Bacterial Disease: Salmonella & Gonorrhea

National Curriculum Links

KS4 Science (Year 10) – Biology module:

B3: Infection and response
Pupils should understand how organisms cause infectious disease and how the spread of diseases can be reduced or prevented.
Specific reference: Describe bacterial diseases, including salmonella and gonorrhoea, their symptoms, and treatments.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

LO1: Identify the bacterial diseases salmonella and gonorrhoea.
LO2: Describe symptoms and modes of transmission for salmonella and gonorrhoea.
LO3: Explain standard treatments and prevention methods for both diseases.
LO4: Develop awareness of good hygiene and responsible behaviours to reduce bacterial infection.

Success Criteria

Students will be able to:

SC1: Accurately list symptoms for salmonella and gonorrhoea.
SC2: Explain how each disease is transmitted and name at least one prevention strategy for each.
SC3: Describe antibiotic treatment and emphasise antibiotic resistance concerns for gonorrhoea.
SC4: Participate in class discussion demonstrating understanding of disease control.

Resources

Dyslexia-friendly fact sheets on salmonella and gonorrhoea (clear fonts, coloured backgrounds, chunked text, bullet points)
Whiteboard/flipchart
Scenario cards for group work
Short animated videos (subtitled) on bacterial infections (accessible for all reading levels)
Worksheets with a mix of multiple-choice, matching, and short answer questions

Lesson Structure (30 minutes)

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

Engage: Present two mystery cases (one salmonella, one gonorrhoea) via short vignettes with symptoms described.
Ask: "What could be causing these symptoms?" Prompt students to think about bacteria.
State learning objectives and explain importance of understanding bacterial diseases.

Teaching tip: Use visuals and speak clearly. Check for understanding with quick “thumbs up/down” questions.

2. Core Content Input (10 minutes)

Provide dyslexia-friendly fact sheets to each student.
Teacher-led explanation highlighting:
- Salmonella: symptoms (diarrhoea, vomiting, fever), transmission (contaminated food, poor hygiene), and treatment (rehydration, antibiotics rarely needed).
- Gonorrhoea: symptoms (painful urination, discharge, often asymptomatic), transmission (sexual contact), treatment (antibiotics, antibiotic resistance issues).
Use short animated videos (2-3 mins each) to reinforce facts visually and auditorily.

Differentiation:

Students with reading difficulties use audio versions of fact sheets or paired reading.
Extension: Advanced learners research why antibiotic resistance is a serious problem for gonorrhoea and share with class next lesson.

3. Activity - Scenario Role-Play (10 minutes)

Divide class into pairs or groups of three; assign roles: patient, doctor, public health advisor.
Using scenario cards, students create a short role-play about diagnosis, symptoms, preventing spread, and treatment advice for either salmonella or gonorrhoea.
Students present role-plays to class.

Differentiation: For students less comfortable performing, they prepare a written dialogue or visual poster instead.

4. Review & Assessment (5 minutes)

Quick quiz (oral or written) with questions such as:
- Name two symptoms of salmonella.
- How can gonorrhoea be prevented?
- Why is antibiotic resistance a concern for bacterial infections?
Reflect: What would you do to protect yourself and others from these infections?
Summarise key points and check success criteria.

Differentiation Strategies

Multisensory input: text, video, discussion, role-play
Dyslexia-friendly print materials
Peer support for activities
Extension tasks for high achievers
Alternative output formats (written, oral, visual)

Extension Activities for Advanced Learners

Research and present on historical outbreaks of bacterial diseases and how understanding of bacteria changed treatments.
Investigate and report on current antibiotic resistance challenges worldwide, focusing on gonorrhoea.
Create a public health poster or social media campaign for bacterial disease awareness.

Reflection for Teachers

Monitor students’ understanding via role-play and quiz responses.
Note student engagement with dyslexia-friendly resources to inform future adaptations.
Encourage questions about antibiotic resistance, linking to wider scientific and social issues.

This highly interactive, accessible lesson not only conveys required knowledge from the National Curriculum but also actively engages a small class with varied learning preferences and strengths, empowering students to apply understanding in real-life contexts.