Simple Farm Tools: Definitions, Uses, and Examples

Subject: Agricultural Science
Class: Primary 3
Term: Second Term
Week: 4 & 5
Age (in years): 8-9 years
Topic: Farm Tools
Sub-topic: Simple Farm Tools
Duration: 40 minutes

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Define simple farm tools.
2. List some examples of simple farm tools.
3. State the description of some farm tools.

Keywords:

• Farm tools
• Hoe
• Cutlass
• Spade
• Pickaxe
• Hand fork
• Watering can
• Secateurs
• Sickle
• Hammer

Set Induction:

• Teacher’s Introduction:
  Begin by asking pupils about the tools they see being used in farms or at home to work on plants or crops. Show images of various tools and let the pupils guess their uses. This will engage them in the topic and activate their prior knowledge.

Entry Behavior:

• Pupils should be familiar with basic farm activities and tools from previous classes.

Learning Resources and Materials:

• Scheme of work
• 9-Year Basic Education Curriculum
• Online resources (for images and descriptions of farm tools)

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:

• Pupils are likely familiar with some farm tools from home or the community. Building on their experiences will help them relate to new concepts about these tools.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Observation
• Classification
• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Critical thinking

Learning Materials:

• Pictures of farm tools (cutlass, hoe, spade, watering can, etc.)
• Charts showing various simple farm tools and their uses

Reference Books:

• Lagos State Scheme of Work for Agricultural Science
• 9-Year Basic Education Curriculum (Agricultural Science)

Instructional Materials:

• Charts and pictures
• Real-life examples of farm tools (if available)

Content Breakdown:

Farm Tools:

Farm tools are instruments used in the farm to aid in farm work and make tasks easier. Some common farm tools include the cutlass, hoe, wheelbarrow, shovel, and axe.

Description of Simple Farm Tools:

1. Pick Axe:
   • A long wooden handle with a double-headed metal blade.
   • One end is pointed for digging, and the other is flat for breaking hard soil.
   • Used to break up hard soil and dig roots.
2. Hand Fork:
   • Looks like a kitchen fork but is bigger, with a short wooden or metal handle and four prongs.
   • Used for mixing manure into the soil, breaking the surface for air and water, and removing weeds.
3. Hand Trowel:
   • A boat-shaped curved metal blade with a short handle.
   • Used for transplanting seedlings, applying fertilizer, mixing soil, and light weeding.
4. Sickle:
   • A curved metal blade attached to a short wooden handle.
   • Used to harvest crops like rice, wheat, and barley, or to pluck fruits and grasses.
5. Hammer:
   • A heavy metal head attached to a straight wooden or metal handle.
   • Used for driving nails, straightening bent tools, or removing nails.
6. Mallet:
   • Similar to a hammer but made entirely of wood.
   • Used for hitting wooden pegs without damaging them.
7. Secateurs:
   • Two metal blades, one concave and one convex, joined together at a point with two short metal handles.
   • Used for trimming flowers and pruning branches.
8. Shears:
   • Enlarged scissors with long blades, connected by a bolt and nut.
   • Used for trimming hedges, shrubs, and ornamental plants.
9. Watering Can:
   • Made of galvanized iron or synthetic rubber.
   • Used for watering plants and applying liquid fertilizers.
10. Cutlass:
    • A flat, long metal blade with a short wooden or plastic handle.
    • Used to clear bushes, harvest crops, plant melon, and transplant seedlings.
11. Hoe:
    • A metal blade attached to either a short curved or long handle.
    • Used for tilling the soil, harvesting crops, and weeding.
12. Spade:
    • A rectangular flat blade attached to a cylindrical handle.
    • Used for digging, mixing soil, and leveling grounds.

Strategies & Activities:

Step 1:

• Teacher Revises Previous Topic:
  Briefly go over the last lesson, asking pupils what they remember about the tools and their uses.

Step 2:

• Teacher Introduces the New Topic:
  Introduce the new topic, “Simple Farm Tools,” by explaining the importance of farm tools in everyday farming activities.

Step 3:

• Teacher Explains the New Topic:
  Go through each tool listed above, using pictures and real-life examples where possible. Ask the pupils if they have used or seen these tools being used before.

Step 4:

• Teacher Welcomes Pupils’ Questions:
  Allow pupils to ask questions, and clarify any confusion.

Step 5:

• Teacher Evaluates the Pupils:
  Conduct a short assessment to gauge pupils’ understanding of the topic.

Assessment & Evaluation:

1. Define simple farm tools.
2. List some examples of simple farm tools.
3. State the description of some farm tools.

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions:

1. The __________ is used for breaking hard soil. (a) Hand Trowel (b) Pick Axe (c) Hoe)
2. __________ are used for trimming flowers and pruning branches. (a) Secateurs (b) Shears (c) Hammer)
3. A __________ is used to harvest crops like rice and wheat. (a) Hoe (b) Sickle (c) Watering Can)
4. The __________ is used for digging holes and making trenches. (a) Spade (b) Hammer (c) Hoe)
5. __________ are used to apply water to plants. (a) Cutlass (b) Watering Can (c) Secateurs)
6. The __________ is used for mixing manure into the soil. (a) Hand Trowel (b) Hoe (c) Pick Axe)
7. The __________ is a pair of long scissors used to trim trees. (a) Mallet (b) Shears (c) Hammer)
8. The __________ is used to drive nails into wood. (a) Mallet (b) Hammer (c) Pick Axe)
9. The __________ is made of metal and is used for breaking soil. (a) Hoe (b) Pick Axe (c) Hand Fork)
10. The __________ is used to prune shrubs and trees. (a) Secateurs (b) Sickle (c) Cutlass)

Class Activity Discussion:

1. What is a hand fork used for?
   • A hand fork is used for mixing manure, breaking soil, and removing weeds.
2. What are secateurs used for?
   • Secateurs are used to trim flowers and prune branches.
3. Can a sickle be used for harvesting crops?
   • Yes, the sickle is used to harvest crops like rice, wheat, and barley.
4. How do you recognize a spade?
   • A spade has a long rectangular blade attached to a cylindrical handle.
5. What is the function of a watering can?
   • It is used to water plants and apply liquid fertilizers.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Explains the topic clearly.
• Uses pictures and charts for illustration.
• Encourages pupils’ participation through questions.
• Provides answers and corrections when necessary.

Learners’ Activities:

• Listen attentively.
• Answer questions.
• Ask questions when they need clarification.

Evaluation Questions:

1. Define simple farm tools.
2. List five examples of simple farm tools.
3. Explain the use of a hoe.
4. What does a watering can look like, and what is its use?
5. Describe a spade and its function.
6. What is the main use of a pickaxe?
7. How can you use a hand trowel in farming?
8. What tools can be used for harvesting crops?
9. What is the difference between shears and secateurs?
10. Why do we use a sickle in farming?

Conclusion:

• The teacher goes around to mark the work and provides feedback to the pupils.
• Review the key points of the lesson to ensure understanding.

Assignment:

1. Define simple farm tools.
2. List 10 examples of simple farm tools.
3. Describe:
   • How a watering can is used.
   • How a cutlass is used.
   • How a pick axe is used.