CBC Archives

Activate students’ prior knowledge by building a word web about infectious diseases. Prompt students with questions like the following:

What is an infectious disease? What are some examples?

How are infectious diseases spread?

How can people prevent the spread of infectious disease?

Can infectious diseases be cured?

Students may not mention tuberculosis. Tell them that tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), currently kills more adolescents and adults than any other single infection. It is the leading cause of death among women, and one-third of all deaths of people with AIDS are now caused by TB.

Have students visit the topic Tuberculosis: Old Disease, Continuing Threat on the CBC Radio and Television Archives Web site. Have them view Clip #1, including The Story and Did You Know? sections, and browse other clips in the topic. Direct them to work in pairs to develop TB Fact Sheets. Students should create headings within their fact sheets and present information in point form.

Have students report their findings in a group discussion, each pair taking a turn relating facts until no new information remains. Ask: What did you find most surprising or most interesting about the disease?

Students can explore the level of awareness of TB among their friends, families, and communities. The class can compose a short survey and pool results. Students can then discuss whether or not the level of awareness is appropriate to the threat posed by TB globally.