Use of Plants as Medicine Agricultural Science Primary 1 First Term Lesson Notes Week 5

Subject: Agricultural Science

Class: Primary 1

Term: First Term

Week: Week 5

Age: 6 years

Topic: Using Plants as Medicine

Sub-topic: Types of Medicinal Plants

Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioural Objectives:

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

1. Identify at least three types of medicinal plants.
2. Explain why plants are important for making medicine.
3. Mention some common medicines that come from plants.
4. Using plants for building

Key Words:

• Medicine
• Plant
• Healing
• Leaves
• Herbs

Methods of Teaching 

• Role modelling
• Questions and Answers
• Explanation
• Discussion
• Recitation
• Imitation
• Story Telling
• Dramatization

Set Induction:

The teacher shows pictures of common medicinal plants, like aloe vera and ginger, and asks the pupils if they know what these plants are used for.

Entry Behaviour:

Pupils are familiar with basic concepts of health and taking medicine when they are sick.

Learning Resources and Materials:

• Pictures of medicinal plants
• Real samples of some medicinal plants (if available)
• Flashcards
• Drawing paper and crayons

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:

The teacher asks the pupils about times when they were sick and what medicines they took, and then explains that some of those medicines might come from plants.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Observation
• Identification
• Description
• Drawing

Learning Materials:

• Pictures
• Real plant samples
• Flashcards

Reference Books:

• Lagos State Scheme of Work
• Primary 1 Agricultural Science Textbook

Instructional Materials:

• Pictures of aloe vera, ginger, and mint
• Actual samples of aloe vera, ginger, and mint (if possible)
• Flashcards with plant names

Content:

1. Types of Medicinal Plants:
   • Aloe Vera: Used for treating burns and skin conditions.
   • Ginger: Used for treating stomach aches and colds.
   • Mint: Used for treating indigestion and as a flavor in medicine.
2. Importance of Plants for Medicine:
   • Provide natural remedies for various illnesses.
   • Are often safer with fewer side effects.
   • Have been used for centuries in traditional medicine.
3. Examples of Medicines from Plants:
   • Aloe Vera Gel: Used for skin care.
   • Ginger Tea: Used for relieving stomach aches.
   • Mint Extract: Used in cough syrups and lozenges.
4. At times we may be sick.When we are sick, we need to see the doctor so that he or she can tell us what is wrong with us and give us some drugs.

   Some drugs are synthetic which means that they are produced in the lab where scientists work.

   Some drugs are natural which means that we can find them in the farm fruits and vegetables that we eat.

   Examples of plants that can be used as medicine are

   1. lime
   2. cucumber
   3. lemon
   4. ginger
   5. garlic
   6. aloe vera
   7. sugar cane
   8. kolanut
   9. bitter kola
   10. Onion

    

Questions:

1. Aloe vera is used for treating ____.
   • a) Headaches
   • b) Burns
   • c) Toothaches
   • d) Fever
2. Ginger helps with ____.
   • a) Ear pain
   • b) Stomach aches
   • c) Tooth decay
   • d) Eye sight
3. Mint is good for treating ____.
   • a) Indigestion
   • b) Headaches
   • c) Burns
   • d) Cuts
4. Aloe vera can be used as ____.
   • a) A drink
   • b) A gel
   • c) A powder
   • d) A spice
5. Ginger is often made into ____.
   • a) Lotion
   • b) Tea
   • c) Soap
   • d) Paint
6. Mint is used in ____ syrups.
   • a) Paint
   • b) Food
   • c) Cough
   • d) Ink
7. Plants provide ____ remedies.
   • a) Artificial
   • b) Natural
   • c) Harmful
   • d) Useless
8. Aloe vera is a type of ____ plant.
   • a) Medicinal
   • b) Decorative
   • c) Poisonous
   • d) Food
9. Ginger can be used to treat ____.
   • a) Colds
   • b) Broken bones
   • c) Bruises
   • d) Cuts
10. Mint extract is often used in ____.
    • a) Cough syrups
    • b) Food coloring
    • c) Furniture polish
    • d) Paint

