Agricultural Science Scheme of Work for Primary 4
The Agricultural Science Scheme of Work for Primary 4 is an educational framework designed to provide young learners with a comprehensive understanding of agricultural practices, concepts, and techniques. The scheme is organized into three terms, each focusing on distinct aspects of agricultural production and fostering a holistic appreciation for the vital role of agriculture in society.
First Term Agricultural Science Scheme of Work for Primary 4
In this initial term, students are introduced to the fundamental concept of agriculture and its significance. They are encouraged to define agriculture as the process of cultivating crops like corn, rice, guinea corn, and cassava. The teacher guides learners to comprehend the broader scope of agriculture, encompassing activities such as planting, rearing animals, processing agricultural products, and selling them. Learners engage in discussions and contribute their perspectives on the meaning of agriculture, further enhancing their comprehension.
The importance of agriculture in Nigeria is explored extensively in this term. Learners are guided through discussions about agriculture’s multifaceted role, including its contributions as a source of food, income generation, employment, and the provision of raw materials for industries. The teacher encourages students to list and describe the various ways agriculture impacts the community. Visual aids such as charts and pictures are employed to visually convey the significance of agriculture.
Read Also: Agricultural Science scheme of work For Primary 5
| WEEK | TOPIC | Contents | PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES | ACTIVITIES | TEACHING/LEARNING RESOURCES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Farming | – Basics of farming – Importance of farming | – Understand the concept of farming – Appreciate the importance of farming | – Classroom discussion on farming – Show pictures of farms and farmers | – Pictures of farms – Chalkboard and chalk |
| 2 | Types of Crops | – Categorizing crops – Common crops in Nigeria | – Identify different types of crops – Recognize common crops grown in Nigeria | – Group activity to categorize crops – Show pictures of common crops | – Pictures of various crops – Whiteboard and markers |
| 3 | Soil and Its Importance | – What is soil? – Importance of soil in farming | – Define soil and its functions – Explain why soil is vital for farming | – Soil texture experiment – Role-play to illustrate soil importance | – Soil samples – Role-play props |
| 4 | Planting Techniques | – Methods of planting – Seed sowing | – List planting methods – Demonstrate proper seed sowing | – Planting seeds in the school garden | – Seeds – Gardening tools |
| 5 | Crop Maintenance | – Weeding and watering – Pest control | – Describe crop maintenance practices – Understand the importance of weeding and pest control | – Practical weeding session – Discussion on pests and their control | – Gardening tools – Pictures of pests |
| 6 | Harvesting and Storage | – When to harvest – Storage methods | – Identify the right time to harvest – Learn about different storage methods | – Field trip to a local farm – Discuss storage techniques | – Transport for the field trip – Storage examples |
| 7 | Midterm Assessment | – Review of topics covered so far | – Evaluate the understanding of topics covered | – Midterm test | – Test papers – Pens |
| 8 | Farm Animals | – Types of farm animals – Their uses | – Identify different farm animals and their roles | – Show pictures of farm animals – Discussion on animal uses | – Pictures of farm animals – Whiteboard and markers |
| 9 | Importance of Farm Animals | – Role in farming – Caring for farm animals | – Explain the importance of farm animals – Learn how to care for them | – Role-play on animal care – Guest speaker on farming | – Props for role-play – Guest speaker presentation |
| 10 | Food from Farm Animals | – Products from farm animals – Processing food | – List products from farm animals – Understand food processing | – Show products from farm animals – Demonstrate food processing | – Samples of animal products – Food processing tools |
| 11 | Revision | – Review of all topics covered | – Prepare for upcoming examinations | – Group revision sessions | – Revision materials – Whiteboard and markers |
| 12 | Examination | – Assessment of all topics | – Evaluate the understanding of the subject matter | – Final examination | – Examination papers – Pens |
| 13 | Examination (Continued) | – Completion of the final examination | – Wrap up the examination process | – Final examination completion | – Examination materials – Pens |
Second Term Agricultural Science Scheme of Work for Primary 4
The second term of the scheme focuses on soil, a fundamental component of agricultural production. Students delve into the intricacies of soil, beginning with a definition of soil as the fine material that covers the Earth’s surface. Soil classification is introduced, with an emphasis on distinguishing between clayey, sandy, and loamy soil types. Learners actively participate in hands-on activities, feeling and observing soil samples to understand their physical properties.
