Show Your Shining Smile! Lesson Plan

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What We Are Learning
 

Social and Life Skills Focus:

responsible decision making/dental health

 

Theme Vocabulary:

brush, twice, dental floss, dentist, healthy

 

Skills We’re Practicing:

group discussion, critical thinking, vocabulary

  • Join Daniel Tiger on his first trip to the dentist with Daniel Goes to the Dentist by Alexandra Cassel Schwartz. Before you read, ask students whether they’ve been to the dentist. What happened when they were there? Then read the story to see if Daniel had the same experience!

Materials: Tooth Egg-speriment skill sheet, 3 hardboiled eggs with white shells, dark-colored juice (i.e, grape juice), cola, water, 3 clear cups, toothbrushes

  • This experiment demonstrates the importance of brushing your teeth. 
  • Remind children why we brush our teeth: When sugary foods or drinks stay on our teeth, it can cause holes called cavities. Some sugary drinks even stain teeth.
  • Show the hardboiled white eggs. Explain that an eggshell is like enamel, the white coating on our teeth. Enamel protects our teeth like an eggshell protects an egg.
  • Put one egg in a cup filled with water, one egg in a cup filled with juice, and one egg in a cup filled with cola. Ask children what will happen to the eggs if they soak in the cups overnight.
  • The next day, hand out the skill sheet. Together, check the eggs. What has changed? Have students color their pages to show the results. Then let them use a toothbrush to clean the darkened eggs. critical thinking/observing and recording

Materials: one tube of toothpaste, 1/2 cup cornstarch, mixing bowl, water, dental floss and toothbrushes (optional)

  • Engage in sensory play with a dental health twist!
  • Squeeze an entire tube of toothpaste into a mixing bowl. Add in cornstarch, mixing it in one spoonful at a time. Stir until you’ve reached your desired consistency. If the mixture is too flaky, add a little water to balance it out.
  • While you knead the dough, have students describe the smell and texture of the play dough. Elicit responses like smooth, soft, and minty.
  • Create a sensory center where students can engage with the play dough. You can even set out toothbrushes and dental floss for children to use with the play dough! sensory play/fine-motor skills