explains the meaning of pathogens and introduces the four main types:

• Bacteria

• Viruses

• Fungi

• Protozoa

The teacher gives simple examples of diseases caused by each type.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils identify the types of pathogens and give examples.

Step 3: Meaning and Types of Diseases – The teacher explains the meaning of diseases and distinguishes between:

• Communicable diseases

• Non-communicable diseases

The teacher gives examples of each type.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils mention the two types of diseases and their examples.

Step 4: Symptoms of Diseases – The teacher explains the common symptoms of diseases caused by pathogens, such as:

• Fever

• Headache

• Cough

• Running nose

• Body weakness

• Vomiting

• Diarrhoea

• Skin rashes

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils identify common symptoms of diseases.

Step 5: Prevention of Pathogens and Diseases – The teacher explains ways to prevent pathogens and diseases, including:

• Washing hands regularly.

• Eating a balanced diet.

• Drinking clean water.

• Keeping the environment clean.

• Sleeping under mosquito nets.

• Taking immunizations.

• Covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing.

• Visiting the hospital when sick.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils discuss and mention ways to prevent diseases.

Step 6: Group Activity – The teacher divides the class into four groups and assigns the following activities:

• Group 1: Explain the meaning of pathogens and identify the four types.

• Group 2: Explain the meaning of diseases and classify them into communicable and non-communicable diseases.

• Group 3: Identify the common symptoms of diseases caused by pathogens.

• Group 4: Discuss and demonstrate good health practices that help prevent diseases.

Each group presents its work before the class.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils discuss, complete their assigned tasks, and present their findings.

Step 7: Lesson Summary – The teacher reviews the meaning of pathogens, types of pathogens, meaning and types of diseases, common symptoms, and methods of preventing diseases.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils answer oral questions and summarise the lesson.

Step 8: Evaluation – The teacher asks oral and written questions and observes pupils identifying pathogens, diseases, symptoms, and preventive measures correctly.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils answer the evaluation questions and participate actively in the lesson.

CONCLUSION

To conclude the lesson for the week, the teacher revises the entire lesson and links it to the following week’s lesson.

NEXT LESSON

Diseases: Concept of Diseases, Signs and Symptoms of Diseases, Differences Between Sickness and Illness Primary 5 (Basic 5) Third Term Week 9 Physical and Health Education

LESSON EVALUATION 

Teacher asks pupils,

1. What are pathogens?

2. Mention the four types of pathogens.

3. What is a disease?

4. State the two main types of diseases.

5. Mention three examples of communicable diseases.

6. Mention three examples of non-communicable diseases.

7. State five common symptoms of diseases caused by pathogens.

8. Mention five ways to prevent diseases caused by pathogens.

9. State the difference between pathogens and diseases.

10. Explain why it is important to wash your hands regularly, keep your environment clean, and receive immunization to prevent diseases.