T Cells Fight the Flu! by | Diane Findlay
Grades 1–5
Webquest Introduction This is the day you’ve been waiting for! You’re a T cell, a kind of white blood cell. You know you have an important role to play as part of the immune system that defends the body from diseasecausing germs. Without a strong immune system, a simple cold, cut, or scratch might make the body so sick it could die! You’re ready to learn about enemy germs, how T cells fight them, and what role you’ll play in protecting health. Today your training begins. Your instructor is the legendary General K (“Kamikaze”) T, and you’re a little nervous. Everyone knows he’s tough! You’ll have to be ready for anything. There’s always a chance that a real enemy invasion might turn your routine training into something more exciting! Task Working with your partner, you will: • Complete your on-line training with General KT, learning about germs and how the immune system defends against them • Carry out hands-on activities as instructed • Choose your T cell specialty • Show what you’ve learned by making a comic strip Working with the whole group, you will create a mural of posters sharing tips for keeping the immune system battle-ready. Process 1. Pay attention as your T Cell Orientation Coordinator (teacher!) explains how your training will go and points out locations of supplies and activities. 2. Gather paper and pencil and claim a computer workstation.
January 2010 Web Resources • LibrarySparks •
Webquest
3. Go online to meet your training instructor and start your research. You’ll visit Web sites and complete the training worksheets starting on page 3. NOTES: Words in italics are General KT speaking to trainees. Read all of each bullet point before you click on the link, so you know exactly what information you’re looking for on that site. And remember, not all Web sites are written for kids—it’s OK to use a dictionary! 4. Work with your partner to make a comic strip telling the story of your training. Get a T Cells Fight the Flu! Comic Strip worksheet from your teacher. Add a picture and dialogue to each frame. Write your names and your chosen kinds of T cells on the medals in the final frame. 5. Meet with other T cell training graduates to talk about what you learned. 6. Work with the group to make a mural of posters sharing tips for keeping your immune system strong. 7. Your teacher will help you finish and evaluate your work on the project.
• LibrarySparks • January 2010 Web Resources
Webquest
3. Go online to meet your training instructor and start your research. You’ll visit Web sites and complete the training worksheets starting on page 3. NOTES: Words in italics are General KT speaking to trainees. Read all of each bullet point before you click on the link, so you know exactly what information you’re looking for on that site. And remember, not all Web sites are written for kids—it’s OK to use a dictionary! 4. Work with your partner to make a comic strip telling the story of your training. Get a T Cells Fight the Flu! Comic Strip worksheet from your teacher. Add a picture and dialogue to each frame. Write your names and your chosen kinds of T cells on the medals in the final frame. 5. Meet with other T cell training graduates to talk about what you learned. 6. Work with the group to make a mural of posters sharing tips for keeping your immune system strong. 7. Your teacher will help you finish and evaluate your work on the project.
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T Cell Training Worksheet
Orientation and Training • “LISTEN UP, TRAINEES! Today your training begins! No more fun and games; this is serious business! I’m General KT, a proud T cell and member of the team of white blood cells that make up part of the body’s immune system. I’ll be your instructor. If you work hard and take your training seriously, we’ll get along fine. Start by officially meeting me at www.madaboutart.org/KidsImmune.aspx?pCnt=1. We T cells have important work to do. So let’s get started. First we’ll learn about germs—what they are, where they are, and how they manage to get into the body. Now get to work!” • Go to http://kidshealth.org/kid/talk/qa/germs.html. Read the first three paragraphs, through “What Types of Germs Are There?” What are the four main types of germs?
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• Where are germs lurking around us? Watch the video of Henry the Hand at www.henrythehand.com/pages/content/sub_ d.html. STOP THE VIDEO AFTER THE BOY SNEEZES
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• List at least five places you might find germs.
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• ACTIVITY: Let’s see how germs spread and where you might find them. www.sciencemadefun.net/CMS/2/p2.pdf (Scroll down to Germs Make Me Sick.) Rub a little lotion onto your hands, then sprinkle some glitter. Shake each other’s hands, high five, and watch how the glitter germs spread as you touch your skin, computer keyboard and mouse, etc.
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T Cell Training Worksheet
• How do those nasty get from that doorknob, or that sneezed-out gunk, or that sidewalk, into our bodies? List four main ways germs invade our bodies. http://library.thinkquest.org/J002353/how_ts.htm
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• “OK, trainees. Here’s where you start to learn about the crack team of defenders that make up the immune system. Long before we T cells get into the action, four first-rate, first-line defenders do their part.” www.cyh.sa.gov.au/HealthTopics/ HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&np=152&id=2402 (Click on The Skin.) Read about skin, and also the next section about the other three points of attack. List the four defenders.
