Pandemics and Epidemics Cut and Glue Activity for Middle School

Description

Are your middle school students still confusing pandemics with epidemics even after your lesson? You’re not alone.

 

This activity is the perfect way to clear up the confusion and help students apply what they’ve learned in a real-world, meaningful way. It’s low-prep, easy to implement, and full of just enough challenge to keep students thinking critically without getting overwhelmed.

 

In this pandemics and epidemics activity, students will:

• “analyze and interpret data to explain the difference between epidemic and pandemic as it relates to the spread, treatment and prevention of disease”.
• review facts for diseases, decide if it’s an epidemic or pandemic, then cut and glue the correct term.
• provide a brief explanation of their reasoning based on the facts provided.

 

This is not just a “read and match” task. Students will have to think deeply, apply their knowledge, and back up their answer with evidence. It’s a great way to promote scientific reasoning and clear up common misunderstandings.

 

✅ Download the preview and check out the sneak peek inside!

 

 

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Things to note with this activity:

• The disease facts are based on real epidemics and pandemics.
• The names of the epidemic and pandemics are listed on the answer key as well if you’d like to further discuss these.
• Don’t want to cut and glue? You can have students write down epidemic or pandemic in the blank.

 

What’s included in this resource?

• There are 3 pages of questions: 10 questions total
• Sheet with “pandemics and epidemics” to cut out for the answers
• Space to explain reasoning
• A complete ANSWER KEY with the correct terms and the name of each historical outbreak

 

 

Why does this activity work?

• It helps to bring some clarity to terms that are confusing. The terms  “epidemic” and “pandemic” sometimes just get tossed around. This activity helps them apply the terms to REAL diseases and outbreaks.
• It builds evidence-based thinking. Students aren’t just writing down the answers. They will need to justify them. This helps to strengthen their scientific reasoning and helps them to communicate their ideas clearly.
• It adds depth to your disease unit – without the extra prep. This is the perfect bridge between a lecture and a lab. Students can use this as a follow up and gives students a structured way to widen their knowledge.

 

This lesson pairs well with NC Standard LS.8.1.2 as well as other state standards dealing with the difference between epidemics and pandemics.

This is a great support activity for NGSS standard MS-LS2-4.

 

What are some fun ways to teach pandemics and epidemics? Check out these ideas!

 

★ This activity goes well with the following resources:

Pathogens and Diseases Interactive Lesson

Spread of Disease – Epidemics and Pandemics – Interactive Lesson

Diseases and Pathogens Case Studies Activity – Infectious Diseases

 

 

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Copyright © Bright in the Middle, Kayla Norville

Permission to copy for single classroom use only.

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