Flower Maintenance for Primary School: Watering, Pruning & Soil Care

Lesson Plan: Maintenance of Flowers

Subject: Agricultural Science

Class: Primary 4
Term: Second Term
Week: Week 10
Age: 9-10 years
Topic: Maintenance of Flowers
Sub-topic: Ways to Maintain Flowers
Duration: 40 Minutes

Behavioral Objectives

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

1. Understand what maintenance of flowers means.
2. Learn how to take care of flowers (watering, placing in a sunny spot, using good soil, and pruning).
3. Identify different types of flowers and their specific care needs.

Keywords

• Maintenance
• Watering
• Pruning
• Soil
• Sunlight

Set Induction

• Begin the lesson by showing pictures of different types of flowers.
• Ask pupils if they can name any of the flowers and discuss what these flowers need to stay healthy.
• Engage pupils by asking questions like, “What do you think flowers need to grow well?”

Entry Behavior

• Pupils are familiar with the concept of plants and basic gardening.
• They know how to care for basic plants but may not know the specifics of flower care.

Learning Resources and Materials

• Pictures of different types of flowers
• Watering can or hose
• Soil
• Fertilizer or compost
• Pruning shears
• Whiteboard and markers

Building Background / Connection to Prior Knowledge

• Pupils have been introduced to gardening and basic plant care in previous lessons.
• They are familiar with the need for water, sunlight, and soil for plant growth.

Embedded Core Skills

• Communication and Collaboration: Pupils will discuss flower maintenance in groups.
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Pupils will learn to assess flower care needs and decide on appropriate actions.
• Leadership Skills and Personal Development: Pupils will lead discussions in groups and share their findings.
• Creativity and Imagination: Pupils will engage in activities like planting and caring for flowers at home.
• Citizenship: Pupils will learn to care for plants and contribute to beautifying their environment.

Learning Materials

• Pictures of different types of flowers
• Soil and compost
• Watering can
• Pruning shears
• Whiteboard markers

Reference Books

• Lagos State Scheme of Work for Agricultural Science
• “Agricultural Science for Primary Schools” (Relevant Textbooks)

Instructional Materials

• A whiteboard
• Pictures of flowers
• Watering can
• Pruning tools
• Flower pots with flowers (for demonstration)

Content Development: Maintenance of Flowers

1. What is Maintenance of Flowers?
   • Maintenance of flowers means taking care of them so they stay healthy and beautiful. This includes ensuring they get the right amount of water, sunlight, good soil, and regular pruning.
2. Key Steps for Maintaining Flowers:
   • Watering: Flowers need water to survive. Some flowers need more water than others, so it’s important to know the specific needs of each flower.
     • Example: Sunflowers need a lot of water, while cacti need very little water.
   • Sunlight: Most flowers need sunlight to grow, but the amount of sunlight they need varies.
     • Example: Marigolds require a lot of sunlight, while impatiens can grow in the shade.
   • Soil: Flowers need good soil to grow strong. Soil that is rich in nutrients is best. You can also add compost or fertilizer to improve poor soil.
     • Example: Roses thrive in rich soil, while succulents can survive in poor soil.
   • Pruning: Pruning involves cutting off dead or damaged parts of the flower to keep it healthy and looking good.
     • Example: Cutting off dead rose branches allows the plant to focus on growing new healthy branches.

Evaluation

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions

1. Flowers need ______ to survive.
   a) Sunlight
   b) Water
   c) Soil
   d) All of the above
2. Some flowers need more ______ than others.
   a) Water
   b) Soil
   c) Sunlight
   d) Pruning
3. ______ is necessary for a flower to grow.
   a) Water
   b) Light
   c) Soil
   d) All of the above
4. ______ is rich in nutrients that help flowers grow strong and healthy.
   a) Sand
   b) Poor soil
   c) Fertilizer
   d) Good soil
5. ______ means cutting off parts of the flower that are dead or damaged.
   a) Watering
   b) Pruning
   c) Planting
   d) Fertilizing
6. ______ can be added to poor soil to make it better.
   a) Water
   b) Sand
   c) Compost
   d) Air
7. ______ can cause a flower to wilt and die.
   a) Overwatering
   b) Sunlight
   c) Pruning
   d) Fertilizing
8. ______ needs a lot of sunlight to grow.
   a) Impatiens
   b) Marigold
   c) Cactus
   d) Sunflower
9. ______ can grow in the shade.
   a) Sunflower
   b) Rose
   c) Impatiens
   d) Marigold
10. Watering, placing in a sunny spot, and using good soil can help a flower grow ______ and healthy.
    a) Fast
    b) Big
    c) Strong
    d) Beautiful

Class Activity Discussion: FAQs

1. What is pruning and why is it important?
   Pruning is the act of cutting off dead or damaged parts of the plant. It is important because it helps the plant grow healthy and stronger.
2. How much water do flowers need?
   Different flowers need different amounts of water. For example, sunflowers need a lot of water, while cacti need very little.
3. Can flowers grow in the shade?
   Yes, some flowers like impatiens can grow in the shade, while others like marigolds need a lot of sunlight.
4. What is good soil for flowers?
   Good soil is rich in nutrients that help flowers grow strong. You can improve poor soil with compost or fertilizer.
5. What happens if flowers get too much water?
   Overwatering can cause flowers to wilt and die because the roots can’t breathe properly.
6. Why should we prune flowers?
   Pruning helps remove dead parts of the flower, allowing the plant to focus on new, healthy growth.
7. What do you do if your flower is not growing well?
   Check if the flower is getting enough water, sunlight, and if the soil is good. Adjust care as needed.
8. How can we protect flowers from pests?
   Keep the area around the flowers clean and prune any damaged parts to avoid attracting pests.
9. Do flowers need sunlight?
   Yes, most flowers need sunlight to grow well, but some need more than others.
10. Can you grow flowers indoors?
    Yes, many flowers can grow indoors if they receive enough sunlight and are taken care of properly.
11. How do you know when to water flowers?
    You can check the soil by sticking your finger in it. If it feels dry, it’s time to water.
12. How often should flowers be pruned?
    Flowers should be pruned regularly, especially after they bloom or when you see dead branches.
13. What flowers can grow in poor soil?
    Succulents are examples of flowers that can grow in poor soil.
14. What’s the best time of day to water flowers?
    Early morning or late evening is the best time to water flowers to avoid evaporation.
15. What are the signs that a flower needs more sunlight?
    A flower may lean toward the light or have weak, spindly growth if it needs more sunlight.

Teacher’s Activities

• The teacher introduces the topic and provides visual aids (flower pictures).
• The teacher demonstrates proper flower care (watering, pruning).
• The teacher facilitates group discussions and answers questions.

Learners’ Activities

• Pupils participate in class discussions.
• Pupils demonstrate flower care practices in small groups (watering, pruning).
• Pupils share experiences of caring for flowers at home.

Assessment: Evaluation Questions

1. What is maintenance of flowers?
2. Why do flowers need water?
3. What are the four things needed to take care of flowers?
4. What is pruning and why is it necessary?
5. Which flower needs a lot of sunlight?
6. What happens if you overwater a flower?
7. How can you improve poor soil for flowers?
8. Why is good soil important for flowers?
9. Which flower needs a lot of water?
10. How do you know when to prune flowers?

Conclusion

• The teacher reviews key points: watering, sunlight, soil, and pruning.
• Pupils can ask questions and share experiences.
• Teacher marks pupils’ notes and provides feedback on the lesson.