How to Learn About Microbes for Kids
Microbes are organisms that can only be seen with a microscope, not the naked eye. Therefore, the existence of microbes is a rather difficult concept for most kids to grasp. There are seven groups of microbes: bacteria, fungi, viruses, protists, archaea, microscopic plants, and microscopic animals. Scientists use these seven classifications as a way of defining all microbes. When teaching children about microbes, it is best to begin by focusing on bacteria, fungi, and viruses because most of these microorganisms can be described as germs or bugs. Germs are an easier concept for kids to understand.
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Instructions
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Define the word microbe for your students. Explain that it is an organism that can only be seen with a microscope.
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Use an online search engine to find pictures of microbes that are classified as viruses or bacteria. These will most often have names that kids have heard before such as streptococcus or E. coli.
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Set up microscopes with prepared slides of microbes. These can be purchased online at several educational science sites. They can often be purchased in sets of 12 or more and include several different kinds of microbes.
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Have children make observations while looking through the microscope. Have each child draw a picture of what they see in the microscope using colored pencils.
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After looking through the microscopes at all of the slides, have children research each microbe they looked at. Children should write a paragraph or two explaining and defining the microbes they saw. Gather all the research and pictures and create a "Microbe Book" for each of the children to refer to when discussing microbiology.
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- Photo Credit Microscope image by Ellanorah from Fotolia.com
