- Class: Primary 5
- Term: 2nd Term
- Week: 3
- Age: 10 years
- Duration: 40 minutes
- Subject: Pre-Vocational Studies
- Curriculum Theme: Agricultural Science
- Previous Lesson: Problems Of Weeds To Farmers
- Topic: Biological Control Of Crop Weeds, Pests And Diseases
- Content: Biological Control Of Crop Weeds, Pests And Diseases
Performance Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
- Cognitive domain: Define biological control and list examples of organisms used for biological control.
- Affective domain: Appreciate the importance of using natural methods to control pests and weeds.
- Psychomotor domain: Demonstrate how biological control is implemented on a sample farm.
- Social domain: Discuss the benefits of biological control to farmers during group work.
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 – Biological pest control
- Relevant Textbooks
Instructional Materials
The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:
- Charts showing common crop pests and their natural predators.
- Live samples of natural predators (e.g., ladybugs, praying mantises).
- A small model farm setup to demonstrate biological control.
Rationale for the Lesson
Understanding biological control helps pupils recognize environmentally friendly ways of managing pests, weeds, and diseases, ensuring sustainable farming practices.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils are already familiar with the problems caused by weeds, pests, and diseases in farming, as discussed in the previous lesson.
Instructional Procedures
To deliver this lesson, the teacher will adopt the following steps:
| Content Development | Time | Teaching Method | Teaching Strategy | Teacher’s Activity | Pupils’ Activity | Learning Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1: Introduction | 5 mins | Set induction | Question and answer | Asks pupils to recall problems caused by pests and weeds. | Answer questions and share ideas. | Pests and weeds harm crops. |
| Step 2: Explanation | 10 mins | Lecture | Demonstration | Explains biological control with examples (ladybugs for aphids, etc.). | Listen attentively and observe materials. | Biological control uses natural means. |
| Step 3: Demonstration | 10 mins | Demonstration | Hands-on activity | Shows live samples and demonstrates how predators help control pests. | Watch and participate in setting up the demonstration farm. | Biological control in action. |
| Step 4: Note-taking | 5 mins | Guided writing | Note-taking | Guides pupils in copying key points on biological control. | Copy notes into their notebooks. | Summarized key points. |
| Step 5: Group Activity | 5 mins | Discussion | Collaborative learning | Divides pupils into groups to discuss the benefits of biological control. | Discuss within groups and share their conclusions. | Benefits of biological control. |
| Step 6: Evaluation | 3 mins | Oral questioning | Immediate feedback | Asks questions to evaluate pupils’ understanding of the topic. | Answer questions orally. | Retention of lesson objectives. |
| Step 7: Conclusion | 2 mins | Summarization | Recap | Summarizes the lesson and reiterates key points. | Listen and ask questions for clarity. | Key points reviewed. |
Lesson Content
Biological Control Of Crop Weeds, Pests And Diseases
Crops can be damaged by weeds, pests, and diseases, which reduces the farmer’s yield. Controlling them is essential to ensure healthy crops.
Biological control involves the use of natural organisms, such as predators, parasites, or pathogens, to control pests and weeds. This method is environmentally friendly and sustainable.
Examples of biological control methods:
- Predators: Ladybugs eat aphids that damage crops.
- Parasites: Wasps lay eggs in caterpillars, stopping them from eating crops.
- Pathogens: Fungi and bacteria that naturally kill weeds or pests.
Lesson Evaluation
To evaluate the learning, the teacher asks pupils to:
- Define biological control.
- Name two organisms used in biological control and the pests they control.
- Explain one benefit of biological control to farmers.
- List one example of how biological control is better than chemical control.
Note for Teachers Using This Lesson Plan
Be sure to use relatable examples when introducing biological control. If possible, provide real-life samples or videos for better engagement. Encourage pupils to share their own ideas on how biological control can be applied locally.
Happy teaching!
