This article by the National Library of Medicine teaches readers how germs make people ill. It includes several sections - what microbes are, the types of microbes (including viruses, bacteria, fungi, helminths, protozoa, and prions), how we encounter microbes, the mechanisms by which germs may enter a human host, how pathogens cause illness, and some examples of germs that cause illness. Students can make flashcards of each microbe and its mechanism of causing illness as they read. This article is great for comprehension and retention as it includes pictures, microscopic images, and diagrams. By reading this article, students should have a clear understanding of how each type of microbes contributes to illness.

This lesson introduces students to Prions, which are folded proteins that can lead to diseases.  The lesson includes articles and building a paper model