Growing Crops and Improving Crops Yields II

Subject : 

Basic Science and Technology

Term :

First Term

Week:

Week 9

Class :

Primary 6/ Basic 6

Previous lesson : 

The pupils have previous knowledge of  Growing Crops

Topic :

Growing Crops and Improving Crops Yields II

Specific Behavioural objectives :

At the end of the lesson, the pupils should be able to

• define fertilizer
• give examples of fertilizer
• define manure
• list examples of manure
• explain the proper use of fertilizer

Instructional Materials :

• Wall charts
• Pictures
• Related Online Video
• Flash Cards

Methods of Teaching :

• Class Discussion
• Group Discussion
• Asking Questions
• Explanation
• Role Modelling
• Role Delegation

Reference Materials :

• Scheme of Work
• Online Information
• Textbooks
• Workbooks
• 9 Year Basic Education Curriculum
• Workbooks

Content  Development :

Fertility and Crop Yield
Crop yield is the amount of crops per unit area of a particular farmland. One
of the factors that affect crop yield is the level of fertility of a particular soil
the farmer intends to use for farming. Naturally the soil is enriched with the
amounts of nutrients from the decomposed leaves of plants and dead animals.
However, in the process of preparing the land for plant growing, there is the
possibility for loss of soil fertility. In such a situation, there is the need for an
organized (artificial) fertility in order to ensure and sustain the nutrient of the
land for maximum crop yield.
Fertilizers are organized methods of adding substance to the soil to make it
more enriched in fertility for the purpose of helping plants to grow well and
for maximum crops yield. There are two classes of fertilizers. They are
organic manure and chemical fertilizers.
Organic Manure:
This is also called natural manure. There are three types of natural manure,
namely: animal (livestock) manure, green (vegetable) manure and compost
manure.
Artificial Fertilizer:
This is obtained from inorganic a substance which is applied to the soil to
improve its fertility.
Artificial fertilizer is also known as chemical fertilizer. Examples are the NPK
fertilizer, Super Phosphate, Urea and lime.
Growing Crops for Family Needs
Improving crop yield is important because it would help us satisfy our needs.
When crop production is improved, there will be enough food for us to eat
and more to sell for money. We therefore need to increase soil fertility
through the application of suitable manure or fertilizer.

Growing Crops with Compost Manure
Compost manure contains, in the right proportions, all the food substances
plants need to grow well.
Growing Crops with Chemical Fertilizers
Chemical fertilizer enriches the soil and helps crops to grow properly and
yield harvest. Chemical fertilizer contains all food materials the soil needs as a
substitute for natural nutrients which might not be of appreciable quantity
and quality on the farmland. The appropriate quantity of chemical fertilizers
must be followed by the farmer on application.
Growing Crops without Manure or Chemical Fertilizer
Crops without natural manure or chemical fertilizers:
(i) May grow very unhealthy.
(ij) May grow abnormally.
(iii) May not yield maximally.
(iv) May be defenseless against diseases.
(v) May not grow fast

Presentation

The topic is presented step by step

Step 1:

The class teacher revises the previous topics

Step 2.

He introduces the new topic

Step 3:

The class teacher allows the pupils to give their own examples and he corrects them when the needs arise

Conclusion

The class teacher wraps up or conclude the lesson by giving out short note to summarize the topic that he or she has just taught.

The class teacher also goes round to make sure that the notes are well copied or well written by the pupils.

He or she does the necessary corrections when and where  the needs arise.

Evaluation

1. Name four common fertilizers.
2. State the difference between manure and a chemical fertilizer?
3. Describe how to make compost.
4. State how a poor farmer improves the yield of his crops?

Assignment

Prepare for the next lesson by reading about the human circulatory system