Keeping Students Healthy This Winter: Classroom Hygiene and Health Lessons

Why Teaching Hygiene in Schools Matters—Especially Now

It’s winter, which means you practically can’t go anywhere without hearing the sound of a cough or seeing someone whip out a tissue to wipe their own or their kid’s drippy nose. This year, I have joined the ranks of parents who have been armed with tissues in hand, attempting to clean the running snot off their child’s face. I swear, my 7-month-old takes on the strength and skill of a pro wrestler as she parries the tissue aimed at her nose.

And while it might be easy to laugh at the messiness of parenting through cold season, there’s no denying that this year’s wave of winter illnesses feels especially heavy. Unfortunately, seasonal viruses like the flu, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), and COVID-19 are on the rise across the U.S.. As of Jan. 5, the CDC reports that doctor visits for flu-like symptoms—fevers, sore throat, extreme fatigue and body aches—have reached the highest level in nearly 30 years, with at least 5,000 flu-related deaths this season, including nine children. 

Classrooms, as we know, are hotspots for germ sharing, making hygiene education not just helpful—but essential. That’s why this season, we’re spotlighting classroom-ready hygiene and health education resources on Share My Lesson—to support you in keeping your students healthy, your classroom calm, and your lessons uninterrupted.

Germs in the Classroom: Simple Lessons, Big Impact

It’s been a while since I’ve been in the classroom, but some memories are hard to forget—like the very special kind of day when a student called me over for help, and just as I knelt down beside her, she turned and sneezed directly into my face … before asking her question. And yes, this happened more than once. With middle schoolers. I can only imagine the hero-level immune systems of those working in elementary and early childhood settings.

We all want our students to be kind, to share, to build community—but some things, like germs, are best kept to ourselves. With so many bugs going around, preventing illness in the classroom starts with helping students understand why hygiene matters and how they can take responsibility for their own health.

These ready-to-use health and hygiene lessons for students are perfect for making that happen:

• Wash Those Hands: A musical and interactive lesson that makes proper handwashing stick.
• Step-by-Step Multisensory Poem on Washing Hands: Designed for students with special needs in mind, this creative poem supports multisensory learning.
• Washing Hands Poster: Hang it near sinks to reinforce good habits daily.
• Ah-Choo!: A fun, engaging way to teach younger students about germs and personal space.

These free hygiene lesson plans for teachers go beyond instructions—they empower students to make healthy choices, especially during peak winter sickness season.

Family and Community: A Whole-School Effort

Health education doesn’t stop at the classroom door. When families, custodians and other school staff are all on the same page, prevention becomes a communitywide effort.