Importance of Soil to Animals Basic Science Primary 3 Second Term Lesson Notes Week 10
Subject: Basic Science
Class: Primary 3
Term: Second Term
Week: 10
Topic: Importance of Soil to Animals, Animals that Live in the Soil, and Uses of Soil to Animals
Duration: 45 minutes
Entry Behaviour: Students should be able to identify some animals and their habitats.
Key Words: Soil, animals, importance, live, uses
Behavioural Objectives: By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
- Explain why soil is important to animals.
- Identify animals that live in the soil.
- Describe various uses of soil to animals.
Embedded Core Skills: Observation, classification, communication
Learning Materials:
- Textbook: Basic Science Primary 3
- Visual aids: Pictures of animals and soil samples
- Whiteboard and markers
- Worksheets
Reference Books: Lagos State Scheme of Work, Basic Science Primary 3 Textbook
Content:
Importance of Soil to Animals
- Habitat: Soil provides a home for many animals, like worms, ants, and beetles. 🏠
- Food Source: Some animals, such as rabbits and squirrels, find food in the soil, like roots and seeds. 🥕
- Protection: Soil can be a hiding place for animals, keeping them safe from predators. 🦡
- Breeding Ground: Many animals lay their eggs or give birth in the soil, where they can be safe until they hatch or grow. 🥚
- Nourishment: Soil contains nutrients that animals need to stay healthy and grow, like calcium for strong bones. 💪
- Water Source: Soil can hold water, providing a source of hydration for animals like birds and insects. 💧
- Temperature Regulation: Animals can burrow into the soil to escape extreme temperatures, staying cool in hot weather and warm in cold weather. 🌞❄️
- Oxygen Supply: Soil allows oxygen to reach the roots of plants, which in turn provide oxygen for animals through photosynthesis. 🌱🌬️
- Health: Clean soil helps animals avoid diseases and parasites that can harm them. 🦠
- Behavioral Patterns: Animals, such as dogs, cats, and birds, use soil for activities like digging, marking territory, and creating nests. 🐶🐱🦜
Animals that live in the Soil
- Earthworms: They burrow through the soil, aerating it and breaking down organic matter.
- Ants: They build intricate underground nests and forage for food within the soil.
- Beetles: Many species of beetles live in the soil, where they feed on plant material and other insects.
- Moles: These mammals dig tunnels in the soil to hunt for earthworms and other small animals.
- Gophers: They are rodents that live underground, creating extensive burrow systems in the soil.
- Groundhogs: Also known as woodchucks, they live in burrows dug in the soil and hibernate during the winter.
- Termites: While some species build above-ground mounds, many termites live in underground colonies.
- Nematodes: These microscopic worms live in the soil and can be both beneficial and harmful to plants.
- Grubs: The larval stage of beetles, grubs live in the soil and feed on plant roots.
- Snakes: Some snake species, like garter snakes, burrow into the soil to hibernate or lay eggs.
Living organisms in the soil
- Earthworms: 🪱 They burrow through the soil and help to aerate it.
- Ants: 🐜 They build intricate underground nests and colonies.
- Beetles: 🐞 Many beetle species live in the soil and feed on organic matter.
- Moles: 🦡 These mammals dig tunnels underground to find food.
- Gophers: 🌱 They create extensive burrow systems in the soil.
- Groundhogs: 🌿 Also known as woodchucks, they live in burrows dug in the soil.
- Termites: 🏠 While some build mounds above ground, many live in underground colonies.
- Nematodes: 🦠 These tiny worms live in the soil and can be beneficial or harmful to plants.
- Grubs: 🌱 The larval stage of beetles, they live in the soil and feed on plant roots.
- Snakes: 🐍 Some snake species burrow into the soil to hibernate or lay eggs.
Uses, Importance and Benefits of Soil to Animals
- Food Source: 🥕 Some animals, like earthworms and beetles, eat decaying plant matter in the soil.
