Benefits of earthworms to the farmers and soil Agricultural Science Primary 2 Third Term Lesson Notes Week 2

Subject: Agricultural Science
Class: Primary 2
Term: Third Term
Week: 2
Topic: Importance of Earthworms to Farmers
Duration: 45 minutes

Behavioural Objectives:

• By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to explain why earthworms are important to farmers.
• Pupils should be able to describe the activities of earthworms that benefit farmers.

Key Words:

• Earthworms
• Soil
• Plants
• Humus
• Nutrients
• Decay

Entry Behaviour:
The teacher asks pupils to recall what they learned about earthworms in the previous lesson.

Learning Resources and Materials:

• Pictures of earthworms and soil activities
• Samples of soil and dead leaves
• Whiteboard and markers
• Storybooks about earthworms
• Reference books (Lagos State Scheme of Work)

Building Background / Connection to Prior Knowledge:
The teacher revises the previous lesson about earthworms and their importance to farmers.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Observing
• Describing
• Comparing
• Inferring

Learning Materials:
Pupils will have access to pictures, soil samples, and storybooks about earthworms.

Instructional Materials:
The teacher will use visual aids, such as pictures and soil samples, to enhance understanding.

Instructional Materials 

• Wall Charts showing types of Insects
• Online Resource
• Textbooks
• Scheme of work
• 9- Year Basic

Methods of Teaching 

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

Content: 

Importance of Earthworms to Farmers:

1. Soil Loosening: Earthworms loosen the soil, like how we loosen knots in shoelaces, making it easier for plants to grow 🌱.
2. Soil Moistening: They keep the soil wet, like when we water plants, so they can drink and grow big and strong 💧.
3. Air Flow: Earthworms help air move freely in and out of the soil, like when we breathe fresh air 🌬️.
4. Nutrient Mixing: They mix dead leaves with soil, like stirring ingredients in a recipe, making the soil full of yummy nutrients for plants 🍂.
5. Decay Assistance: Earthworms help dead leaves decay faster, like how food disappears when we eat it 🍁.
6. Humus Formation: They help make humus, a special soil that’s like a cozy blanket for plants, keeping them warm and happy 🌿.
7. Soil Irrigation: Earthworms water the soil, just like when we sprinkle water on our garden to help plants grow 🚿.

Evaluation:

1. Earthworms help __________ the soil. a) harden b) loosen c) dry d) color
2. Earthworms keep the soil __________. a) cold b) dry c) wet d) hard
3. Earthworms aid in the ________ of air in soil. a) blocking b) flow c) hiding d) eating
4. Earthworms mix dead leaves with soil to improve __________. a) taste b) color c) nutrients d) height
5. Earthworms help dead leaves __________ faster. a) grow b) decay c) shine d) dance
6. Earthworms assist in the formation of __________ in the soil. a) sand b) humus c) rocks d) water
7. Earthworms __________ the soil like a gardener. a) water b) bake c) freeze d) dry
8. Earthworms are important for making soil __________. a) hard b) loose c) sandy d) hot
9. Earthworms help plants by keeping the soil __________. a) dry b) wet c) cold d) small
10. Earthworms help air __________ in the soil. a) flow b) stop c) hide d) disappear
11. Earthworms mix dead leaves to make soil full of ________. a) rocks b) sand c) nutrients d) toys
12. Earthworms make dead leaves __________ faster. a) grow b) dance c) decay d) sing
13. Earthworms help in the __________ of humus. a) formation b) destruction c) hiding d) eating
14. Earthworms ________ the soil to help plants grow. a) bake b) water c) freeze d) dry
15. Earthworms act like little ________ in the soil. a) birds b) cooks c) gardeners d) doctors

Importance of Earthworms to Farmers

• Activities of the earthworm loose the thickness of the soil
• Earthworms make the soil wet for plants to grow
• They help the free flow of air in and out of the soil
• Earthworm mixes dead leaves with top soil and this improves soil nutrients
• They make dead leaves decay faster
• They help in the formation of humus in the soil
• Earthworm irrigate the soil

Class Activity Discussion :