The composition of soil is explored in detail, encompassing organic and mineral materials, microorganisms, soil air, and soil water. Learners engage in discussions about the role of each component in soil fertility. The factors that can lead to soil fertility reduction, such as burning, leaching, overgrazing, and erosion, are comprehensively discussed, enhancing students’ understanding of the complexities of soil management.
Methods of enriching soil fertility are introduced, including the addition of fertilizers, mulching, crop rotation, and leaving fallow. Learners not only gain theoretical knowledge but also participate in practical experiments, comparing fertile and non-fertile soil samples to observe the effects of enrichment techniques. This hands-on approach deepens their understanding of soil management practices.
| WEEK | TOPIC | Contents | PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES | ACTIVITIES | TEACHING/LEARNING RESOURCES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Soil Preparation | – Tools for soil preparation – Soil fertility | – Identify tools for soil preparation – Understand soil fertility | – Discussion on soil preparation tools – Soil fertility experiments | – Pictures of tools – Soil samples |
| 2 | Seed Selection and Storage | – Choosing quality seeds – Seed storage methods | – Learn how to select quality seeds – Understand seed storage | – Group activity for seed selection – Discussion on seed storage | – Samples of seeds – Storage examples |
| 3 | Crop Diseases | – Common crop diseases – Prevention and control | – Recognize common crop diseases – Learn preventive measures | – Display pictures of crop diseases – Discussion on prevention | – Pictures of crop diseases – Whiteboard and markers |
| 4 | Livestock Breeding | – Breeding farm animals – Crossbreeding | – Understand livestock breeding – Learn about crossbreeding | – Practical demonstration of breeding – Guest speaker on crossbreeding | – Props for demonstration – Guest speaker presentation |
| 5 | Farming in Different Climates | – Climates and agriculture – Adaptation | – Identify climates and their impact on farming – Learn adaptation techniques | – Discussion on climates and agriculture – Role-play on adaptation | – Maps showing different climates – Role-play props |
| 6 | Crop Harvesting Techniques | – Techniques for different crops – Harvesting tools | – Understand techniques for various crops – Identify harvesting tools | – Demonstrate crop harvesting techniques – Show pictures of tools | – Harvesting tools – Pictures of crops |
| 7 | Midterm Assessment | – Review of topics covered in the second term | – Evaluate understanding of topics covered | – Midterm test | – Test papers – Pens |
| 8 | Agro-processing | – Processing farm products – Importance of agro-processing | – Learn about agro-processing techniques – Understand its importance | – Agro-processing demonstration – Discussion on its benefits | – Agro-processing tools – Examples of processed products |
| 9 | Farm Management | – Farm planning – Record keeping | – Learn farm planning – Understand the importance of record keeping | – Farm planning exercise – Record keeping practice | – Farm planning templates – Record-keeping materials |
| 10 | Environmental Conservation | – Importance of conservation – Practices | – Understand the significance of environmental conservation – Learn conservation practices | – Group discussion on conservation – Environmental awareness campaign | – Visual aids for conservation – Campaign materials |
| 11 | Revision | – Review of all topics covered | – Prepare for upcoming examinations | – Group revision sessions | – Revision materials – Whiteboard and markers |
| 12 | Examination | – Assessment of all topics | – Evaluate the understanding of the subject matter | – Final examination | – Examination papers – Pens |
| 13 | Examination (Continued) | – Completion of the final examination | – Wrap up the examination process | – Final examination completion | – Examination materials – Pens |
Third Term Agricultural Science Scheme of Work for Primary 4
The third term of the scheme shifts the focus to agricultural tools and equipment. Students are introduced to a diverse range of farm tools, including cutting tools like cutlasses and sickles, digging tools like hoes and pickaxes, carrying tools such as baskets and wheelbarrows, and gathering tools like rakes. These tools are displayed in the classroom, and learners actively participate in discussions to identify and describe their uses.