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“Those guys make our jobs easier by keeping most germs out of our bodies. But there are always a few that get past the perimeter defenses and launch an attack on the body’s cells! That’s where we come in. T cells are one group of white blood cells, which make up part of the body’s blood. You’ve come into this training as immature T cells. It’s time to get ready to take your place in the immune system as mature, specialized T cells.” www.ingid.org/teaching-programmes/Introbasicimmune/cell.htm (Scroll down to the drawing) Think of this training as what happens in the body’s thymus gland. “You’ll complete your training as one of four kinds of T cells. They’re all important in carrying out our mission of protecting the body. What are they?”
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• “What does each kind of T cell do?” www.mansfieldct.org/schools/MMS/staff/hand/Warriorsimm.htm (Click on each kind of T cell in turn.)
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• “This picture shows T cells on duty, hanging out with red blood cells in the bloodstream. We’re the good-looking bluish-white cells. How many of us do you see?” www.madaboutart.org/Kids-Immune.aspx?pCnt=6
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T Cell Training Worksheet
The Enemy: Viruses • “OK, troops! Now that you’ve got the big picture, let’s learn about one kind of enemy. Our team will focus on viruses. Read the paragraph on viruses and fill in the blanks. http://library.thinkquest.org/J002353 (Click on “Our Microscopic Enemies.”) What does the word “virus” mean?
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• Viruses need a ____________________________ to infect, so they can multiply and do their dirty work. We need to be sure it’s not us!” Viruses are much smaller than T cells. How many viruses could fit on the head of a pin?
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• “It’s important to know the enemy! Take a good look at this photograph of a typical virus.” www.edu.pe.ca/southernkings/microvirus.htm • List some illnesses that viruses can cause. http://goodbyegerms.com (Scroll down and read the paragraph on viruses.)
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• “Watch how viruses take over cells to make more of themselves, killing our cells and making us sick.” www.knowitall.org/kidswork/hospital/jobplay/lab/index.html (Click on “Enter,” then “next,” then one of the cells, then “next,” “Vinnie Virus,” and the eye. CLICK ON “End Lab Test” after you hear “releases more viruses to infect more cells.”)
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T Cell Training Worksheet
Invasion! • “WHAT’S THAT? THINK SHARP, TRAINEES, IT’S AN ALARM! THIS TRAINING HAS JUST TURNED INTO A REAL EMERGENCY! I’VE JUST GOTTEN WORD THAT THE FIRST LINE DEFENSES HAVE BEEN BREACHED. AN ENEMY HAS INVADED. SINCE IT’S A VIRUS, OUR TEAM IS NEEDED TO JOIN THE FIGHT! We just have time for a quick briefing, before we go! Here’s what we know:” • “The enemy entered through the nose. Check out their point of attack.” www.commoncold.org/undrstnd.htm • “Oh, no! Their commander is the villainous Influenza Enzo! Here’s his picture, so you’ll know him if you see him. He’s famous for causing nasty bouts of flu.” www.scrubclub.org (Click on “Villain’s Gallery,” then “Influenza Enzo.”) • “Here’s what we’re in for if we don’t knock him and his buddies out in a hurry!” Read the first two paragraphs and the list of people in greatest danger from the flu. http://kidshealth.org/kid/ill_injure/flu/flu.html
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T Cell Training Worksheet
Battle! • “Our body needs all the help it can get! The Helper T cells have found the invaders and alerted the rest of the immune system. Here you’ll see the Helper T who sent out the alarm, and two Killer Ts at the site attacking the green cells invaded by the virus. www. immunediseaseeurope.com/ideu/patients/about/tcells.html The battle is on! Let’s get over there and lend a hand! We’ll ride the blood flow to the area and jump off at the infection site. Get ready!” • Check out the battle, as General KT rushes into action and takes on Influenza Enzo and his invading army! www.madaboutart.org/Kids-Immune.aspx? (Look at slides 5, 9, 13, and 14.) • “Now it’s your turn! No mercy! Once the viruses invade a body cell, they turn it into a virus factory! Infected cells must be stamped out before they can be used to spread the infection.” ACTIVITY: www.meddean.luc.edu/lumen/DeptWebs/microbio/publicsr/ fight/script.htm (Scroll down to Kirstin’s and John’s parts to learn how to fight the viral invaders. Remember to stomp only on the infected cells!) Head for the “battleground” in your room and do some damage!
