Overview | How does the immune system react to allergens, causing allergy symptoms in some people? How can children, parents, doctors and communities respond to allergies, both mild to severe? In this lesson, students conduct a one-question interview to gather data on how much their classmates know about and are affected by allergies. Then, they work in groups to create a play to teach other, and others in the school community, about allergies, including how the immune system works in people with and without allergies.
Materials | Computers with Internet access, materials for props and costumes, research materials on allergies, the immune system and related topics
Warm-up | Individually or in pairs, have students use a One-Question Interview (PDF) format to complete a brief activity to assess the class’s knowledge and beliefs about allergies. Assign one of the questions below to each pair, or develop your own questions that suit your students and their background knowledge. Have pairs write their question on the top of the handout. Explain that as they move around the room to ask their question, their classmates will be doing the same. (Complete teacher directions for this activity are available here.)