Animal farm tools, such as fishing nets, traps, hooks, lines, baskets, and watering troughs, are explored in this term. Learners engage in activities that allow them to understand how these tools are used and their significance in agricultural practices. The concept of proper maintenance and care of farm tools is emphasized, with discussions on storing tools in dry places, cleaning and oiling them, and preventing rusting through proper maintenance practices.
Read Also: Agricultural Science scheme of work For Primary 6
| WEEK | TOPIC | Contents | PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES | ACTIVITIES | TEACHING/LEARNING RESOURCES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farm Irrigation | – Importance of irrigation – Irrigation methods | – Understand the importance of irrigation – Learn different irrigation methods | – Discussion on irrigation benefits – Practical demonstration of irrigation | – Pictures of irrigation methods – Irrigation tools |
| 2 | Farm Tools and Equipment | – Common farm tools – Proper use and maintenance | – Identify common farm tools – Learn how to use and maintain them | – Display farm tools – Practical session on tool usage | – Actual farm tools – Maintenance materials |
| 3 | Farm Safety | – Safety on the farm – First aid basics | – Understand farm safety measures – Learn basic first aid | – Farm safety discussion – First aid demonstration | – Safety signs – First aid kit |
| 4 | Agricultural Products | – Farm products and their uses – Value addition | – Identify various farm products and their applications – Learn value addition techniques | – Show farm products – Value addition demonstrations | – Samples of farm products – Value addition tools |
| 5 | Agribusiness | – What is agribusiness? – Opportunities in agribusiness | – Define agribusiness and its prospects – Explore opportunities | – Discussion on agribusiness – Guest speaker on agribusiness | – Visuals on agribusiness – Guest speaker presentation |
| 6 | Crop Marketing | – Marketing farm produce – Market survey | – Understand the marketing of farm produce – Learn how to conduct a market survey | – Role-play on marketing – Field trip for market survey | – Role-play props – Market survey materials |
| 7 | Midterm Assessment | – Review of topics covered in the third term | – Evaluate understanding of topics covered | – Midterm test | – Test papers – Pens |
| 8 | Livestock Management | – Animal care and health – Breeding practices | – Learn about livestock care and health – Understand breeding techniques | – Practical session on animal care – Guest speaker on breeding | – Props for practical session – Guest speaker presentation |
| 9 | Sustainable Farming | – Sustainable farming practices – Conservation of resources | – Identify sustainable farming methods – Learn resource conservation | – Group discussion on sustainability – Awareness campaign on conservation | – Visuals on sustainability – Campaign materials |
| 10 | Food Security | – What is food security? – Achieving food security | – Define food security and methods to achieve it | – Discussion on food security – Guest speaker on food security | – Visuals on food security – Guest speaker presentation |
| 11 | Revision | – Review of all topics covered | – Prepare for upcoming examinations | – Group revision sessions | – Revision materials – Whiteboard and markers |
| 12 | Examination | – Assessment of all topics | – Evaluate the understanding of the subject matter | – Final examination | – Examination papers – Pens |
| 13 | Examination (Continued) | – Completion of the final examination | – Wrap up the examination process | – Final examination completion | – Examination materials – Pens |
In addition to tools, cultural practices for growing vegetables are covered in this term. Learners are introduced to pre-planting activities such as site selection and cleaning, planting, and post-planting activities. These steps are illustrated through a flow chart, helping students grasp the sequential nature of agricultural practices. Learners are encouraged to participate in practical activities like preparing a vegetable bed and taking care of allocated plots.
The Agricultural Science Scheme of Work for Primary 4 is a meticulously structured curriculum that offers students a comprehensive insight into the world of agriculture. As they progress through the three terms, learners develop a profound understanding of agriculture’s fundamental concepts, ranging from its definition and importance to soil types, enrichment techniques, farm tools, and cultural practices. This holistic approach equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to appreciate, engage with, and contribute to the field of agriculture. By fostering an early connection with agricultural practices, this scheme of work plays a crucial role in nurturing a generation of informed and responsible agricultural enthusiasts who can contribute to sustainable food production and community development.