Importance of Fertilizer, Manure, and Pest-Killing Chemicals
Detailed Lesson Plan for Basic Four Agricultural Science
Captivating Title: Importance of Fertilizer, Manure, and Pest-Killing Chemicals
Focus Keyphrase: Fertilizer, Manure, and Pest-Killing Chemicals
SEO Title: Fertilizer, Manure, and Pest Control: A Basic Four Guide
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Meta Description: Discover the importance of fertilizer, manure, and pest control chemicals for growing crops. Designed for Basic Four Agricultural Science lessons.
Lesson Plan
Subject: Agricultural Science
Class: Basic Four
Term: Second Term
Week: 4
Age: 9–10 years
Topic: Materials for Growing Crops (Continuation)
Sub-topic: Importance of Fertilizer, Manure, and Pest Control Chemicals
Duration: 40 minutes
Behavioural Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
- Explain the importance of fertilizers and manure in crop growth.
- List pest-killing chemicals and explain their uses.
- Describe good seeds and healthy stem cuttings for growing crops.
Keywords
Fertilizer, Manure, Pest-killing chemicals, Seeds, Stem cuttings
Set Induction
Start the lesson by asking:
- “What do we add to soil to make plants grow better?”
- “How can we stop pests from destroying our crops?”
Discuss their responses and introduce the topic.
Entry Behaviour
Pupils are familiar with basic materials for growing crops, including seeds, soil, and sunlight, from the previous lesson.
Learning Resources and Materials
- Samples: Fertilizers, manure, and pest-killing chemicals.
- Visual aids: Pictures of good seeds, stem cuttings, and pest-killing methods.
- Videos: Clips showing farmers applying manure or spraying chemicals.
Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge
Link the lesson to the previous discussion on materials for growing crops, explaining how fertilizers and pest control are part of successful farming.
Embedded Core Skills
- Observation skills
- Problem-solving
- Communication
Learning Materials
- Samples of fertilizers and manure
- Diagrams of pests and pest control methods
- Real stem cuttings and seeds
Reference Books
- Lagos State Scheme of Work
- Agricultural Science Textbooks for Primary Schools
Instructional Materials
- Chalkboard/Whiteboard
- Explanatory posters
- Samples of fertilizers and seeds
Content
Materials for Growing Crops (Continuation)
- Good Seeds
- Seeds must be viable, healthy, and free from pests or diseases.
- Examples: Maize, melon, and bean seeds.
- Good Stem Cuttings
- Healthy stem cuttings are clean, disease-free, and capable of sprouting.
- Examples: Cassava, yam, and sugarcane.
- Fertilizer or Manure
- Fertilizers supply nutrients to the soil, helping crops grow healthy and strong.
- Examples: NPK fertilizer, organic manure, poultry droppings.
- Pest-Killing Chemicals
- These protect crops from pests like insects, rodents, and birds.
- Insecticides: Sprayed to kill harmful insects.
- Rodenticides: Used to kill rodents like rats and rabbits.
- Baits and Scarecrows: Used to keep birds away.
Examples
- Maize seeds
- Healthy cassava cuttings
- NPK fertilizer
- Insecticides for killing pests
- Scarecrows for keeping birds away
Evaluation
15 Fill-in-the-Blank Questions with Options
- Fertilizers supply ______ to the soil.
a) Air
b) Nutrients
c) Pests
d) Water - Good seeds should be ______.
a) Diseased
b) Healthy
c) Broken
d) Old - Stem cuttings must be ______ to grow well.
a) Dirty
b) Healthy
c) Rotten
d) Dry - ______ is used to kill harmful insects on crops.
a) Fertilizer
b) Insecticide
c) Manure
d) Air - Good soil must be rich in ______.
a) Nutrients
b) Water
c) Stones
d) Sand - ______ can be used to scare birds away from crops.
a) Scarecrow
b) Pesticides
c) Fertilizer
d) Manure - Rodenticides are used to kill ______.
a) Birds
b) Rats
c) Insects
d) Crops - Plants grow better with ______ sunlight.
a) Little
b) No
c) Enough
d) Too much - Manure is also known as ______.
a) Fertilizer
b) Organic waste
c) Chemical spray
d) Water - Healthy cassava is grown from ______.
a) Old leaves
b) Stem cuttings
c) Rotten roots
d) Dry seeds
15 FAQs with Answers
- What are fertilizers?
Fertilizers are substances that add nutrients to the soil. - Why are seeds important for growing crops?
Seeds grow into plants when planted. - What is manure?
Manure is organic material added to soil to make it fertile. - How can pests damage crops?
They eat plants or spread diseases. - What chemicals kill insects on crops?
Insecticides. - What is a scarecrow used for?
To scare birds away from crops. - Name one example of a good seed.
Maize seed. - What type of stem cuttings grow well?
Healthy and disease-free cuttings. - What are rodenticides used for?
To kill rodents like rats. - How does fertilizer help plants?
It provides nutrients that make plants grow well. - What is the difference between manure and fertilizer?
Manure is natural, while fertilizer is chemical. - Why should seeds be free from pests?
Pests can damage seeds and stop them from growing. - What can we use to water crops?
Clean water. - How can we protect crops from insects?
By spraying insecticides. - Why do we need healthy stem cuttings?
Healthy stem cuttings grow into strong plants.
Presentation Steps
- Revision: The teacher revises the previous topic, “Materials for Growing Crops.”
- Introduction: The teacher introduces the topic by showing samples of fertilizer and manure, and discussing pest control.
- Discussion: Pupils contribute their ideas about pest control and fertilizers, with corrections provided where necessary.
Teacher’s Activities
- Display fertilizers and pest-killing chemicals.
- Demonstrate how to use fertilizers or insecticides.
- Guide pupils to identify healthy seeds and stem cuttings.
Learners’ Activities
- Observe and touch the materials displayed.
- Participate in discussions about fertilizers and pest control.
- Ask questions for clarification.
Evaluation Questions
- What is fertilizer used for?
- Name one example of a pest-killing chemical.
- Why should stem cuttings be disease-free?
- What type of seeds are best for planting?
- How can we scare birds away from crops?
- What is manure made from?
- Name one crop grown from stem cuttings.
- Why do plants need sunlight?
- What is the difference between manure and fertilizer?
- Name one pest that damages crops.
Conclusion
The teacher summarizes the lesson, emphasizing the importance of fertilizers, manure, and pest control. Feedback is provided as pupils’ work is marked.