Procedure for crop production Agricultural Science Primary 5 First Term Week 3
Agricultural Science Primary 5 First Term Lesson Notes Week 3
Subject: Agricultural Science
Class: Primary 5
Term: First Term
Week: 3
Age: 9 years
Topic: Procedures for Crop Production
Sub-topic: Pre-planting Activities and Operations
Duration: 40 minutes
Behavioural Objectives: By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
- Outline the procedures for cultivating crops.
- Identify pre-planting activities.
- Carry out pre-planting operations on the farm.
Keywords: Crop production, Pre-planting activities, Cultivation procedures, Farm operations
Set Induction:
The teacher will begin by showing pupils some farming tools and asking if they know what these tools are used for. This will lead into a discussion on the steps involved in preparing a farm for planting.
Entry Behaviour:
Pupils are familiar with basic gardening or farming practices and have seen or used simple farming tools before.
Learning Resources and Materials:
- Farming tools (hoe, cutlass, rake)
- Charts showing stages of crop production
- Seeds for demonstration
Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:
The teacher will connect the lesson to previous topics on types and classification of crops, emphasizing the importance of proper preparation before planting.
Embedded Core Skills:
- Critical thinking
- Practical skills
- Observation
Learning Materials:
- Agricultural Science Textbook
- Farming tools (hoe, cutlass, rake)
- Seeds
- Whiteboard and marker
Reference Books:
- Lagos State Scheme of Work
- Primary 5 Agricultural Science Textbook
Instructional Materials:
- Charts illustrating pre-planting activities
- Real farming tools
- Seeds for planting
Content:
1. Procedures for Crop Production:
- Step 1: Land Clearing: Removing weeds, bushes, and any unwanted plants from the farmland using tools like a cutlass or hoe.
- Step 2: Land Tilling: Breaking and turning the soil using a hoe or plough to prepare it for planting.
- Step 3: Manuring: Adding organic or inorganic fertilizers to the soil to improve its fertility.
- Step 4: Seed Selection: Choosing healthy seeds or seedlings for planting.
- Step 5: Planting: Sowing the seeds or transplanting seedlings into the soil.
2. Pre-planting Activities:
- Land Clearing: Clearing the farm of weeds, stones, and debris.
- Soil Tilling: Ploughing or digging the soil to improve aeration and make it easier for roots to grow.
- Manuring: Adding fertilizers to enrich the soil.
- Seed Testing: Checking the seeds for viability and quality before planting.
- Marking the Field: Creating rows or holes for planting seeds or seedlings.
3. Carrying Out Pre-planting Operations:
- Clearing the Land: Pupils will practice clearing a small area of the school garden using simple tools like hoes and cutlasses.
- Tilling the Soil: Pupils will take turns tilling the soil to prepare it for planting.
- Manuring: Pupils will learn how to apply organic manure or fertilizers to the soil.
Questions:
- The first step in crop production is _______.
- a) Manuring
- b) Land clearing
- c) Harvesting
- _______ involves breaking and turning the soil.
- a) Planting
- b) Tilling
- c) Weeding
- Adding fertilizers to the soil is called _______.
- a) Manuring
- b) Harvesting
- c) Land clearing
- Choosing healthy seeds for planting is known as _______.
- a) Planting
- b) Seed selection
- c) Weeding
- _______ is the process of removing weeds and debris from the farm.
- a) Land clearing
- b) Harvesting
- c) Tilling
- Before planting, it is important to _______ the soil.
- a) Harvest
- b) Till
- c) Sow
- Soil tilling helps to improve soil _______.
- a) Aeration
- b) Hardness
- c) Wetness
- _______ is used to enrich the soil before planting.
- a) Water
- b) Manure
- c) Seeds
- Seed _______ ensures that only viable seeds are planted.
- a) Harvesting
- b) Testing
- c) Selection
- The final step before planting is usually _______ the field.
- a) Clearing
- b) Marking
- c) Tilling
- Using a hoe to dig the soil is part of the _______ process.
- a) Manuring
- b) Tilling
- c) Clearing
- _______ is a tool used for clearing land.
- a) Hoe
- b) Rake
- c) Cutlass
- Applying organic fertilizers is part of _______.
- a) Seed selection
- b) Manuring
- c) Weeding
- Making rows for planting is called _______ the field.
- a) Marking
- b) Clearing
- c) Tilling
- The last activity before planting is _______.
- a) Land clearing
- b) Seed testing
- c) Marking the field
Class Activity Discussion
- Q: What is the first step in crop production?
A: The first step is land clearing, where weeds and debris are removed from the farm. - Q: Why is soil tilling important?
A: Soil tilling helps to break and loosen the soil, making it easier for roots to grow and improving soil aeration. - Q: What is manuring?
A: Manuring is the process of adding organic or inorganic fertilizers to the soil to improve its fertility. - Q: What tools are commonly used for land clearing?
A: Common tools include the cutlass and hoe. - Q: How do you select seeds for planting?
A: Seeds are selected based on their health, viability, and suitability for the environment. - Q: What does it mean to mark the field?
A: Marking the field involves creating rows or holes in the soil where seeds or seedlings will be planted. - Q: Why is seed testing important?
A: Seed testing ensures that only viable and healthy seeds are planted, which increases the chances of a good harvest. - Q: What is the purpose of adding manure to the soil?
A: Manure adds essential nutrients to the soil, enhancing its fertility and supporting plant growth. - Q: What are the benefits of tilling the soil before planting?
A: Tilling improves soil structure, increases aeration, and makes it easier for plants to establish roots. - Q: Can you name a pre-planting activity besides land clearing?
A: Another pre-planting activity is manuring, where fertilizers are added to the soil. - Q: What is the role of a hoe in farming?
A: A hoe is used for digging, tilling, and sometimes for weeding. - Q: Why is it important to clear the land before planting?
A: Clearing the land removes weeds and debris, which can compete with crops for nutrients and space. - Q: How does marking the field help in planting?
A: Marking the field helps in organizing the planting process, ensuring even spacing and alignment of crops. - Q: What should be done after tilling the soil?
A: After tilling, the soil may be manured and then marked for planting. - Q: What is the final step before planting seeds?
A: The final step is marking the field to prepare it for planting.
Presentation:
Step 1: The teacher introduces the topic by discussing the steps involved in preparing a farm for planting, emphasizing the importance of each step.
Step 2: The teacher explains the pre-planting activities in detail, demonstrating the use of farming tools and the process of soil preparation.
Step 3: The teacher guides pupils in practicing pre-planting operations, such as land clearing, tilling, and marking the field in a designated area of the school garden.
Teacher’s Activities:
- Explain and demonstrate the procedures for crop production.
- Show pupils how to use farming tools for land clearing, tilling, and marking.
- Supervise pupils as they practice pre-planting operations.
Learners’ Activities:
- Listen attentively to the explanation of pre-planting activities.
- Participate in hands-on activities, using tools to clear land, till soil, and mark the field.
- Ask questions and engage in discussions about crop production procedures.
Assessment:
- Pupils will complete the fill-in-the-blank questions provided during the lesson.
- The teacher will assess pupils’ understanding through oral questions and practical demonstrations.
Evaluation Questions:
- What is the first activity in the crop production process?
- Why is tilling the soil important before planting?
- What does manuring involve?
- Name two tools used for clearing land.
- How do you test seeds before planting?
- What is the purpose of marking the field?
- What should be done after clearing the land?
- Describe the importance of seed selection.
- What is the last step before planting seeds?
- How does applying manure help the soil?
Conclusion:
The teacher will go around to check pupils’ work, provide feedback, and correct any misunderstandings about the procedures for crop production.