Protecting Our Water and Air: Understanding Pollution Basic Science Primary 5 First Term Lesson Notes Week 9

Lesson Plan Presentation: Basic Science Primary 5 First Term

Subject: Basic Science
Class: Primary 5
Term: First Term
Week: 9
Age: 9 years
Topic: Environmental Changes
Sub-topic: Water and Air Pollution
Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioural Objectives:

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

1. Formulate a definition of pollution.
2. Explain how water and air can be polluted and their effects on people and the environment.
3. Enumerate sources of water and air pollution.
4. Outline ways of preventing and controlling water and air pollution.

Keywords:

• Pollution
• Water Pollutants
• Air Pollutants
• Sources
• Effects
• Prevention

Set Induction:

The teacher will show pictures of polluted water bodies and smoky air to the pupils and ask them what they observe.

Entry Behaviour:

Pupils have likely encountered dirty water or smoky air in their surroundings and might be aware that these are harmful.

Learning Resources and Materials:

• Pictures or charts showing polluted water and air
• Samples of clean and dirty water
• Demonstration materials for showing air pollution (e.g., burning paper)
• Chart of pollutants and their sources

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:

The teacher will connect the lesson to previous discussions on waste disposal and its effects on the environment.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Environmental awareness
• Critical thinking
• Collaboration
• Communication

Learning Materials:

• Basic Science Textbook for Primary 5
• Notebooks
• Writing materials

Reference Books:

• Lagos State Scheme of Work
• Basic Science Textbook for Primary 5

Instructional Materials:

• Charts showing sources and effects of water and air pollution
• Samples of pollutants (e.g., plastic bottles, oil, smoke)
• Writing board for group discussions

Content:

1. Meaning of Pollution:
   • Pollution is the introduction of harmful substances or pollutants into the environment, which can cause damage to living organisms and the natural surroundings.
2. Water and Air Pollutants:
   • Water Pollutants: Chemicals, plastics, oil spills, sewage, and industrial waste.
   • Air Pollutants: Smoke, dust, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and other harmful gases.
3. Sources of Water and Air Pollution:
   • Sources of Water Pollution: Factories releasing waste into rivers, oil spills, improper waste disposal, agricultural runoff.
   • Sources of Air Pollution: Emissions from vehicles, factories, burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and open burning.
4. Effects of Water and Air Pollution:
   • Water Pollution Effects: Contaminated drinking water, death of aquatic life, diseases like cholera and dysentery.
   • Air Pollution Effects: Respiratory problems, acid rain, global warming, and damage to the ozone layer.
5. Prevention and Control of Water and Air Pollution:
   • Water Pollution Prevention: Proper waste disposal, treating industrial waste before releasing into water bodies, avoiding oil spills, using eco-friendly products.
   • Air Pollution Prevention: Using clean energy sources, reducing vehicle emissions, reforestation, and reducing the use of harmful chemicals.

Evaluation:

Fill in the blanks with the correct options (a, b, c, or d).

1. ______ is the introduction of harmful substances into the environment.
   a) Recycling
   b) Pollution
   c) Composting
   d) Conservation
2. One example of a water pollutant is ______.
   a) Clean air
   b) Plastic
   c) Trees
   d) Wind
3. ______ is a source of air pollution.
   a) Forests
   b) Smoke from vehicles
   c) Clean rivers
   d) Rainwater
4. Air pollution can cause ______ problems in people.
   a) Digestive
   b) Respiratory
   c) Hearing
   d) Vision
5. To prevent water pollution, we should ______ industrial waste before releasing it into rivers.
   a) Burn
   b) Treat
   c) Ignore
   d) Dump
6. One of the effects of water pollution is ______.
   a) Growth of plants
   b) Clean drinking water
   c) Death of aquatic life
   d) Fresh air
7. ______ can help reduce air pollution.
   a) Burning more coal
   b) Using solar energy
   c) Deforestation
   d) Increasing vehicle emissions
8. Oil spills are a major source of ______ pollution.
   a) Air
   b) Water
   c) Land
   d) Noise
9. Reforestation can help control ______ pollution.
   a) Land
   b) Water
   c) Noise
   d) Air
10. The burning of fossil fuels contributes to ______.
    a) Clean air
    b) Global warming
    c) Ozone formation
    d) Water purification

Class Activity Discussion:

1. What is pollution?
2. List two common pollutants of water.
3. What are the sources of air pollution?
4. How can polluted water affect our health?
5. What are some effects of air pollution?
6. How can we prevent water pollution in our community?
7. What steps can we take to reduce air pollution?
8. Why is it important to prevent pollution?
9. How does deforestation contribute to air pollution?
10. What can you do to help reduce pollution in your surroundings?

Presentation:

Step 1:
The teacher revises the previous topic on waste disposal and introduces the new topic on pollution.

• Ask pupils to describe what they know about pollution and share any personal experiences with polluted water or air.

Step 2:
The teacher introduces the new topic as follows:

• Explain that today’s lesson will focus on understanding pollution, its sources, effects, and how we can prevent it.

Step 3:
The teacher allows the pupils to give their own contributions and the teacher corrects the pupils when and where necessary.

• Pupils discuss in pairs the different sources of water and air pollution and list their effects.
• Facilitate small group discussions where pupils brainstorm ways to prevent and control pollution.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Guide pupils in defining pollution.
• Explain how water and air can be polluted and discuss their effects.
• Encourage pupils to think of ways to prevent and control pollution.

Learners’ Activities:

• Participate in defining pollution.
• Discuss and list sources of water and air pollution.
• Work in pairs to explain the effects of pollution.
• Engage in group discussions to find ways to prevent pollution.
• Present their ideas to the class.

Evaluation Questions:

1. What is pollution?
2. List three sources of water pollution.
3. How does air pollution affect human health?
4. Why is it important to prevent water pollution?
5. What are some ways to reduce air pollution?
6. Give an example of a water pollutant.
7. What happens to aquatic life when water is polluted?
8. How can planting trees help reduce air pollution?
9. What is the role of factories in causing pollution?
10. What can individuals do to help prevent pollution?

Conclusion:

The teacher goes around to assess the pupils’ group discussions and written ideas. The teacher emphasizes the importance of preventing pollution to protect our environment and health.