• LibrarySparks • January 2010 Web Resources
T Cell Training Worksheet
6 Victory!
• “Looks like we’ve done it! Influenza Enzo’s tough, but we’ve beaten him. And we couldn’t have done it without you! Trainees, you’ve passed with flying colors! Suppressor T cells will send out the all-clear, so the whole immune system will know the attack is over and they can stand down. Now it’s up to the Memory T cells to store information on this attacker, so his kind can never beat us in the future. It’s a glorious calling! We succeed because we all work together: Helper Ts, Killer Ts, Suppressor Ts, Memory Ts and the rest of the immune system. Stand tall! You’re part of a proud tradition, whether you become Helpers, Killers, Suppressors, or Memory Ts.” • “It’s time to choose which kind of T cell you’re cut out to be. Let’s review.” -
Helper T cells patrol the body, spot invaders, and call up the immune system to fight infection
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Killer T cells rush to the site and attack invading germs
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Suppressor T cells call off the attack when the enemy is beaten, and help the system get back in balance for next time
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Memory T cells store details about the invader so it can never make the body sick again
• Tell each other your choices. Write down what kind of T cell you will be, and why you made that choice.
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T Cell Training Worksheet
Building a Strong Immune System • “Congratulations! You’re ready to go to work. One last thing before T Cell Graduation. It takes all the T cells, the other white blood cells, and the rest of the immune system working together to stay healthy. Your last task is to learn how to keep the whole immune systems in battle-ready condition. Visit these sites, and make a list (on paper) of all the tips you can find to strengthen the immune system.” • “We’ll start with the most important thing: WASH HANDS!” Read aloud the lists telling WHEN to when hands—before and after. www.squidoo.com/children-wash-hands#module10162226 (Scroll down to Preventing Mr. Germ) • How long should you scrub your hands when you wash them? www.wdghu.org/CMSImages/handwashing_videos/soapwashchild384k_stream.wmv Describe the steps in good hand-washing.
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• Take turns playing the game at www.bam.gov/sub_yourbody/yourbody_equation_food_game.html. Write your scores: ________________________________, ________________________________ • Use the on-screen arrows to click your way through the on-line coloring book at www.agr.state.nc.us/cyber/kidswrld/java/ ColorBig.htm. Read the captions together. Color one picture each, if you have time. • Take turns with this game. www.bam.gov/sub_yourbody/yourbody_equation_sleep.html. Who got the most minutes of sleep? ________________________________ • Read the first two paragraphs and add another item to your (paper) list. www.myfamilyexercise.com/ Kids%20Need%20Exercise.html • Check this out for another important tip. www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&np=285&id= 1803#3 • Skim this article for three diseases you can avoid by getting vaccinations. http://kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/body/ guide_shots.html
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• Try this game about using medicine to fight infections. What kinds of germs do antibiotics kill? Will antibiotics help if you have a virus? www.dobugsneeddrugs.org/kidsarea/games/infection • Are there new tips in the dark blue box at this site? Add them to your list. www.amnh.org/nationalcenter/infection/03_ inf/03_inf.html
NOW RETURN TO THE MAIN WEBQUEST SITE AND CONTINUE WITH PROCESS STEP 4 . • LibrarySparks • January 2010 Web Resources
Work with your partner to make a comic strip telling the story of your training. Add a picture and dialogue to each frame. Write your names and your chosen kinds of T cells on the medals in the final frame.
T Cell Training
Battling the flu virus
Victory
Graduation
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Webquest
Conclusion What a week! You’ve completed your T cell training, learned about the immune system, and defeated a nasty flu virus, too! But there’s much more to learn about dangerous germs and how to help our bodies stay strong and healthy. Look for more stories and information in books and on the Internet. Here are some places to start.
Books • Achoo!: The Most Interesting Book You’ll Ever Read about Germs by Trudee Romanek. Kids Can Press, 2008. • Bill Nye the Science Guy’s Great Big Book of Tiny Germs by Bill Nye. Hyperion, 2005. • Defend Yourself: The Immune System by Steve Parker. Heinemann-Raintree, 2007. • Germ Zappers by Fran Balkwill and Mic Rolph. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 2001. • Keep Healthy! by Angela Royston. Heinemann Library, 2003. • Oh, the Things You Can Do that Are Good for You! All about Staying Healthy by Tish Rabe. Random House, 2001. Web Sites • CDC Body and Mind, www.bam.gov • Kids Clean Club, www.kidscleanclub.com/html/what_are_ germs_.html • Kids World Food Safety Site, www.agr.state.nc.us/cyber/ kidswrld/foodsafe/index.htm • Kids’ Health:The Immune System, www.cyh.com/ HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&np=1 52&id=2402
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