Class: Primary 3
Term: 1st Term
Week: 9
Age: 8 years
Duration: 40 minutes
Subject: Pre Vocational Studies
Curriculum Theme: Agricultural Science
Previous Lesson: How To Raise Ornamental Plants
Topic: Raising Seedlings In The Nursery
Content/Learning Area: Transplanting, Weeding, Manuring.

Performance Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain: Define seedling and nursery and state the steps in raising seedlings.
Affective Domain: Appreciate the importance of caring for seedlings in the nursery.
Psychomotor Domain: Demonstrate simple acts of transplanting and weeding.
Social Domain: Work cooperatively in groups during practical activities.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
Abuja Educational Resource Centre Scheme of Work
NAPPS National Unified Scheme of Work
Online information from: Wikipedia – Seedling
Relevant Textbooks

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Pictures or charts showing nursery beds and seedlings
Samples of young seedlings in containers or polythene bags
Hoe, watering can, and small hand fork
Manure (compost or farmyard manure)
Blackboard and chalk

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important because it helps pupils understand how to raise seedlings in the nursery and prepare them for better growth in the farm or garden.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have seen young plants around their homes and school garden and can identify how plants grow from seeds.

Lesson Content

Raising Seedlings in the Nursery

Seedlings are young plants that grow from seeds. A nursery is a small place where seedlings are first raised before being moved to the main farm.

Transplanting: Transplanting means moving seedlings from the nursery to the main farm or garden. It helps the plants to grow well in a larger space.

The following are steps in transplanting:

Water the nursery before uprooting seedlings
Uproot seedlings gently without damaging the roots
Prepare holes on the farm before planting
Plant seedlings carefully in the holes
Press the soil gently around the plant
Water the seedlings immediately after transplanting

Weeding: Weeding is the removal of unwanted plants that grow around seedlings. Weeds compete with crops for food, water, and sunlight.

The following are methods of weeding:

Hand pulling of weeds
Using hoe to remove weeds
Slashing weeds with cutlass
Mulching to suppress weeds

Manuring: Manuring means adding natural or artificial materials to the soil to help plants grow better. Manure adds nutrients to the soil.

The following are types of manure:

Farmyard manure
Compost manure
Green manure
Artificial fertilizers

Teaching Methods

Discussion, Lecture, Explanation, Demonstration, Group Work, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

To deliver this lesson, the teacher will adopt the following steps:

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 mins
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: Teacher shows seedlings in containers and asks pupils what they are called and where they are grown.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe, identify and respond.
Learning Point: Pupils recall knowledge of seedlings and nursery.

Step 2: Meaning of Nursery and Seedlings

Time: 5 mins
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: Teacher explains the meaning of seedlings and nursery with examples.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and repeat meanings.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the meaning of seedlings and nursery.

Step 3: Transplanting

Time: 7 mins
Teaching Skill: Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: Teacher demonstrates how to uproot seedlings gently and plant them on the farm.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe and practice in groups.
Learning Point: Pupils learn correct steps in transplanting.

Step 4: Weeding

Time: 7 mins
Teaching Skill: Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: Teacher explains why weeding is important and shows different tools used for weeding.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils mention tools and methods of weeding.
Learning Point: Pupils know methods of weeding.

Step 5: Manuring

Time: 6 mins
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: Teacher explains what manure is and shows samples of farmyard manure and compost.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe, touch samples and state uses.
Learning Point: Pupils learn types and importance of manure.

Step 6: Note Taking

Time: 3 mins
Teaching Skill: Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: Teacher dictates or writes short notes on the board for pupils to copy.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils write notes in their books.
Learning Point: Pupils have correct notes for study.

Step 7: Evaluation

Time: 4 mins
Teaching Skill: Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: Teacher asks pupils questions from the lesson.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally.
Learning Point: Teacher checks pupils’ understanding.

Objective-aligned checks:

Define seedling and nursery and state the steps in raising seedlings.
Demonstrate simple acts of transplanting and weeding.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 3 mins
Teaching Skill: Instructional/Cognitive Closure
Teacher’s Activity: Teacher reviews main points and encourages pupils to care for plants at home.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and share experiences.
Learning Point: Pupils appreciate the importance of raising seedlings.

Home Task: List four lesson examples connected with Raising Seedlings In The Nursery and add one correct use, step or safety rule.

Lesson Keywords

Seedling: A young plant growing from a seed
Nursery: A place where seedlings are raised before transplanting
Transplanting: Moving seedlings from the nursery to the main farm
Weeding: Removing unwanted plants from the farm
Manure: Natural or artificial material added to soil for plant growth

Lesson Evaluation

To evaluate the learning, the teacher asks pupils to:

Define a seedling and a nursery.
Mention three steps in transplanting seedlings.
List two methods of weeding.
State two types of manure.
Explain why weeding is important.

Differentiation

Teacher will use simple language, pictures, and practical demonstrations to help all learners, while advanced pupils can be asked to demonstrate steps of transplanting.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Encourage pupils to participate actively in practical demonstrations. Ensure that tools used are safe for children. Relate the lesson to their environment for better understanding.