• Class: Primary 3
  • Term: 2nd Term
  • Week: 1
  • Age: 8 years
  • Period:
  • Duration: 40 minutes
  • Date:
  • Subject: Basic Science Technology
  • Curriculum Theme: Basic Science
  • Topic: Plants As Living Things
  • Content: Characteristics of living things: MR-NIGER -D (Movement, Reproduction,Nutrition, Irritability, Growth,Excretion, Respiration, Death.)

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

  • Cognitive Domain: Define and list the characteristics of living things.
  • Affective Domain: Appreciate the importance of living things in the environment.
  • Psychomotor Domain: Demonstrate understanding by categorizing objects as living or non-living.
  • Social Domain: Participate in group discussions on the characteristics of living things.

Reference Materials:

  • 9 – Years Basic Education Curriculum
  • Abuja Educational Resource Centre Scheme of work
  • NAPPS National Unified Scheme of Work
  • Online Information
  • Textbooks

Instructional Materials:

  • Pictures of living and non-living things
  • Charts illustrating MR-NIGER -D
  • Whiteboard and markers

Rationale for the Lesson:
Understanding the characteristics of living things is fundamental as it forms the basis for appreciating the complexity of the natural world and our environment.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge:
Students should have basic knowledge of the environment and some understanding of the difference between living and non-living things.

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES:

Content Development:Characteristics Of Living Things

ContentTimeTeaching MethodTeaching StrategyTeacher’s ActivityPupils’ ActivityLearning Point
Introduction 5 minsDiscussionQuestion and AnswerAsk pupils if they know what makes plants alive.Respond to questions and express ideas.Understanding the importance of the topic.
Characteristics of Living Things 10 minsExplanationDirect InstructionPresent the MR-NIGER -D acronym and explain each characteristic.Listen and take notes.Define characteristics of living things.
Social Activities 10 minsGroup DiscussionCollaborative LearningDivide pupils into groups. Discuss and list social activities related to living things.Participate in group discussions.Recognize social aspects of living things.
Categorization Activity 5 minsDemonstrationGuided DiscoveryShow pictures of various objects. Guide pupils to categorize as living or non-living.Categorize objects individually.Demonstrate understanding through categorization.
Note taking 5 minsNote-TakingIndependent LearningGuide pupils to summarize key points in their notebooks.Take notes and summarize key information.Summarize and reinforce learning through note-taking.
Evaluation3 minsQuestion and AnswerOral QuizAsk questions related to the characteristics of living things.Respond to questions individually.Assess understanding through oral questions.
Conclusion 2 minsRecapReinforcementSummarize the lesson, emphasizing the importance of understanding living things.Share one thing they’ve learned.Reinforce the importance of the topic.

Classroom Note:

Living Things

Living things are things that possess the characteristics of life, which include the ability to move, reproduce, obtain and use energy, respond to stimuli, grow, respire and experience a life cycle that involves death.

Characteristics of Living Things

  1. Movement:
    • Living things can move independently or exhibit internal movements within their bodies.
  2. Reproduction:
    • Living things can produce offspring or new individuals of their own kind.
  3. Nutrition:
    • Living things obtain and use energy through processes like eating, absorbing, or photosynthesizing.
  4. Irritability:
    • Living things can respond to stimuli or changes in their environment.
  5. Growth:
    • Living things undergo a process of increasing in size or developing over time.
  6. Excretion:
    • Living things eliminate waste products from their bodies.
  7. Respiration:
    • Living things exchange gases, typically taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide.
  8. Death:
    • All living things have a finite lifespan, and death is a natural part of their life cycle.

Evaluation:

  1. What are living things?
  2. List three characteristics of living things.
  3. Explain the importance of social activities among living things.

Note to Teachers:
Customize the lesson content, teaching methods, and pupil activities to suit your teaching style, curriculum, and available resources.