- Habitat: 🏡 Many animals, including insects and rodents, build their homes in the soil to shelter from predators and harsh weather.
- Protection: 🛡️ Soil provides a protective cover for burrowing animals, keeping them safe from predators.
- Nesting Material: 🥚 Animals like birds and rodents use soil and mud to build their nests for laying eggs and raising their young.
- Camouflage: 🌿 Some animals, such as certain insects and reptiles, use soil to blend in with their surroundings, helping them hide from predators.
- Breeding Ground: 🐣 Soil can serve as a breeding ground for various animals, providing a suitable environment for reproduction and development.
- Navigation: 🗺️ Animals like ants and termites use soil to create scent trails or underground tunnels to navigate their environment.
- Protection from Heat: 🌞 Some animals burrow into the soil to escape the heat of the sun during hot weather.
- Water Source: 💧 Soil can hold moisture, providing a source of water for animals living in or near it.
- Territorial Marking: 🚩 Some animals use soil to mark their territory with scent or visual cues, signaling their presence to others.
Evaluation
- Soil is important to animals because it provides ____________.
a) Food
b) Shelter
c) Water
d) Air - Animals such as earthworms and beetles are examples of ____________.
a) Land animals
b) Water animals
c) Soil animals
d) Air animals - Animals that build their homes in the soil are called ____________.
a) Burrowers
b) Flyers
c) Swimmers
d) Climbers - Soil can protect animals from ____________.
a) Rain
b) Predators
c) Heat
d) All of the above - Birds and rodents use soil and mud to build ____________.
a) Nests
b) Caves
c) Webs
d) Holes - Soil provides a source of ____________ for animals.
a) Food
b) Energy
c) Water
d) Light - Some animals use soil to ____________ with their surroundings.
a) Hide
b) Fight
c) Fly
d) Swim - Soil can serve as a breeding ground for ____________.
a) Plants
b) Insects
c) Birds
d) Mammals - Animals like ants and termites use soil to create ____________.
a) Tunnels
b) Nests
c) Webs
d) Holes - Soil can protect animals from the ____________ of the sun.
a) Cold
b) Heat
c) Wind
d) Rain - Soil can hold ____________ for animals living in or near it.
a) Air
b) Food
c) Water
d) Light - Some animals use soil to mark their ____________.
a) Territory
b) Friends
c) Enemies
d) Homes - Soil is important to animals because it provides ____________.
a) Shelter
b) Air
c) Light
d) Sound - Animals that build their homes in the soil are called ____________.
a) Flyers
b) Burrowers
c) Swimmers
d) Climbers - Birds and rodents use soil and mud to build ____________.
a) Nests
b) Webs
c) Caves
d) Tunnels
Presentation
- Revision: Recap the previous lesson on the meaning and importance of soil to plants.
- Introduction of New Topic: Explain the importance of soil to animals, animals that live in the soil, and uses of soil to animals.
- Teacher’s Activities:
- Present information about the importance of soil to animals using visual aids.
- Discuss different animals that live in the soil and their characteristics.
- Explain the various ways animals use soil for shelter, food, and protection.
- Learners’ Activities:
- Participate in discussions about the importance of soil to animals.
- Identify and discuss animals that live in the soil.
- Engage in activities to understand the uses of soil to animals.
- Assessment: Use worksheets and class discussions to assess students’ understanding of the topic.
- Evaluation:
- What is soil ?
- Name three animals that live in the soil.
- Mention two importance of soil to animals
- What do animals find in soil that helps them grow?
- Give an example of an animal that burrows in the soil.
- Write out two uses of soil to animals.
- How does soil protect animals from predators?
- Describe how birds use soil to build their nests.
- Why do animals like rabbits dig holes in the soil?
- Can you name one way soil helps animals stay healthy?
- Conclusion: Review the key points of the lesson and answer any questions from the students. Collect and review worksheets for assessment.
