Time Line

• Our understanding of the immune system took a new turn toward the end of the 19th century with proof that micro-organisms caused infectious disease. An activity where you follow the development of ideas about the immune system throughout history is an exciting way to gain insight into how medical researcher have changed and developed theories about why we become ill. Make a time line where you show how our understanding of germs and viruses has changed. Provide information about innovations and new technologies that played a role in new discoveries and theories about our immune system. To make the time stand out, select a bacterium and write the information in small bacillus shapes.
  
  

Immune Defense Cartoon

• Write a cartoon about immune cells and their enemies. Immune cells such as white blood cells are the body's defense system. This system fights bacteria and viruses. Make an army of defense cells, with roundish bodies and small hats. Viruses are small and round with little knobs sticking out. Draw different types of bacteria such as spherical and rod-shaped. Use knowledge about how the defense system work and write a small story using the cartoon figures to explain about how our body defends itself. The defense army can remember some enemies but not others and this makes a good plot for a cartoon.
  
  

T Cells

• Write a rhyme about T cells. There are two different types of T cells, helper and killer cells. Write one line about the helper cells and the next line about the killer cells. End each verse with a line about the immune system. Use a rhyming dictionary to help you with suitable words. Use Play-Doh or clay and make helper and killer cells. Make the mouth on the killer cells angry and the helper cells have big smiles. Write down the rhyme on tab board and display it in the middle of cells.
  
  

Germ Drawing

• Search online for images on bacteria that cause diseases. Print out a couple of different types of bacteria such as salmonella and cholera. Let children make drawings of giant bacteria by use watercolors and pencils to capture the often colorful bacteria. Use white paper and cut a square of approximately 2 inches. Write down information about the type of bacteria and the disease on the paper and glue the note onto the drawing.