Recommended Read Aloud books
Germs Make Me Sick
by Melvin Berger
Kid’s Discover Series issue on
Microbes
Tiny Creatures: The World of Microbes
by Nicola Davies
Activity Materials
The amount of these materials will depend on the number of students you plan to teach, so the number is based on a class of 25 students.
Microscope slides of various bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. Preferably types mentioned in the background information of this unit.
100 sterile cotton swabs (wrapped)
100 3M PetriFilm
E. coli
coliform plates (you might be able to get them directly through 3M for free)
2 four gram packages of P&G Purifier of Water (Calcium Hypochlorite)
Several large, clear containers for water (1-2 gallons).
10-20 pounds of playground sand (often sold in 50 pound bags).
10-20 pounds of rinsed aquarium gravel (often sold in 50 pound bags)
5 pounds activated charcoal
About a yard of cloth (cheese cloth preferred)
25 clean, clear 2-liter bottles (less if you have students work in groups)
Various materials for making water filter cases – canisters, pipe, plastic jars, etc.…