Effects of climate change and simple actions to care for the environment for Primary 1

Class: Primary 1
Term: Third Term
Week: 7
Age: 6 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Social and Citizenship Studies
Curriculum Theme: Environment and Sustainability
Focal competence: Reducing waste, conserving water and reusing materials
Key competencies/values: ICT and Digital Competencies; Environmental Literacy
Skills:

• Planting of trees to mitigate the impact of climate change
• Engaging in recycling sorting activities to manage waste

Previous Lesson: Climate Change and Its Causes
Topic: Climate Change And The Environment: Care Actions
Subject Matter: Effects of climate change, simple actions to care for the environment

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Identify simple effects of climate change.

Psychomotor Domain

• Demonstrate an action that helps the environment.
• Carry out a simple supervised tree-planting or equivalent curriculum care action.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of caring for the environment.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• Social and Citizenship Studies for Primary 1, Pupil’s Book
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Pictures showing effects of climate change (e.g., dry land, flood, very hot sun)
• Pictures showing environmental care actions (e.g., sweeping, planting, saving water)
• Real items for waste sorting (e.g., plastic bottle, paper, food wrapper)
• Small plant pots, soil, and seeds/seedlings (optional, for plant-care activity)
• Chart paper for class discussion

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important because it introduces young pupils to the concept of climate change and its visible effects in a simple way. It empowers them by showing that even small children can take actions to protect their environment. Understanding these concepts early helps to build responsible citizens who care for the planet.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils should have basic knowledge of their immediate environment and how to keep their surroundings clean.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Climate Change And The Environment: Care Actions

What is Climate Change?

Climate change means that the weather is changing in many places. Sometimes it is too hot, sometimes there is too much rain (flood), and sometimes there is not enough rain (drought).

Simple Effects of Climate Change

Climate change can make things bad for us and the environment. Some simple effects are:

1. Too much heat from the sun.
2. Too much water (flooding).
3. Not enough water (dry land).
4. Plants and animals can get sick or die.

Simple Actions to Care for the Environment

We can all do simple things to help take care of our environment. These actions help to make our world a better place:

1. Keeping surroundings clean: Always sweep our homes and school compounds. Put dirt in the dustbin.
2. Protecting plants and trees: Plant new trees and water them. Do not cut down trees or pull out plants.
3. Avoiding waste: Do not throw rubbish on the ground. Put waste in the right bins (e.g., paper in one bin, plastic in another).
4. Saving water and energy: Turn off taps after use. Switch off lights and fans when leaving a room.
5. Reusing materials: Use things like plastic bottles or paper again if they are clean.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Explanation, Observation, Practical Activity.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Activating Prior Knowledge

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them to name some things they see in their environment (e.g., trees, cars, houses, dustbin). The teacher then asks what they do to keep their home or school clean.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils greet the teacher and name things in their environment. They share simple actions they take to keep places clean.

Learning Point: Awareness of environment

Step 2: Introduction to Climate Change Effects

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows pictures of climate change effects (e.g., very hot sun, dry land, flood). The teacher explains in simple terms what climate change is and its effects, linking them to the pictures.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the pictures and listen to the teacher’s explanation. They may share if they have seen any of these effects.

Learning Point: Simple effects of climate change

Step 3: Discuss Keeping Surroundings Clean

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Discussion/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses the importance of keeping surroundings clean. The teacher demonstrates how to properly dispose of waste using a dustbin and explains why it is important not to burn waste unnecessarily.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the discussion and observe the demonstration. They promise to always put waste in the dustbin.

Learning Point: Importance of cleanliness

Step 4: Discuss Protecting Plants and Trees

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Engagement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains why plants and trees are important (e.g., they give us fresh air, food). The teacher discusses actions like planting trees and not cutting them down. If materials are available, the teacher demonstrates how to care for a small plant (e.g., watering).

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and ask questions. They may participate in a simple plant-care demonstration.

Learning Point: Protecting plants and trees

Step 5: Discuss Avoiding Waste and Saving Resources

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Questioning

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher talks about avoiding waste and saving water and energy. The teacher asks pupils how they can save water (e.g., turning off taps) and energy (e.g., switching off lights).

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils share ideas on how to save water and energy. They listen to the teacher’s explanation on reusing materials.

Learning Point: Saving water and energy

Step 6: Practical Activity: Waste Sorting/Plant Care

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to sort reusable materials (e.g., plastic bottles, paper) into different containers or supervises a simple plant-care activity (e.g., watering a plant, putting soil in a pot). The teacher reinforces that these are actions to care for the environment.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils actively participate in the waste sorting or plant-care activity under the teacher’s guidance.

Learning Point: Demonstrating environmental care

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. Name one simple effect of climate change.
2. Mention one way we can care for our environment.
3. What should you do with rubbish after sweeping?
4. Why is it good to plant trees?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Understanding care actions

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to copy the essential Board Summary notes on simple effects of climate change and care actions into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson points

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Consolidation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly reminds pupils that taking care of the environment is everyone’s job, even theirs. The teacher encourages them to practice the care actions they learned at home and in school.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and affirm their commitment to caring for the environment.

Learning Point: Environmental responsibility reinforcement

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Draw and colour one action you can do to care for the environment at home or in school.

1. Draw a picture of yourself putting rubbish in a dustbin.
2. Draw a picture of yourself watering a plant.
3. Draw a picture of yourself turning off a tap.

Lesson Keywords

• Climate change – When the weather changes a lot, like getting too hot or having too much rain.
• Environment – All the things around us, like air, water, land, plants, and animals.
• Waste – Things we throw away, like rubbish or dirt.
• Planting – Putting seeds or small plants into the ground to grow.
• Recycle – To use old things again to make new things, like plastic bottles or paper.

Differentiation

For weaker learners, the teacher will provide more one-on-one guidance during the practical activity and simplify explanations further. For faster learners, the teacher can ask them to identify more examples of waste that can be recycled or to suggest other ways to save energy at home.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding, search on YouTube for: Primary 1 climate change for kids Nigeria

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, gather relevant pictures showing both the effects of climate change (e.g., drought, flood) and positive environmental actions (e.g., sweeping, planting trees, turning off taps). Prepare real items for a waste-sorting activity (e.g., clean plastic bottle, old newspaper, food wrapper) or materials for a simple plant-care activity if you choose that option. Begin by linking to pupils’ existing knowledge of their surroundings. Explain climate change effects using simple, age-appropriate language and the prepared visuals. Emphasise that everyone, even young children, can make a difference. Guide pupils through the practical activity, ensuring safety and active participation. During note-taking (Step 8), supervise pupils as they copy the Board Summary, ensuring they write legibly. Conclude by reinforcing the importance of environmental care and encouraging pupils to practice these actions daily.