Lesson Plan | Teachy Methodology | Virus

Objectives

Duration: 10 - 15 minutes

The purpose of this lesson plan stage is to provide a clear and objective overview of the knowledge and skills that students should acquire. It is important that students understand the lesson objectives so they can direct their efforts effectively during practical activities and discussions guided by the teacher.

Main Objectives

1. Understand what viruses are and their main characteristics.

2. Recognize and describe the main characteristics of viral diseases.

Side Objectives

1. Relate the study of viruses to practical and current examples, such as COVID-19.

Introduction

Duration: 15 - 20 minutes

 Purpose: The purpose of this stage is to warm up student participation by activating their prior knowledge through a quick research task and encouraging information sharing. The key questions will serve to initiate a discussion that will help review important concepts and align the class's understanding before moving on to more practical activities.

Warming Up

 Warm-up: Start the lesson with a brief introduction on the topic. Explain that viruses are microorganisms that can cause a variety of diseases in humans, animals, and plants. Viruses are unique because they are not considered alive outside a host. To engage the students, ask them to use their cell phones to find an interesting fact about a specific virus and share it with the class. Give them 5 minutes for this research and then ask some students to share their findings.

Initial Reflections

1. What is a virus and how does it differ from other microorganisms?

2. What are some of the main characteristics of viruses?

3. How do viruses reproduce inside a host?

4. What are some of the most common viral diseases and their main symptoms?

5. How do vaccines work to prevent viral infections?

Development

Duration: 65 - 75 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to allow students to apply their theoretical knowledge about viruses and viral diseases in practical and interactive contexts. The proposed activities focus on the use of digital technologies and social networks, providing a relevant and engaging learning experience. It is expected that students will develop a deeper and contextualized understanding of the studied topics, along with practical skills in research, collaboration, and communication.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended that only one of the suggested activities be carried out

Activity 1 - Viral Treasure Hunt 

> Duration: 60 - 70 minutes

- Objective: Familiarize students with different types of viruses and viral diseases using an interactive approach to solidify their prior knowledge.

- Description: In this activity, students will participate in a digital treasure hunt. Using their cell phones, they will be guided through a series of clues and questions across different online platforms, including social media and informative websites, with the goal of finding and collecting information about different types of viruses and viral diseases.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Explain that each group will receive a list of clues that will lead to different information about viruses.

• Distribute the initial clues, which can be specific QR codes that direct them to webpages or social media.

• Each group should follow the clues, answering questions and collecting evidence as they progress through the treasure hunt.

• Use platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Wikipedia, and YouTube to hide the clues and additional information.

• Encourage students to document their findings in a multimedia presentation (they can use tools like Google Slides or PowerPoint).

• At the end of the activity, each group should present their findings to the class.

Activity 2 - Zombie Apocalypse: Viral Disease Simulator 履‍♂️履‍♀️

> Duration: 60 - 70 minutes

- Objective: Develop analytical and strategic skills, while deepening knowledge about the spread of viral diseases and containment measures.

- Description: This activity places students in the role of virology experts, where they must create a containment plan for a fictional 'zombie virus' that is spreading rapidly. They will use digital tools to simulate the virus's spread and develop containment strategies.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Explain that the lesson will simulate a zombie apocalypse, where a new viral disease has turned people into zombies.

• Each group must access an online simulator (like the game 'Plague Inc.' or an epidemic simulation tool) to understand the virus's spread.

• Groups should research characteristics of real viruses, comparing them with the fictional zombie virus, and use that information to create a containment plan.

• They should create a collaborative document (using Google Docs) to write their strategies, including preventive measures, treatment, and communication with the population.

• Groups should present their plans to the class, justifying their choices and strategies.

Activity 3 - Digital Health Influencers 

> Duration: 60 - 70 minutes

- Objective: Promote communication and creativity skills while reinforcing knowledge about viral diseases and public health practices.

- Description: In this activity, students will become digital health influencers. They will create multimedia content (posts, videos, stories) for social media to educate the public about different viral diseases and the importance of prevention and vaccination.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Explain that each group will be responsible for a social media awareness campaign about a specific type of viral disease.

• Groups should research thoroughly about the chosen viral disease, including symptoms, prevention, treatment, and the importance of vaccination.

• Each group should create a media plan, including posts for Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube (they can use tools like Canva, InShot for video editing, etc.).

• Groups should create at least 3 different posts, including a video, an image carousel, and an interactive story (using polls, questions, etc.).

• At the end, each group should present their campaign to the class, explaining their choices and strategies for engaging the public.

Feedback

Duration: 15 - 20 minutes

 Purpose: The purpose of this lesson plan stage is to promote a deep reflection on the activities carried out. By sharing their experiences and receiving feedback from peers, students can consolidate their learning, identify areas for improvement, and understand the practical relevance of the knowledge acquired about viruses and viral diseases. This stage also encourages the development of communication skills, constructive criticism, and collaborative work.

Group Discussion

 Group Discussion: Promote a group discussion where each group shares their discoveries and conclusions from the activities carried out. Use the outline below to guide the discussion:

1. Introduction: Ask each group to briefly present the work they carried out, focusing on the main points and the conclusions they reached.
2. Challenges and Solutions: Ask the groups what the biggest challenges they faced during the activities were and how they overcame them.
3. Applicability: Encourage students to reflect on how what they learned can be applied in real situations or in other disciplines.
4. Closure: Reinforce the importance of the acquired knowledge and how it relates to daily life and public health.

Reflections

1. What characteristics of viruses stood out during the activities? 2. How did the use of social media and digital tools help deepen knowledge about viral diseases? 3. In what way can the study of viral diseases influence our daily health practices and prevention?

360° Feedback

 360° Feedback: Instruct students to participate in a 360° feedback stage. Each student should receive constructive feedback from their peers within the group they worked with. Guide the class to ensure that feedback is respectful and focused on positive aspects and areas for improvement. Some guidelines include:

1. Be Specific: State exactly what was well done and what could be improved.
2. Be Respectful: Use language that respects the work of classmates.
3. Offer Suggestions: Instead of merely pointing out problems, suggest ways to improve.

Conclusion

Duration: 10 - 15 minutes

 Purpose: The purpose of this stage is to consolidate learning in a playful and relatable way, connecting theoretical concepts with their practical applications in the modern world. It also reinforces the importance of the knowledge acquired and encourages students to think critically about the relevance of viral diseases in their daily lives.

Summary

 Super-Viral Summary: Let's go over today's microbiological adventure! Viruses, those tiny and clever particles, are not considered alive outside a host but have a huge impact when they enter cells. They come in various forms and infect humans, animals, and plants. From viral diseases like the flu and COVID-19 to creative health campaigns, we explored it all in a mix of digital treasure hunts, zombie apocalypse simulations, and digital influencer campaigns! 裂履

World Connection

 Connection to the Current World: In an increasingly interconnected and digitalized world, viruses gain new contexts and challenges, especially with the rapid dissemination of information (and misinformation) through social media. Today's lesson showed how knowledge about viral diseases is not only essential for public health but also how it can be effectively and impactfully disseminated in today's digital universe.

Practical Application

 Importance in Real Life: Understanding viruses is crucial for maintaining global health, developing vaccines, and creating effective prevention strategies. In everyday life, this knowledge reflects in hygiene practices, vaccination, and how we consume and share information about health. Digital awareness can save lives!