Simple Farm Tools or Instruments ( Pry 3 Second Term)

Subject: Agricultural Science

Class: Primary 3

Term: Second Term

Week: 2

Age: 7–8 years

Topic: Farm Tools

Sub-topic: Simple Farm Tools

Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioral Objectives:

By the end of this lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Define simple farm tools.

2. List at least 10 examples of simple farm tools.

3. Explain the uses of some common simple farm tools.

Keywords:

Simple, Tools, Farm, Cutlass, Hoe, Hand tools

Set Induction:

The teacher displays real or pictured examples of tools such as a hoe, cutlass, and watering can. Pupils are asked if they have seen or used any of the tools before.

Story Title: “Grandpa’s Farm and the Magic Tools”

One sunny morning in the village of Ireti, a young boy named Bolu was excited. He was going to spend the weekend at his grandpa’s farm for the first time!

“Grandpa,” Bolu asked eagerly as they walked past the chicken coop, “how do you grow so much food without big machines?”

Grandpa smiled. “Ah, Bolu, before tractors and machines, we had simple farm tools. And guess what? I still use them today!”

Bolu’s eyes lit up. “Really? Can you show me?”

“Of course,” said Grandpa. “Let me take you on a tour!”

They entered a small wooden shed near the yam barn. Inside, Bolu saw tools hanging neatly on the walls.

Grandpa picked up a cutlass first. “This,” he said, “is used to clear grasses and small trees before planting.”

Then he showed Bolu a hoe. “We use this to dig the ground and make ridges.”

Bolu tried lifting a shovel and a spade. “These look heavy!”

Grandpa laughed. “They are, but they help carry soil and dig holes for planting cassava or yam.”

Outside, Bolu saw a watering can. “We use that,” Grandpa said, “to water young crops, especially when there’s no rain.”

As they walked around the farm, Grandpa showed him more tools:

• A broom for sweeping

• A head pan for carrying harvested crops

• A garden fork for loosening soil

• A sickle for cutting rice stalks

• A hand trowel for planting flowers

• An axe, pickaxe, and mattock for breaking hard ground

Bolu was amazed. “Wow! These tools may be small, but they do so much work!”

Grandpa nodded. “Yes, Bolu. They are called simple farm tools because they are easy to use, don’t need fuel or electricity, and are perfect for small farms like ours.”

That evening, Bolu helped Grandpa harvest some vegetables using a hand trowel. He smiled, knowing he had learned something special.

Moral of the Story:

Simple farm tools may look ordinary, but they help farmers like Grandpa grow food for families and the community. They are easy to use and very important in farming.

Entry Behavior:

Pupils have previously learned about farming activities and may have seen some tools used in farming either in their community or at home.

Learning Resources and Materials:

• Real-life farm tools (Hoe, Cutlass, Watering Can, etc.)

• Picture charts showing various farm tools

• Flashcards with names of farm tools

• Digital resources (tablet visuals or printed pictures)

• Chalkboard and marker

Building Background / Connection to Prior Knowledge:

Pupils are familiar with farm activities like planting and weeding. Now they will explore the tools that help farmers do this work.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Observation

• Identification

• Communication

• Practical thinking

Learning Materials:

• Lagos State Unified Scheme of Work

• 9-Year Basic Education Curriculum (UBE)

• FarmToolFacts.org for reference

Content Development (Explanation):

Meaning of Simple Farm Tools:

Simple farm tools are small tools or equipment that are used by hand to perform farm work. These tools help farmers to plant, weed, and harvest crops easily.

They are operated by human power, not by machines. They are mostly used by peasant farmers—farmers who grow food mainly for their families and not for sale.

Examples of Simple Farm Tools:

Here are common simple farm tools:

1. Cutlass – used for clearing grasses and weeds.

2. Hoe – used for digging and making ridges.

3. Shovel – used to lift and move soil.

4. Spade – used for digging and turning soil.

5. Watering Can – used to water crops.

6. Broom – used to sweep the farmyard.

7. Sickle – used to harvest crops like rice.

8. Hand Trowel – used for planting small seedlings.

9. Garden Fork – used to loosen and lift soil.

10. Mattock – used for digging hard soil.

11. Axe – used for cutting wood.

12. Crowbar – used to dig out strong roots or rocks.

13. Headpan – used to carry soil or manure.

14. Pickaxe – used for breaking hard ground.

Presentation Structure:

Step 1: Revision

• Teacher reviews the last topic on the importance of farming.

Step 2: Introduction

• Teacher introduces the topic by asking pupils to name tools they have seen used in farming.

Step 3: Explanation

• Teacher defines simple farm tools and discusses the uses of each tool, showing real objects or pictures.

Step 4: Pupils’ Participation

• Pupils ask and answer questions, identify tools from pictures.

Step 5: Evaluation

• Teacher asks pupils to define and list simple farm tools.

Class Activity Discussion:

10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Q: What are simple farm tools?
   A: They are hand-held tools used by farmers to do farm work.

2. Q: Why are they called simple tools?
   A: Because they are easy to use and don’t need fuel or electricity.

3. Q: Who uses simple farm tools?
   A: Mostly peasant farmers and gardeners.

4. Q: What tool is used to cut weeds?
   A: The cutlass.

5. Q: Which tool is best for digging holes?
   A: The hoe or spade.

6. Q: What do we use to water plants?
   A: A watering can.

7. Q: Can a sickle cut grass?
   A: Yes, especially soft grass or crops like rice.

8. Q: What tool carries manure?
   A: A headpan.

9. Q: What’s the difference between a hoe and a shovel?
   A: A hoe is for weeding and ridging, a shovel is for lifting and moving soil.

10. Q: Is an axe used on the farm?
    A: Yes, to cut wood or trees on the farm.

Evaluation Questions (Short Answers):

1. What are simple farm tools?

2. Mention any five simple farm tools.

3. What is a hoe used for?

4. What tool is used to water crops?

5. Is a sickle a simple farm tool?

6. Who uses simple farm tools?

7. What tool is used to dig hard soil?

8. What is the function of a headpan?

9. What makes a farm tool ‘simple’?

10. Is a cutlass used for clearing weeds?

Assessment (Fill in the Blanks – Multiple Choice):

Choose the correct answer from the options:

1. A _______ is used to clear grasses.
   a. Trowel
   b. Cutlass
   c. Fork
   d. Can

2. A tool used for digging is called _______.
   a. Hoe
   b. Broom
   c. Can
   d. Sickle

3. The tool used to water crops is _______.
   a. Pickaxe
   b. Spade
   c. Watering Can
   d. Axe

4. _______ is used to carry things on the farm.
   a. Sickle
   b. Headpan
   c. Cutlass
   d. Hoe

5. Which of these tools is used to loosen soil?
   a. Garden fork
   b. Trowel
   c. Shovel
   d. Spade

6. A ______ is used to cut wood.
   a. Axe
   b. Hoe
   c. Spade
   d. Fork

7. _______ is used to harvest crops.
   a. Spade
   b. Sickle
   c. Headpan
   d. Hoe

8. A _______ is used for planting small crops.
   a. Shovel
   b. Cutlass
   c. Hand trowel
   d. Mattock

9. A ______ is used to break hard ground.
   a. Watering can
   b. Pickaxe
   c. Fork
   d. Broom

10. Simple farm tools are used by ________.
    a. Bankers
    b. Teachers
    c. Farmers
    d. Nurses

Conclusion (Wrap-up):

The teacher revises the topic by asking questions from pupils. Corrections are made where needed, and the lesson is summarized with examples.