Physical Environment: Meaning, Types, and Features Social Studies JSS 1 First Term Lesson Notes Week 3

Subject: Social Studies
Class: JSS 1
Term: First Term
Week: 3
Age: 11-12 years
Topic: Physical Environment: Meaning, Types, and Features
Sub-topic: Understanding the Physical Environment and its Types
Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioural Objectives:

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Define the physical environment.
2. Identify the types of the physical environment.
3. Describe the features of each type of physical environment.
4. Give examples of how the physical environment affects human life.
5. Explain the importance of preserving the physical environment.

Keywords:

• Physical environment
• Features
• Natural environment
• Human-made environment
• Ecosystem

Set Induction:

The teacher asks the students to describe their surroundings (e.g., buildings, plants, roads). The teacher then explains that all these things are part of the physical environment.

Entry Behaviour:

Students are familiar with their surroundings at school and home.

Learning Resources and Materials:

• Lagos State Scheme of Work
• Pictures showing different types of environments (e.g., forests, cities)
• Flashcards with environmental features

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:

Students have learned about the importance of their surroundings in earlier topics. The teacher will build on this knowledge by introducing the concept of the physical environment.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Critical thinking
• Observation
• Environmental awareness

Learning Materials:

• Social Studies textbooks
• Charts illustrating the types of physical environments

Reference Books:

• Lagos State Scheme of Work
• Social Studies Textbook for JSS 1

Instructional Materials:

• Pictures of different physical environments (forests, rivers, cities)
• Posters showing natural and human-made features

Content:

1. Meaning of Physical Environment:
   The physical environment refers to everything around us, both natural and human-made, that we can see and touch. It includes things like land, water, air, buildings, roads, and more.
2. Types of Physical Environment:
   • Natural Environment: This includes things like mountains, rivers, forests, and oceans. These are features that occur naturally without human intervention.
   • Human-made Environment: This includes buildings, roads, bridges, and other structures created by humans.
3. Features of the Natural Environment:
   • Mountains: High landforms that rise above the surrounding land.
   • Rivers: Large bodies of water that flow through the land.
   • Forests: Large areas covered with trees.
   • Oceans: Very large bodies of saltwater that cover most of the Earth’s surface.
4. Features of the Human-made Environment:
   • Buildings: Structures like houses, schools, and offices made by people.
   • Roads: Paths for vehicles to move from one place to another.
   • Bridges: Structures built to connect two places over water or land.
5. Importance of the Physical Environment:
   • Provides resources for human survival like food, water, and shelter.
   • Helps in transportation, trade, and communication.
   • Affects weather and climate patterns.
   • Supports ecosystems and biodiversity.

Evaluation (Fill-in-the-Blank Questions):

1. The physical environment includes both _______ and human-made features.
   a) natural
   b) artificial
   c) controlled
   d) scientific
2. Mountains, rivers, and oceans are examples of the _______ environment.
   a) artificial
   b) human-made
   c) natural
   d) chemical
3. Roads and buildings are examples of _______ environment features.
   a) controlled
   b) human-made
   c) natural
   d) biological
4. A _______ is a high landform that rises above the surrounding area.
   a) river
   b) mountain
   c) forest
   d) ocean
5. The physical environment provides resources like food, _______ and shelter.
   a) medicine
   b) water
   c) money
   d) fuel
6. The _______ environment occurs naturally without human intervention.
   a) artificial
   b) scientific
   c) natural
   d) controlled
7. A _______ is a large area covered with trees.
   a) forest
   b) road
   c) school
   d) bridge
8. Oceans are large bodies of _______ water.
   a) freshwater
   b) clean
   c) salt
   d) rain
9. Buildings are examples of _______ features.
   a) natural
   b) organic
   c) scientific
   d) human-made
10. The physical environment supports _______ and biodiversity.
    a) resources
    b) air
    c) ecosystems
    d) climate

Class Activity Discussion (FAQs):

1. What is the physical environment?
   The physical environment refers to everything around us, including natural and human-made features.
2. What are the two types of physical environment?
   The natural environment and the human-made environment.
3. Can you name some features of the natural environment?
   Mountains, rivers, forests, and oceans.
4. What are some examples of human-made features?
   Buildings, roads, and bridges.
5. Why is the physical environment important?
   It provides us with resources, helps in transportation, and supports life.
6. How do mountains and rivers affect human life?
   Mountains provide minerals, while rivers provide water and help in transportation.
7. What role do forests play in the physical environment?
   Forests provide oxygen, food, and habitat for animals.
8. Why are buildings and roads part of the physical environment?
   They are made by humans to meet our needs for shelter and transportation.
9. How does the physical environment affect the weather?
   Natural features like oceans and forests influence weather and climate patterns.
10. What is biodiversity, and why is it important?
    Biodiversity refers to the variety of living things, and it is essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems.

Presentation:

Step 1: The teacher revises the previous topic, which was “Objectives and Importance of Social Studies.”
Step 2: The teacher introduces the new topic, “Physical Environment: Meaning, Types, and Features,” explaining that everything around us makes up the physical environment.
Step 3: The teacher encourages the students to discuss the types of environments they see daily and allows them to contribute examples.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Defines the physical environment and its types.
• Explains the features of the natural and human-made environment.
• Engages the students with pictures and examples.

Learners’ Activities:

• Participate in defining the physical environment.
• Provide examples of natural and human-made features.
• Ask questions and contribute to class discussions.

Assessment:

1. What is the physical environment?
2. Name the two types of physical environment.
3. List three features of the natural environment.
4. Explain the importance of the physical environment to human life.
5. Describe one human-made feature of the environment.

Evaluation Questions:

1. The physical environment includes _______ and human-made features.
2. A forest is an example of a _______ feature.
3. Roads are part of the _______ environment.
4. Name one feature of the natural environment.
5. What is the importance of the physical environment?
6. Buildings and bridges are _______ features.
7. The natural environment includes _______ and oceans.
8. The physical environment helps to support _______ life.
9. Describe how rivers are important in the environment.
10. The environment helps to control _______ and climate.

Conclusion:

The teacher goes around to mark the students’ work and provides feedback. The importance of the physical environment in supporting life and contributing to human activities is emphasized.