Class Activity Discussion :

1. What is a medicinal plant?
   • A plant that is used to make medicine.
2. What is aloe vera used for?
   • Aloe vera is used for treating burns and skin problems.
3. What can ginger help with?
   • Ginger can help with stomach aches and colds.
4. What is mint used for?
   • Mint is used for treating indigestion and is a flavor in medicine.
5. Why are plants important for medicine?
   • Plants provide natural and often safer remedies.
6. Can aloe vera be used as a drink?
   • No, it is usually used as a gel.
7. What is ginger tea good for?
   • Ginger tea is good for relieving stomach aches.
8. Where is mint extract used?
   • Mint extract is used in cough syrups.
9. Are plant medicines new?
   • No, plant medicines have been used for centuries.
10. Is mint only used in medicine?
    • No, mint is also used in cooking and as a flavor.

Presentation:

Step 1:

• The teacher revises the previous topic, which was “Using Plants for Building”.

Step 2:

• The teacher introduces the new topic by showing pictures of different medicinal plants and naming them.

Step 3:

• The teacher allows the pupils to discuss the plants they know and what these plants are used for. The teacher corrects any mistakes.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Show pictures and real plant samples.
• Explain the types of medicinal plants and their uses.
• Ask questions to engage pupils.

Learners’ Activities:

• Observe pictures and real plant samples.
• Answer questions.
• Identify plant types.

Assessment:

• Pupils will draw a medicinal plant and label its use.
• Pupils will complete fill-in-the-blank questions.
• When we are sick, we should go to the ___________.
  a) hospital
  b) playground
  c) supermarket
  d) cinema2. Some drugs are made in the ___________.
  a) kitchen
  b) lab
  c) garden
  d) school

  3. Synthetic drugs are made in the ___________.
  a) zoo
  b) farm
  c) lab
  d) beach

  4. Natural drugs can be found in ___________.
  a) toys
  b) fruits and vegetables
  c) books
  d) shoes

  5. What are examples of plants that can be used as medicine?
  a) toys and games
  b) fruits and vegetables
  c) clothes and shoes
  d) cars and bikes

  6. Is lime a plant that can be used as medicine?
  a) Yes
  b) No

  7. Can we find drugs in the farm?
  a) Yes
  b) No

  8. What is an example of a natural drug?
  a) pen
  b) cucumber
  c) book
  d) computer

  9. Ginger is a plant that can be used as ___________.
  a) medicine
  b) music
  c) magic
  d) food

  10. Garlic can be used as ___________.
  a) medicine
  b) a toy
  c) a pet
  d) a movie

  11. Where can we find aloe vera?
  a) in the sky
  b) in the ocean
  c) in the forest
  d) in the garden

  12. What do we use sugar cane for?
  a) making clothes
  b) making medicine
  c) making music
  d) making toys

  13. Kolanut is an example of a plant that can be used as ___________.
  a) medicine
  b) a toy
  c) a vehicle
  d) a game

  14. Is bitter kola a plant that can be used as medicine?
  a) Yes
  b) No

  15. What can we use onions for?
  a) playing games
  b) making medicine
  c) flying kites
  d) watching TV

  1. Mention five plants that can be used as medicine.
     • ____________
     • __________
     • __________
     •  _______
     • ____________

   

Evaluation Questions:

1. What is aloe vera used for?
2. Name a plant that helps with stomach aches.
3. What is mint used for?
4. Why are plants important for making medicine?
5. What is ginger made into for treating stomach aches?
6. Name a medicinal plant used for skin care.
7. What is an example of a natural remedy?
8. Can aloe vera be used to treat burns?
9. Why is mint extract used in cough syrups?
10. What can ginger help treat besides stomach aches?

Conclusion:

• The teacher goes around to mark the pupils’ work and provides feedback.

More Useful Links

• Using plants as food for people Agricultural Science Primary 1 First Term Lesson Notes Week 2
• Using plants as food for animals Agricultural Science Primary 1 First Term Lesson Notes Week 3
• Using plants for building Agricultural Science Primary 1 First Term Lesson Notes Week 4