Learning Activity: Understanding allergies

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(CNN Student News) -- Students will learn about different types of allergies, their origins, symptoms and treatments.

Procedure

Inform students that, according to a survey released in August 2006 by the International Study of Asthma and Allergies, children's allergies -- from hay fever to food reactions -- are increasing around the world. Next, refer groups of students to the Web sites provided to learn about different types of allergies, including pollen, mold, insects and peanuts, as well as their origins, symptoms and treatments.

Pose the following questions to guide students' research:

What are allergies?

What are allergy triggers?

What happens to your body when you have an allergic reaction?

How does an allergy differ from a cold?

Why do people get allergies?

Can allergies be prevented?

Can allergies be cured?

What can people do to treat and manage allergic reactions?

After groups present their information, help your class create a brochure to teach their peers about allergies and how to recognize and respond to different types of allergic reactions. Distribute copies of the brochure to the health teacher, nurse and librarian at your school.

EXTENSION: Direct students to the CNN.com Allergy Report to find out the types of pollen that exist in their area and when these pollens are at their peak levels. Have students share their findings. Then, challenge students to write short poems describing the effects of spring allergies on a local resident.

Correlated Standards

Health

Standard 1. Knows the availability and effective use of health services, products, and information

Level III [Grade: 6-8]

Benchmark 2. Knows how to locate and use community health resources, products, and services that provide valid health information

Standard 2. Knows environmental and external factors that affect individual and community health

Level II [Grade: 3-5]

Benchmark 1. Knows how the physical environment can impact personal health

Level IV [Grade: 9-12]

Benchmark 4. Understands how the prevention and control of health problems are influenced by research and medical advances

Standard 8. Knows essential concepts about the prevention and control of disease

Level II [Grade: 3-5]

Benchmark 1. Knows ways in which a person can prevent or reduce the risk of disease and disability

Benchmark 3. Knows ways to maintain a functional level of health in the presence of disease or disability

Content Knowledge: A Compendium of Standards and Benchmarks for K-12 Education (Copyright 2000 McREL) is published online by Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) (http://www.mcrel.org/standards-benchmarks/), 2550 S. Parker Road, Suite 500, Aurora, CO 80014; Telephone: 303/337-0990.

Keywords

allergies, allergens, triggers, hay fever, pollen, food, pets, dust mites, asthma, insects, immune system, hypersensitivity, antibodies, antihistamines