42
Microbe, Virus and the girl Salomat (Part 1)
Textbook: Part 3, pp. 39–42
GoalKnow the features of a verse tale (rhyme + plot + lesson); have a correct understanding of microbes and hygiene.
New words
microbe · mikrobhygiene · gigiyenasoap · sovunhealth · salomatlik
Explanation
The textbook has the verse tale “Mikrob, virus va Salomat qiz haqida ertak” (A tale about Microbe, Virus and the girl Salomat) by Kavsar Turdiyeva (Part 1), in which good and bad characters struggle for health. We do not retell it; we read our own text. A verse tale is a tale told in poetry: it has rhyme, plot and lesson. Microbes are tiny creatures invisible to the eye. Most are harmless and even useful (for example in making yogurt), but some cause disease. To protect ourselves from illness we wash our hands with soap.
Worked examples
“Invisible guests”. In a science lesson the teacher told us about microbes. They are invisible but may be on our hands, tables and door handles. Some are harmless, others cause disease. So before meals, after coming in from the street and after the toilet we wash our hands with soap for at least twenty seconds. We checked it by counting: singing the little “I wash my hands” song twice makes twenty seconds. Now I wash my hands this way at home too.
Rule: soap + water + 20 seconds. Remember: many microbes are harmless.
Class activity
“20 seconds”: children demonstrate the handwashing steps (palms, backs, between fingers) as the teacher counts.
Practice
1
What kind of creatures are microbes?
Tiny creatures invisible to the eye
2
Are all microbes harmful?
No, many are harmless or useful.
3
When do we wash our hands? Name two cases.
Before meals; after coming in; after the toilet
4
For how many seconds should hands be washed?
At least 20
5
What does a verse tale contain?
Rhyme, plot and a lesson