- Class: Primary 5
- Term: 1st Term
- Week: 3
- Age: 10 years
- Duration: 40 minutes
- Subject: Pre Vocational Studies
- Curriculum Theme: Agricultural Science
- Previous Lesson: How To Grow Crops
- Topic: How To Grow Crops
- Content: Preparation Of Nursery Beds and Sowing
Performance Objectives:
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain: Explain the steps involved in preparing nursery beds.
Affective Domain: Appreciate the importance of proper crop growth and care.
Psychomotor Domain: Demonstrate how to prepare a nursery bed and sow seeds correctly.
Social Domain: Collaborate with peers in group activities during practical demonstration.
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 RNGR – Bed Preparation, Seed Sowing, and Early Seedling Growth
- Relevant Textbooks
Instructional Materials:
The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:
- Samples of soil types (sandy, loamy, clay)
- Hand trowels
- Seedlings or seeds
- Watering cans
- Wooden pegs or sticks
- Rakes
Rationale for the Lesson:
Understanding how to prepare nursery beds and sow seeds is crucial for successful crop growth. It equips pupils with practical skills in agriculture, which are essential for food production and sustainability in their communities.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge:
Pupils have basic knowledge of crops and have seen or participated in simple gardening activities at home or school.
INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES:
Learning Area: How To Grow Crops – Preparation Of Nursery Beds and Sowing
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 (Set induction) | 5 mins | Discussion | Visual aid | Introduces the topic and shows pictures of nursery beds. | Observe and share ideas on nursery beds. | Pupils understand what a nursery bed is. |
| Step 2: Explanation of Nursery Bed Preparation | 10 mins | Direct Instruction | Demonstration | Explains the steps involved in preparing a nursery bed. | Listen attentively and ask questions. | Pupils learn the steps to prepare a nursery bed. |
| Step 3: Demonstration of Sowing | 10 mins | Demonstration | Hands-on Activity | Demonstrates how to sow seeds in the prepared nursery bed. | Participate in the demonstration. | Pupils learn how to correctly sow seeds. |
| Step 4: Group Activity | 10 mins | Group Work | Collaboration | Organizes pupils into groups to prepare a nursery bed and sow seeds. | Work in groups to prepare nursery beds. | Pupils practice nursery bed preparation. |
| Step 5: Note Taking | 5 mins | Dictation/Explanation | Visual aid | Guides pupils in copying notes. | Copy notes into their exercise books. | Pupils have written knowledge to refer to. |
| Step 6: Evaluation | 5 mins | Questioning | Recap | Asks questions based on the lesson. | Answer questions and participate in discussion. | Pupils assess their understanding of the lesson. |
| Step 7: Conclusion | 2 mins | Recap | Summary | Summarizes the lesson and gives homework. | Listen and note down homework. | Pupils reflect on the key points learned. |
Lesson Content
How To Grow Crops; Preparation Of Nursery Beds and Sowing
To grow crops successfully, there is need to start by preparing a proper nursery bed. A nursery bed is a small, prepared area where seeds are planted and grown until they are strong enough to be transplanted to the main field.
Preparation Of Nursery Beds:
- Choose a suitable location: The nursery bed should be located in an area with good sunlight and drainage.
- Prepare the soil: Clear the area of weeds and debris. Loosen the soil using a rake or hoe to a fine texture. If necessary, add compost or manure to improve soil fertility.
- Mark the bed: Use wooden pegs or sticks to mark the bed’s boundaries, usually about 1 meter wide and any convenient length.
- Level the soil: Use a rake to make the soil surface even and remove any large clods of earth.
- Create rows: Use a stick or the edge of a hoe to make shallow furrows in the soil where seeds will be sown.
Sowing:
- Sow the seeds: Place the seeds in the furrows, spacing them evenly according to the crop’s requirements.
- Cover the seeds: Gently cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil, ensuring they are not buried too deep.
- Water the bed: Water the nursery bed lightly, ensuring that the soil is moist but not waterlogged.
- Protect the bed: If necessary, cover the bed with a light material like straw to protect the seeds from birds and strong sunlight.
Lesson Evaluation:
To evaluate the learning, the teacher asks pupils to:
- What is a nursery bed?
- List the steps involved in preparing a nursery bed.
- Describe how to sow seeds in a nursery bed.
- Why is it important to prepare the soil before sowing seeds?
- How can you protect the seeds after sowing?
