Preventing Environmental Damage: Laws Against Bush Burning Basic Science JSS 3 First Term Lesson Notes

Regulations Against Bush Burning: Basic Science JSS 3 Lesson Note

Learn about the harmful effects of bush burning and the regulations in place to control it in this detailed Basic Science lesson for JSS 3.


Lesson Plan for Basic Science JSS 3

Subject: Basic Science

Class: JSS 3

Term: First Term

Week: 5

Age: 12–14 years

Topic: Regulations Against Bush Burning

Sub-topic: Effects and Control of Bush Burning

Duration: 40 minutes


Behavioral Objectives

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

  • Define bush burning.
  • List the harmful effects of bush burning.
  • Identify laws and regulations against bush burning.
  • Explain the roles of agencies in controlling bush burning.
  • Discuss alternative methods to bush burning.

Keywords

  • Bush Burning: The practice of setting fire to bushes and fields.
  • Regulation: Rules set by an authority to control certain activities.
  • Conservation: Protection and preservation of the environment.

Set Induction

The teacher will ask students to describe what happens during the dry season when people burn bushes and fields. Students will share their experiences, and the teacher will link this to today’s lesson.


Entry Behavior

Students already know the meaning of burning and some of its effects on the environment.


Learning Resources/Materials

  • Charts showing effects of bush burning.
  • Pictures of controlled and uncontrolled fires.
  • Textbooks.

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge

Students are aware of the traditional farming practices in rural areas, where bush burning is common. The teacher will build on this to introduce laws and regulations against this practice.


Embedded Core Skills

  • Critical Thinking
  • Problem-Solving
  • Environmental Awareness

Reference Books

  • Lagos State Scheme of Work for JSS 3 Basic Science
  • Basic Science Textbook for JSS 3

Instructional Materials

  • Pictures of bush burning.
  • Diagrams showing fire prevention methods.

Lesson Presentation

Step 1: Revising the Previous Topic

The teacher will ask the students about the last topic (e.g., effects of improper waste disposal) and briefly discuss how environmental degradation impacts both people and nature.

Step 2: Introducing the New Topic

The teacher will write the topic “Regulations Against Bush Burning” on the board and explain that it is illegal in many parts of Nigeria due to its harmful effects on the environment.

Step 3: Discussing the Effects of Bush Burning

The teacher will ask the students to mention some effects of bush burning. Responses may include:

  • Destruction of soil fertility.
  • Air pollution.
  • Loss of wildlife and vegetation.

The teacher will then explain that because of these reasons, governments at federal, state, and local levels have put regulations in place.

Step 4: Explaining Laws and Agencies Against Bush Burning

The teacher will explain that different government agencies enforce regulations to control bush burning. These include:

  • FEPA (Federal Environmental Protection Agency)
  • LASEPA (Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency)
  • NAFCON (National Forest Conservation Council of Nigeria)
  • FRIN (Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria)

Step 5: Control Methods and Alternatives

The teacher will discuss alternatives to bush burning, such as:

  • Providing modern land-clearing tools for farmers.
  • Using traps for hunting instead of setting bushes on fire.

Step 6: Class Discussion and Participation

The teacher will encourage students to share their thoughts on how bush burning can be controlled in their communities.


Teacher’s Activities

  • Ask students questions to assess their understanding.
  • Provide detailed explanations of key points.
  • Show charts and pictures to illustrate the topic.
  • Guide class discussions on the consequences of bush burning.

Learners’ Activities

  • Participate in discussions by sharing experiences.
  • Ask questions where clarification is needed.
  • Take notes and answer teacher’s questions.

Assessment

The teacher will ask the students the following questions to evaluate their understanding:

  1. What is bush burning?
  2. Mention two harmful effects of bush burning.
  3. Name any two agencies responsible for controlling bush burning.
  4. List one alternative method to bush burning for hunting animals.
  5. How does bush burning affect the environment?

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions

  1. Bush burning is the practice of setting fire to __________ and fields.
    a) houses
    b) bushes
    c) crops
    d) factories
  2. One harmful effect of bush burning is __________ pollution.
    a) soil
    b) water
    c) air
    d) noise
  3. Bush burning leads to the loss of __________.
    a) animals
    b) humans
    c) rocks
    d) gases
  4. An agency that regulates bush burning is __________.
    a) FEPA
    b) NAFDAC
    c) EFCC
    d) FRSC
  5. A forest conservation body in Nigeria is __________.
    a) NAFCON
    b) NNPC
    c) CBN
    d) FRIN
  6. The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency is abbreviated as __________.
    a) LASEPA
    b) LASESAR
    c) LASOPA
    d) LASG
  7. Bush burning can lead to the destruction of soil __________.
    a) fertility
    b) acidity
    c) alkalinity
    d) moisture
  8. The Federal Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for regulating __________ in Nigeria.
    a) environmental protection
    b) food safety
    c) traffic rules
    d) electricity supply
  9. One method of controlling bush burning is the use of __________ for hunting.
    a) fire
    b) traps
    c) machines
    d) water
  10. Bush burning can cause damage to both __________ and property.
    a) life
    b) rain
    c) clouds
    d) sun

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. What is bush burning?
    Bush burning is the practice of setting fire to bushes and fields.
  2. Why is bush burning dangerous?
    It is dangerous because it destroys vegetation, wildlife, and can cause soil erosion.
  3. Which agency regulates environmental protection in Nigeria?
    The Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) regulates environmental protection.
  4. What is the full meaning of FEPA?
    FEPA stands for Federal Environmental Protection Agency.
  5. What does LASEPA stand for?
    LASEPA stands for Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency.
  6. How does bush burning affect the soil?
    It destroys the soil’s fertility and causes erosion.
  7. What is an alternative to using bush burning for hunting?
    Trapping animals is a safer alternative to bush burning.
  8. What are the dangers of uncontrolled bush burning?
    It can destroy homes, farms, and even cause loss of life.
  9. How can the government help farmers avoid bush burning?
    By providing them with modern tools and machinery for clearing land.
  10. What is the main role of FRIN?
    FRIN is responsible for forest research and conservation in Nigeria.

Evaluation Questions

  1. Define bush burning.
  2. List three effects of bush burning on the environment.
  3. Name two government agencies that regulate bush burning.
  4. What does FEPA stand for?
  5. Why is it important to control bush burning?
  6. How can poor farmers be helped to avoid bush burning?
  7. Explain one method of hunting that does not involve bush burning.
  8. How does bush burning affect soil fertility?
  9. What role does LASEPA play in Lagos State?
  10. Mention two reasons why laws against bush burning are enforced.

Conclusion

The teacher will summarize the lesson by explaining that bush burning is harmful to the environment and human health. The government has set up laws and regulations to control it, and everyone must be aware of alternatives to this practice.


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