Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS 1)
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 7
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Block Laying, Brick Laying and Concrete Work
Curriculum Theme: Entrepreneurship (Trade Subjects)
Previous Lesson: Concreting Tools and Equipment Identification.
Topic: USES OF CONCRETING TOOLS AND EQUIPMENTS
Subject Matter: practical uses of concreting tools, handling of concreting equipment
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain:
- Identify common concreting tools.
- State the uses of various concreting tools.
- List safety precautions when handling concreting equipment.
Affective Domain:
- Appreciate the importance of proper tool handling and maintenance.
- Show care in using and storing concreting tools.
Psychomotor Domain:
- Demonstrate the correct handling of selected concreting tools.
- Select appropriate tools for specific concreting tasks.
Social Domain:
- Collaborate with peers during practical identification and handling activities.
Reference Materials
The following resources were used in planning this lesson:
- 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for Senior Secondary Schools.
- State Unified Scheme of Work for Senior Secondary Schools.
- Basic Technology for Senior Secondary Schools Book 1.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example1
- https://www.example.com/concreting-tools
Instructional Materials
The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:
- Live concreting tools (e.g., shovel, trowel, wheelbarrow).
- Charts showing different concreting tools and their names.
- Whiteboard/Blackboard and markers/chalk.
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson helps pupils to understand the correct tools needed for concreting work and how to use them safely. Knowing the right tools and their uses enables pupils to perform practical concreting tasks effectively and avoid accidents.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils have basic knowledge of simple hand tools used in other practical subjects.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
USES OF CONCRETING TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
Introduction to Concreting Tools
Concreting tools are instruments used in the process of mixing, placing, compacting, and finishing concrete. Proper use of these tools ensures quality concrete work.
Common Concreting Tools and their Uses
The following are common concreting tools and their uses:
- Shovel: Used for mixing concrete ingredients, scooping, and moving concrete.
- Wheelbarrow: Used for transporting mixed concrete and other materials around the worksite.
- Concrete Mixer: A machine used for thorough and efficient mixing of cement, aggregates, and water to produce concrete.
- Trowel (e.g., Steel Trowel, Wood Float):
- Steel Trowel: Used for smoothing, finishing, and levelling concrete surfaces to achieve a fine finish.
- Wood Float: Used for levelling, compacting, and bringing cement paste to the surface before final finishing.
- Screed Board/Straight Edge: Used for striking off excess concrete to achieve a level and even surface.
- Tamper: Used for compacting freshly laid concrete to remove air voids and achieve density.
- Measuring Box/Bucket: Used for accurate measurement of concrete ingredients (cement, sand, gravel).
- Watering Can/Hose: Used for adding water to the concrete mix and for curing concrete.
- Hand Gloves and Safety Boots: Personal protective equipment for safety during concrete work.
Proper Handling and Maintenance of Concreting Equipment
Proper handling and maintenance of concreting tools and equipment are important for their longevity and user safety. The following are key points:
- Always use the right tool for the right job.
- Clean tools thoroughly after each use to prevent concrete from hardening on them.
- Store tools in a dry place to prevent rust.
- Inspect tools for damage before use and report any faulty equipment.
- Wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) like gloves and safety boots.
- Handle sharp or heavy tools with care to avoid injury.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and reviews the previous lesson. The teacher then asks pupils to mention some tools they know that are used in building. The teacher introduces the topic, “Uses of Concreting Tools and Equipment.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions and listen attentively.
Learning Point: Pupils are prepared for the new lesson.
Step 2: Presentation of Concreting Tools
Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Identification
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays various concreting tools (live tools or charts) and names them one by one. The teacher asks pupils to identify some of the tools.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the tools, listen to their names, and attempt to identify them.
Learning Point: Pupils identify common concreting tools.
Step 3: Explanation of Uses
Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the specific use of each tool, demonstrating how some are handled where possible (e.g., how to hold a trowel, how to use a screed board). The teacher also highlights safety precautions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to explanations, observe demonstrations, and ask questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils state the uses of various concreting tools and understand safety precautions.
Step 4: Practical Identification and Usage
Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Practical Application
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher allows pupils to come forward, pick a tool, name it, and briefly explain its use or demonstrate its handling. The teacher guides and corrects as needed.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils actively participate by identifying tools and demonstrating basic handling.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate correct handling of selected tools and select appropriate tools.
Step 5: Discussion on Handling and Maintenance
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Facilitation/Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on the importance of proper handling and maintenance of concreting tools, asking pupils how they would care for tools after use.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute to the discussion, offering ideas on tool care and maintenance.
Learning Point: Pupils appreciate the importance of tool maintenance and show care in handling.
Step 6: Summary of Key Points
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher quickly summarizes the main points of the lesson, reiterating the names of tools, their uses, and handling tips.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and note down key points.
Learning Point: Pupils recall the main aspects of the lesson.
Step 7: Evaluation/Review
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:
- Identify any four concreting tools.
- State the use of a steel trowel and a wheelbarrow.
- Mention two reasons why proper handling of concreting tools is important.
- Describe how to maintain a shovel after use.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.
Step 8: Conclusion
Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Consolidation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their participation and assigns homework: “Draw and label any three concreting tools, stating their uses.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils write down the homework assignment.
Learning Point: The lesson is concluded, and pupils have a task to reinforce learning.
Lesson Keywords
- Concreting – The process of preparing and using concrete.
- Shovel – A tool with a broad scoop, used for digging and moving loose materials.
- Trowel – A small hand tool with a flat, pointed blade, used for spreading and smoothing mortar or concrete.
- Screed Board – A long, straight piece of wood or metal used to level and smooth concrete surfaces.
- Wheelbarrow – A small hand-propelled vehicle with a single wheel, used for carrying loads.
- Concrete Mixer – A device that homogeneously combines cement, aggregate such as sand or gravel, and water to form concrete.
Differentiation
For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, they can be asked to research other specialized concreting tools. For those who need more support, the teacher will provide additional one-on-one guidance during practical identification and handling, using simplified language and more visual cues.
Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Ensure all safety precautions are strictly followed when demonstrating or allowing pupils to handle live tools. Emphasize the practical relevance of each tool. Encourage active participation and provide constructive feedback to pupils during practical activities.

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