Understanding Bush Burning: Causes, Effects, and Prevention Basic Science JSS 3 First Term Lesson Notes Week 5

Subject: Basic Science

Class: JSS 3

Term: First Term

Week: 1

Age: 13-14 years

Topic: Bush Burning

Sub-topic: Understanding the Causes, Effects, and Prevention of Bush Burning

Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioral Objectives:

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

1. Define bush burning.
2. Explain the reasons for bush burning.
3. Identify the negative effects of bush burning.
4. Suggest ways to prevent bush burning.

Keywords:

• Bush Burning
• Vegetation
• Construction
• Livestock
• Agriculture

Set Induction:

Start the lesson by asking the students if they have ever seen or heard of bush burning in their environment. Encourage them to share their thoughts on why people might burn bushes.

Entry Behavior:

Students should already be familiar with farming and hunting practices in their community.

Learning Resources and Materials:

• Pictures or videos showing instances of bush burning
• Chart showing effects of bush burning on the environment

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:

Link the concept of bush burning to activities like farming, hunting, and clearing land for construction, which students might have observed in their surroundings.

Core Skills:

• Observation
• Critical thinking
• Environmental awareness

Instructional Materials:

• Textbooks
• Audio-visual aids (e.g., video on bush burning)
• Local case studies

Content:

1. Definition of Bush Burning:
   • Bush burning is the act of setting fire to vegetation, often done for agricultural or land-clearing purposes.
2. Reasons for Bush Burning:
   • Agriculture (e.g., clearing land for planting)
   • Hunting (e.g., driving animals out of hiding)
   • Construction (e.g., clearing land for roads, schools, and buildings)
   • Social/Cultural practices (e.g., rituals)
   • Pest and disease control (e.g., clearing weeds and disease-causing organisms)
3. Effects of Bush Burning:
   • Environmental degradation (e.g., loss of soil nutrients)
   • Air pollution (e.g., smoke affects air quality)
   • Destruction of wildlife habitat
   • Increased risk of wildfires
4. Prevention of Bush Burning:
   • Educating the public on the dangers of bush burning
   • Using alternative methods for land clearing, such as mechanized farming
   • Implementing laws against uncontrolled bush burning

Evaluation

1. Bush burning is the act of setting fire to ______.
   a) water
   b) vegetation
   c) roads
   d) buildings
   Answer: b) vegetation
2. Farmers burn bushes to clear land for ______.
   a) buildings
   b) planting
   c) water
   d) cooking
   Answer: b) planting
3. One reason for bush burning is ______ hunting.
   a) commercial
   b) cultural
   c) road
   d) domestic
   Answer: a) commercial
4. A common reason for bush burning is to remove ______ from the land.
   a) water
   b) trees
   c) vegetative cover
   d) animals
   Answer: c) vegetative cover
5. Bush burning is often done to remove weeds and ______ organisms.
   a) food
   b) shelter
   c) disease-causing
   d) water-borne
   Answer: c) disease-causing
6. Uncontrolled bush burning can lead to the loss of ______.
   a) soil nutrients
   b) water supply
   c) trees
   d) crops
   Answer: a) soil nutrients
7. Air pollution caused by bush burning is due to ______.
   a) wind
   b) smoke
   c) sunlight
   d) rain
   Answer: b) smoke
8. One negative effect of bush burning is the destruction of ______.
   a) roads
   b) houses
   c) wildlife habitat
   d) rivers
   Answer: c) wildlife habitat
9. Bush burning is sometimes used as part of ______ rituals.
   a) cultural
   b) medical
   c) sports
   d) domestic
   Answer: a) cultural
10. The risk of ______ increases with bush burning.
    a) droughts
    b) wildfires
    c) storms
    d) rain
    Answer: b) wildfires
11. Educating the public can help ______ bush burning.
    a) promote
    b) prevent
    c) encourage
    d) increase
    Answer: b) prevent
12. Instead of bush burning, farmers can use ______ methods to clear land.
    a) manual
    b) alternative
    c) dangerous
    d) harsh
    Answer: b) alternative
13. Bush burning can affect the ______ of air.
    a) sound
    b) quality
    c) density
    d) smell
    Answer: b) quality
14. One way to prevent bush burning is to use ______ methods of farming.
    a) traditional
    b) mechanized
    c) slow
    d) harmful
    Answer: b) mechanized
15. Laws should be implemented to prevent ______ bush burning.
    a) uncontrolled
    b) structured
    c) monitored
    d) safe
    Answer: a) uncontrolled

