Drew Health Ambassadors – Fall 2007
In collaboration with ENVS 408: Urban Asthma Epidemic
Grade Level: 3rd – 5th
Asthma Lesson Plan 4: Living With Asthma
Aim: Students will learn how to live with asthma and how to cope with occasional attacks.
Performance Objectives:
- Know how to monitor levels using a peak flow meter, and use the meter to find own ideal level.
- Know what to do in the event of an attack.
- Learn about athletic asthma.
Materials:
Healthy snack
Markers, crayons, colored pencils, colored paper
Folders
Storyboard – decorated with “team name”
Storyboard materials (pieces of colored paper, stickytack, white cards)
Handouts/worksheets
1. Introduction (5 minutes)
One Penn student begins the lesson, reviewing any homework assignments that the children may have had. Also, ask if there are any questions that the children had for the residents, so that they may address them next week.
2. Peak Flow Meter (15 minutes)
One resident gives a brief description of a Peak Flow Meter, explaining that it is an instrument that measures how well someone is breathing. Everyone has their own number, according to how much air is coming through the lungs. People with asthma usually have lower numbers.
In the group, everyone should have a turn at measuring their peak flow, and writing their number down.
When everyone is finished, a Penn student or a resident will address the group, explaining that people with asthma should write down their numbers everyday. After they have recorded them for a few weeks, they will know what they can or can’t do, depending on their peak flow meter reading on any particular day.
3. Medication (10 minutes)
A Penn student or resident will briefly discuss medication.
Two weeks ago, you saw an inhaler. An inhaler is called “quick-relief medicine.” This means that you use your inhaler when you need relief right away, if you have asthmatic symptoms, if your peak flow meter reading is low, or if you are having an attack. It helps to open up the airways and stop an attack. An inhaler is an example of a medicine that you don’t take every day – you take it when you need it.
(show p. 50 of the Georgetown material)
There are other medications that you take every day. They are called long-term-control medicines. These work to help keep people with asthma healthy every day so that they get fewer asthma attacks.
4. Attacks Do Happen (20 minutes)
Activity:
Penn students will distribute a straw to each elementary student. One Penn student should ask children to breathe through the straw and give a “thumbs up” sign if it is easy to breathe, or a “thumbs down” sign if it is hard. Then ask them to slowly pinch the straw as they continue breathing, and again give the thumbs up or down sign. Explain that having an asthma attack can feel like breathing through a pinched straw.
That same student should continue addressing the group. Explain that having trouble breathing is one of the most basic signs of an asthma attack. However, there are many others. (Distribute copies of p. 10 – Georgetown material). Go through each of the signs, explaining each, and asking if there are any questions.
5. Storyboard & Conclusion
Homework #4:
Interview someone who has asthma (10 questions to follow)
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