14-4
3. PRETEND THERMOMETERS
These can be made of cardboard and
covered with cellophane or transparent
tape. Students can prepare a series
of thermometers showing different
temperatures, to use in many different
role plays.
temperature dangerously low
(see WTND, p.273)
temperature dangerously low
(see WTND, p.273)
In role plays, use a cardboard baby, a doll, or a
real baby.
Role plays using pretend
thermometers provide practice
for what to do in different
emergencies. When examining
a sick baby, it is important that,
as soon as a dangerously high
or low temperature is observed,
the health worker interrupt his
examination and take action
to lower or raise the baby’s
temperature.
For example, if the
thermometer shows that a
baby has a dangerously low
temperature, the health worker
needs to correct this problem
at once. Only after the child is
out of immediate danger from
the low temperature should the
health worker continue with
the rest of the examination and
treatment.
For more examples of role plays using pretend thermometers, see the class plan
starting on p. 5-3.
Making ‘adjustable thermometers’ for role playing:
During their training, try to involve students not only in using appropriate teaching
materials, but also in making and even inventing them. (See Ch. 11.) This will help
health workers to be more creative when teaching and solving problems with the
people in their communities.
During a training course in Ajoya, Mexico, students had been using pretend
thermometers like those shown above. Then they were given a new challenge:
“Let’s see who can make a pretend thermometer with a temperature reading you
can change!” Students divided into small groups, and returned an hour later with the
inventions on the next page.