Natural Resources
Lesson Plan: Natural Resources
Subject: Social Studies
Class: Primary 4
Term: Second Term
Week: Week 12
Age: 8–9 years
Topic: Natural Resources
Sub-topic: Understanding Natural Resources and Their Preservation
Duration: 40 minutes
Behavioural Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
- Define natural resources.
- Explain how mineral resources are formed.
- Mention types of mineral resources.
- Discuss how to preserve natural resources.
Keywords:
- Natural resources
- Minerals
- Preservation
- Renewable
- Non-renewable
Set Induction:
Display pictures of natural resources such as crude oil, gold, farmland, and forests. Ask pupils if they know where these resources come from. Use their responses to introduce the topic.
Entry Behaviour:
Pupils are aware of jobs people do, including farming and mining, which depend on natural resources.
Learning Resources and Materials:
- Pictures of natural resources (e.g., crude oil, coal, forests, water bodies)
- Charts showing types of resources
- Flashcards with definitions of key terms
Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:
Relate the lesson to employment by discussing how people work in industries like farming, mining, and forestry, which depend on natural resources.
Embedded Core Skills:
- Critical thinking
- Environmental awareness
- Communication
- Collaboration
Reference Books:
- Lagos State Scheme of Work for Social Studies
- Approved Social Studies textbooks
Instructional Materials:
- Flashcards with definitions and examples
- Charts showing different types of natural resources
- A globe or map to identify areas rich in resources
Content
1. Meaning of Natural Resources
- Natural resources are things found in nature that people use to meet their needs.
- They include materials like air, water, soil, minerals, plants, and animals.
Examples:
- Crude oil found in the Niger Delta.
- Gold and diamonds found in certain parts of Nigeria.
- Fertile soil used for farming.
- Forests that provide timber and medicine.
- Rivers and oceans that provide water and fish.
2. How Mineral Resources Are Formed
- Through Geological Processes: Minerals are formed over millions of years due to heat and pressure in the Earth’s crust.
- From the Decomposition of Plants and Animals: Fossil fuels like coal and crude oil are formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals.
- By Natural Erosion: Wind and water carry minerals to new locations, where they settle and accumulate.
3. Types of Mineral Resources
- Metallic Minerals: Gold, silver, copper, and iron.
- Non-Metallic Minerals: Coal, limestone, and salt.
- Fossil Fuels: Crude oil, natural gas, and coal.
- Renewable Resources: Solar energy, water, and wind.
- Non-Renewable Resources: Crude oil, gold, and coal.
4. How to Preserve Natural Resources
- Reduce Waste: Avoid wasting water, energy, and materials.
- Recycle Materials: Reuse materials like paper, plastics, and metals.
- Plant Trees: Prevent deforestation and maintain forests.
- Use Renewable Energy: Depend more on solar, wind, and hydroelectric power.
- Educate People: Teach others about the importance of conserving resources.
Examples of Natural Resources in Nigeria
- Crude oil in the Niger Delta.
- Tin in Jos Plateau.
- Limestone in Edo and Ogun states.
- Cocoa in the southwest region.
- Rubber in the south-south region.
Evaluation
Part A: Multiple-Choice Questions
Instruction: Choose the correct answer.
- Natural resources are things found in __________.
a) Schools
b) Nature
c) Markets
d) Factories - Crude oil is an example of a __________ resource.
a) Renewable
b) Non-renewable
c) Metallic
d) Non-metallic - Which of these is NOT a way to preserve resources?
a) Planting trees
b) Wasting water
c) Recycling materials
d) Using solar energy - Fossil fuels are formed from __________.
a) Animals in zoos
b) Ancient plants and animals
c) Trees in forests
d) Rocks in rivers - Tin is mined in __________.
a) Lagos
b) Jos Plateau
c) Kano
d) Enugu
Part B: Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
Instruction: Fill in the blanks with the correct answers.
- __________ resources are materials found in nature that we use.
- __________ energy is an example of renewable energy.
- __________ is formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals.
- Recycling helps to __________ natural resources.
- Crude oil is found in the __________ Delta region of Nigeria.
Part C: True or False
Instruction: Write “True” or “False” for the following statements.
- Natural resources include water, minerals, and soil.
- Fossil fuels are renewable resources.
- Planting trees helps to preserve forests.
- Tin is an example of a non-metallic mineral.
- Recycling reduces waste.
Class Activity Discussion:
FAQs to Guide Discussion
- What are natural resources?
Answer: They are things found in nature that people use to meet their needs. - Give two examples of natural resources.
Answer: Water and crude oil. - How are fossil fuels formed?
Answer: From the remains of ancient plants and animals over millions of years. - Name a metallic mineral found in Nigeria.
Answer: Gold. - Mention one way to preserve natural resources.
Answer: Recycling materials.
Presentation:
- Introduction:
- Revise the previous topic (Employment) and its relation to resources.
- New Topic:
- Introduce the topic with pictures and explain key terms.
- Student Contribution:
- Pupils mention resources they know and discuss how they are used.
- Teacher’s Activities:
- Explain the formation and types of resources.
- Show pictures and charts for better understanding.
- Learners’ Activities:
- Identify resources from pictures.
- Discuss how they can help preserve resources.
Conclusion:
The teacher summarizes the lesson, emphasizing the importance of using resources wisely and protecting the environment. Feedback is provided on pupils’ understanding.