Angelo Ditta R&W Activity: Health Benefits of Flossing Your Teeth

Lesson Planning Activity (Level 4 GED class

Health Benefits of Flossing Your Teeth

Description:

This lesson is the first in a series that addresses good dental hygiene.  Students will read the article and identify the health benefits of flossing teeth. 

During this lesson, students will learn that there are several health benefits to flossing teeth.  Students will work independently and in groups identifying through reading and writing how to properly floss and explain and write a few health benefits that flossing offers.

Learning Objectives/Competencies:

Content

1.    Learn about dental hygiene (Flossing)

Literacy

1.    Use context clues to understand new vocabulary

2.    Locate and identify specific information

3.    Develop comprehension of new words

4.    Paraphrase information

5.    Write a detailed method of proper flossing

Materials:

1.    Lesson handouts and instructions

2.    Nicks, J.  “Health Benefits of Flossing Your Teeth.” Buzzle, Intelligent Life on the Web (Buzzle.com) 2013.

Steps:

Brainstorming:        15 minutes

1.    Introduce the term dental hygiene and ask the students to make a list of the ways they practice dental hygiene.  Write their ideas on the board and ask the students to explain why they practice that particular hygiene.

2.    Ask students to write the word flossing in their notebook.  Invite the students to write a simple sentence or two explaining what flossing is and how they think it should be done.  Write a few of their ideas on the board to create a list.

Group Reading:       15 Minutes

3.    Distribute the article, Health Benefits of Flossing Your Teeth.  Read the article together as a class asking students to underline words they are unfamiliar with.  Clarify and elaborate on any ideas that students need clarification on.

Small Group Work:             20 Minutes

4.    Ask students to form groups of five and to complete the vocabulary worksheet and address reflection questions on the handout.

a)    How has this article help you to understand the importance of dental hygiene, specifically flossing?

b)    Will you be changing your dental hygiene habits?  How?  Why?

Individual Work:      15 Minutes

5.    Complete the chart on dental flossing based on the questions for reflection.

Share Out:    15 Minutes

6.    Share the material on the chart with the class.

Homework:

1.    Ask students to write a detailed paragraph on why they would encourage someone in their family to floss regularly and how to floss properly.

Assessment:

1.    By collecting the student charts, the instructor can assess individual understanding.