Teacher's Resources

The ToxMystery teacher resources were developed by the National Library of Medicine for use by elementary school teachers in science or health classes. The lesson plans were written using the National Science Educational Standards. ToxMystery is available online at http://toxmystery.nlm.nih.gov or on CD, which can be requested from publicinfo@nlm.nih.gov.

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Lesson Plans

Lesson Plan 1: Introduction to Common Household Chemical Hazards (PDF, 225 KB)

Lesson 1 introduces students to potential environmental health hazards in their day – to – day environment. Working individually or in groups, students are introduced to ToxMystery and then search for potential environmental health hazards in each room of typical house.

Lesson 1 Activity Sheets (PDF, 3.74 MB)

Lesson Plan 2: CASE BOOK: CATCH THAT HAZARD! (PDF, 225 KB)

Lesson 2 is a follow-up lesson to the introductory ToxMystery lesson. It is a paper-based activity incorporating the character "Toxie" from the computer activity into a detective's "Case Book". Students work with the packet "Catch That Hazard".

Lesson 2 Activity Packet (PDF, 470 KB)

Lesson Plan 3: ACID OR BASE? TOXIE'S ON THE CASE! (PDF, 317 KB)

Lesson 3 extends the inquiry started in the ToxMystery activity by introducing students to the world of acidity and alkalinity in household products.

Lesson 3 Activity Packet (PDF, 346 KB)