Class Activity Discussion

1. What is bush burning?
   Answer: Bush burning is the act of setting fire to vegetation, often for farming, hunting, or clearing land.
2. Why do farmers burn bushes?
   Answer: Farmers burn bushes to clear land for planting crops and to remove weeds.
3. What are the effects of bush burning on the environment?
   Answer: Bush burning can cause environmental degradation, loss of soil nutrients, air pollution, and destruction of wildlife habitats.
4. How does bush burning affect wildlife?
   Answer: Bush burning destroys the habitats of animals, forcing them to relocate or perish.
5. Can bush burning cause wildfires?
   Answer: Yes, uncontrolled bush burning can lead to wildfires, which can spread and cause widespread damage.
6. Why do some cultures practice bush burning?
   Answer: In some cultures, bush burning is part of rituals or celebrations.
7. What alternatives can be used instead of bush burning?
   Answer: Alternatives include mechanized farming, manual clearing, and controlled farming methods.
8. Is bush burning dangerous to humans?
   Answer: Yes, bush burning can release smoke that pollutes the air, and uncontrolled fires can threaten human lives and property.
9. How can we prevent bush burning?
   Answer: We can prevent bush burning by educating the public, using alternative methods of land clearing, and enforcing laws against it.
10. Does bush burning help in controlling pests?
    Answer: Yes, some farmers burn bushes to control pests and disease-causing organisms, but it is not the safest method.

Presentation Steps:

Step 1: Revising the previous topic

• Review the concept of land use and its importance in agriculture and construction.

Step 2: Introducing the new topic

• Explain what bush burning is and why it is practiced in some areas.

Step 3: Allowing students to contribute

• Ask students to share other reasons they think people burn bushes and discuss their thoughts.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Explain bush burning and its effects using pictures and videos.
• Ask probing questions to encourage discussion.

Learners’ Activities:

• Participate in class discussions.
• Answer questions about the causes and effects of bush burning.

Assessment:

1. Define bush burning.
2. List two reasons why people practice bush burning.
3. Name two effects of bush burning on the environment.
4. Suggest one way to prevent bush burning.

Evaluation Questions:

1. What is bush burning?
2. Why do farmers burn bushes?
3. How does bush burning affect animals?
4. What are some cultural reasons for bush burning?
5. How can we prevent bush burning?
6. What happens to soil nutrients after bush burning?
7. Why is air quality affected by bush burning?
8. Mention one negative impact of bush burning on wildlife.
9. List an alternative to bush burning for land clearing.
10. What can be done to educate people about the dangers of bush burning?

Conclusion:

Recap the key points of the lesson and emphasize the importance of protecting the environment from the negative effects of bush burning. End the lesson by asking students to think of alternative ways to clear land without burning bushes.

10 More Evaluation Questions:

1. What is one economic reason for bush burning?
   Answer: Bush burning is often done to clear land for farming or construction.
2. How does bush burning help hunters?
   Answer: It helps hunters by driving animals out of hiding, making them easier to catch.
3. What is the impact of bush burning on soil fertility?
   Answer: Bush burning reduces soil fertility by destroying nutrients.
4. Why might farmers burn bushes to control weeds?
   Answer: Burning removes unwanted plants and helps prepare the land for cultivation.
5. What is one health risk associated with bush burning?
   Answer: The smoke from bush burning can cause respiratory issues and pollute the air.
6. How does bush burning affect water bodies?
   Answer: It can lead to the contamination of nearby water sources through ash and debris.
7. In what way can bush burning lead to desertification?
   Answer: Continuous burning of vegetation can degrade the land, making it dry and unproductive.
8. How do some cultures justify bush burning?
   Answer: Some cultures practice bush burning as part of their rituals and celebrations.
9. What are some government policies that can prevent bush burning?
   Answer: Strict regulations, fines, and public awareness campaigns can help prevent bush burning.
10. Why should alternative methods be used instead of bush burning?
    Answer: Alternatives such as mechanized farming are more sustainable and safer for the environment.

Conclusion:

To conclude the lesson, emphasize the importance of adopting sustainable land-clearing methods. While bush burning may seem convenient, its harmful effects on the environment and health outweigh the benefits. Encourage students to advocate for environmental protection in their communities by educating others on the dangers of bush burning and promoting safer alternatives.

Lastly, remind the students of the laws in place against uncontrolled bush burning and the need for everyone to work together to prevent environmental degradation.

More Useful Links

• Understanding Basic Science: FAQs on Soil Erosion, Family Traits, Deforestation, Desertification, and Bush Burning