Lather Up! Hand Washing Activity Handbook

I was pretty impressed with this workbook. The scenarios encouraged reading, problem solving, and learning of microorganisms and spread of infection. This could be great for independent study especially for advanced students that are bored with the regular curriculum. It could easily be used in the home-school setting or in the classroom. I teach science and math mostly, but also write laboratory curriculum and am heading towards homeschooling my own children. This book had more detail than expected including some pertinent history and even discussion of superbugs. I can honestly tell you that this book is pretty thorough for the age group intended and was a great way to teach some complex ideas like how we no longer clean with soap but detergents! (I teach chemistry and never heard or read that before, though it totally makes sense.) My only complaints are that - I think the "puzzles" could have been more logic and learning based than simple decoding or word searches. BTW, the key for the puzzles is included so make sure the children are not just copying answers ;-) - Some of the projects will need supplies not provided by this book (obvious)and to avoid blindly guessing, it would be best to have access to the internet to do some research. - The "making soap" part is merely melting soap. To REALLY make soap is called saponification and I actually do that with my college students, so you could imagine my disapointment... However, I making soap from lard is not necessarily the safest experiment for children and middle schoolers, so the book's route is probably better suited. - I HATE using glitter. There are a number of other ways to demonstrate germ passing without having the risk of getting glitter everywhere and into kid's eyes. Remember glitter is sharp little pieces of metal - so please use something less dangerous. Actually, in high school, we do a germ passing simulation with test tubes and "spit" which is just water. 1-3 people depending on the size of the class are given an "infected" solution which is a low concentration NaOH... Using disposable pipettes the solutions are shared to simulate sneezing, dirty door handles, holding hands, kissing, etc. At the end of the simulation, one drop phenolpthathalein is added to each student's test tube and the infected solutions turn bright pink. This can also be used in sex ed to simulate the passing of sexual transmitted diseases. Overall, the difficultly in reading, makes this workbook for older children through middle school, though some things could still be used as is or adapted for high school students or used with younger students (especially advanced learning). I would have LOVED to have a book like this when I was in the 4th or 5th grade.