1. : Why are earthworms important to farmers?
   • Answer: Earthworms help farmers by loosening the soil, keeping it moist, and adding nutrients for plants.
2. : What do earthworms do to the soil?
   • Answer: Earthworms mix dead leaves with soil, helping it become full of yummy nutrients for plants.
3. : How do earthworms help plants grow?
   • Answer: Earthworms keep the soil wet, like a sponge, so plants can drink water and grow big and strong.
4. : Where do earthworms live?
   • Answer: Earthworms live in burrows in the soil, where it’s moist and cozy.
5. : What happens when earthworms mix dead leaves with soil?
   • Answer: Dead leaves decay faster, making the soil even better for plants to grow.
6. : What is humus and how do earthworms help make it?
   • Answer: Humus is a special soil that’s like a cozy blanket for plants. Earthworms help make it by breaking down dead leaves.
7. : Why is it important for soil to be loose?
   • Answer: Loose soil is easier for plants to grow in because their roots can move freely and find food.
8. : How do earthworms help air flow in the soil?
   • Answer: Earthworms make tunnels in the soil, allowing air to move freely like when we breathe fresh air.
9. : What happens when earthworms keep the soil moist?
   • Answer: Plants can drink water from the soil, helping them grow healthy and happy.
10. : Do earthworms help make soil hard or soft?
    • Answer: Earthworms make the soil soft, like a fluffy pillow for plants to grow in.
11. : Why do farmers like earthworms?
    • Answer: Farmers like earthworms because they help grow healthy crops, which can be sold for money.
12. : Where can earthworms be found besides in the soil?
    • Answer: Earthworms can sometimes be found in water drainage in bathrooms or kitchens.
13. : Do earthworms eat dead leaves?
    • Answer: Yes, earthworms eat dead leaves and help them decay faster to make soil better for plants.
14. : How do earthworms water the soil?
    • Answer: Earthworms release moisture in the soil, like when we sprinkle water on our garden to help plants grow.
15. : What color are most earthworms?
    • Answer: Most earthworms are gray reddish in color, like tiny rainbows in the soil.

1. Revision of Previous Topic:
   • The teacher revises the previous lesson about earthworms and their importance to farmers.
2. Introduction of New Topic:
   • The teacher introduces the new topic: “Importance of Earthworms to Farmers.”
   • The teacher explains that earthworms help farmers in many ways to grow healthy crops.
3. Allowing Pupil Contributions:
   • The teacher encourages pupils to share what they know about earthworms and their activities.
   • Pupils are given opportunities to ask questions and express their thoughts.
4. Teacher’s Activities:
   • The teacher shows pictures and samples of soil activities done by earthworms.
   • The teacher explains each activity and how it benefits farmers.
   • The teacher facilitates discussions and corrects misconceptions.
5. Learners Activities:
   • Pupils observe pictures and soil samples, identifying earthworm activities.
   • Pupils describe each activity and its importance to farmers.
   • Pupils participate in discussions and ask questions.

Assessment:

• The teacher assesses pupils’ understanding through questioning during the lesson.
• The teacher observes pupils’ participation and engagement in activities.

Evaluation Questions:

1. How do earthworms help make the soil wet?
2. What happens when earthworms mix dead leaves with soil?
3. Why is it important for air to flow in the soil?
4. What do earthworms help in the formation of?
5. How do earthworms help dead leaves decay faster?
6. What is humus and why is it important?
7. How do earthworms irrigate the soil?
8. Why is it important for soil to be loose?
9. What activities of earthworms benefit farmers?
10. Why do farmers like earthworms?

Conclusion:

• The teacher goes round to mark pupils’ work and provide feedback.
• The teacher ensures that pupils have a good understanding of the importance of earthworms to farmers.

Class Teacher and Pupils Activities. Interaction or Participation 

This involves class teacher and pupils’ interaction, conversation, imitation or modeling through discussion, play method or just by recitation or asking and answering questions that are related to the topic that has just been taught.

Evaluation

Answer the following questions with either true or false

1. Is the earthworm slender?
2. Is the earthworm slim like indomie noodles?
3. Do earthworms live in wet places?
4. Are earthworms’ farmers enemies?
5. Are earthworms’ farmers friends?
6. Is the earthworm a friend to the banker
7. Do earthworms make holes or burrows in the soil
8. Do earthworms live on trees
9. do birds eat earthworms
10. Do earthworms eat birds

Previous Lesson

Farmer’s Friends The Earthworms Importance and Usefulness To Farmers

Next Lesson 

The Diagram of an Earthworm