Growing Crops: Meaning of Growing Crops, Conditions for Better Crop Growth, Types and Components of Fertilizers, Importance of Fertilizers to the Soil, and Using Fertilizer and Compost to Grow Crops Primary 6 (Basic 6) First Term Week 3 Basic Science and Technology

BASIC SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

FIRST TERM

WEEK 3

PRIMARY 6 (BASIC 6) 

THEME – LIVING AND NON LIVING THINGS 

PREVIOUS LESSON – Living and Non-Living Things: Meaning, Examples, Characteristics and Identification of Living and Non Living Things Primary 6 (Basic 6) First Term Week 2 Basic Science and Technology

TOPIC – GROWING BETTER CROPS 

LEARNING AREA

1. Introduction

2. Meaning of Growing Crops

3. Conditions for Better Crop Growth

4. Types and Components of Fertilizers

5. Importance of Fertilizers to the Soil

6. Using Fertilizer and Compost to Grow Crops

7. Weekly Assessment: Test Questions and Answers

8. Summary

LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

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

1. Define growing crops.

2. State the conditions necessary for better crop growth.

3. Identify the types of fertilizers.

4. Mention the major components of fertilizers.

5. Explain the importance of fertilizers to the soil.

6. Describe how fertilizer and compost are used to grow crops.

ENTRY BEHAVIOUR

Pupils have previously learned about living things, plants, and the importance of agriculture. They know that plants need water, air, sunlight, and good soil to grow.

This lesson builds on that knowledge by teaching pupils how crops are grown successfully, the conditions needed for healthy crop growth, and how fertilizers and compost improve soil fertility and help crops produce better yields.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

The teacher will teach the lesson with the aid of:

1. Samples of fertilizers (organic and inorganic)

2. Compost sample

3. Pictures of healthy crops

4. Garden tools

5. Charts showing crop growth

METHOD OF TEACHING

Choose a suitable and appropriate methods for the lessons.

Note – Irrespective of choosing methods of teaching, always introduce an activities that will arouse pupil’s interest or lead them to the lessons. 

REFERENCE MATERIALS

1. Scheme of Work

2. 9 – Years Basic Education Curriculum

3. Course Book

4. All Relevant Material

5. Online Information

CONTENT OF THE LESSON

INTRODUCTION

Crops are plants grown by farmers for food, medicine, clothing, and other useful purposes. To produce healthy crops and good harvests, farmers provide the right conditions such as fertile soil, water, sunlight, and nutrients. They also improve the soil by applying fertilizers and compost.

In this lesson, pupils will learn the meaning of growing crops, the conditions needed for better crop growth, the types and components of fertilizers, the importance of fertilizers to the soil, and how fertilizers and compost are used to grow healthy crops.

LESSON 1 – MEANING OF GROWING CROPS

Growing crops is the process of planting, nurturing, and caring for crops from the time they are planted until they are ready for harvest.

Farmers grow crops to provide food, raw materials for industries, medicine, animal feed, and income.

CONDITIONS FOR GROWING BETTER CROPS

For crops to grow well and produce good yields, the following conditions are necessary:

1. Fertile Soil – Crops grow best in soil that contains enough nutrients.

2. Adequate Water – Crops need enough water for healthy growth.

3. Sunlight – Sunlight helps plants make their own food through photosynthesis.

4. Good Quality Seeds – Healthy and improved seeds produce stronger and better crops.

5. Air – Plants need air for respiration and healthy growth.

6. Suitable Temperature – Crops grow well when the temperature is favourable.

7. Proper Spacing – Correct spacing allows crops to receive enough sunlight, air, water, and nutrients.

8. Fertilizers and Compost – Fertilizers and compost replace nutrients in the soil and improve crop growth.

9. Weed Control – Removing weeds prevents competition for nutrients, water, and sunlight.

10. Protection from Pests and Diseases – Healthy crops should be protected from insects, pests, and diseases to ensure good yields.

MEANING OF FERTILIZERS

Fertilizers are natural or manufactured substances added to the soil to supply essential nutrients needed for healthy plant growth and better crop yield.

TYPES OF FERTILIZERS

1. Organic Fertilizers

These are fertilizers obtained from natural sources such as plants and animals.

Examples Organic Fertilisers:

• Compost

• Animal dung

• Poultry droppings

• Green manure

2. Inorganic (Chemical) Fertilizers

These are fertilizers manufactured in factories.

Examples of Inorganic Fertilizers:

• NPK fertilizer

• Urea

• Ammonium sulphate

• Single Super Phosphate (SSP)

LESSON 2 – MAJOR COMPONENTS (NUTRIENTS) OF FERTILIZERS

1. Nitrogen (N)

• It promotes the growth of green leaves and stems.

2. Phosphorus (P)

• It encourages strong root development.

• It helps flowering and fruit formation.

3. Potassium (K)

• It strengthens plants.

• It improves resistance to pests and diseases.

• It produces healthy fruits and seeds.

These three nutrients are commonly called NPK.

IMPORTANCE OF FERTILIZERS TO THE SOIL

1. It replaces nutrients removed from the soil by crops.

2. It improves soil fertility.

3. It promotes healthy crop growth.

4. It increases crop yield.

5. It produces healthier leaves, roots, flowers, and fruits.

6. It improves the quality of crops.

7. It helps plants resist pests and diseases.

8. It supports continuous farming on the same land.

LESSON 3 – USING FERTILIZER AND COMPOST TO GROW CROPS

Fertilizer and compost are added to the soil to provide nutrients that help crops grow healthy and produce good yields.

How to Use Chemical Fertilizer

1. Clear the land and prepare the soil before planting.

2. Plant the crops at the correct spacing.

3. Apply the recommended amount of fertilizer around the base of each crop.

4. Do not allow the fertilizer to touch the stem or leaves directly.

5. Cover the fertilizer lightly with soil after application.

6. Water the crops if necessary after applying fertilizer.

7. Follow the instructions on the fertilizer package to avoid over-application.

How to Use Compost

1. Prepare compost from plant remains, dry leaves, grasses, animal dung, and other organic materials.

2. Allow the compost to decompose completely.

3. Mix the compost well with the soil before planting.

4. Add more compost around growing crops when necessary.

5. Water the soil regularly to help the nutrients reach the plant roots.

ADVANTAGES OF USING FERTILIZER AND COMPOST

1. The improve soil fertility.

2. The supply essential nutrients to crops.

3. They promote healthy plant growth.

4. They increase crop yield.

5. They improve the quality of crops.

6. They help crops resist pests and diseases.

7. They improve soil structure and water-holding capacity.

8. They support sustainable farming.

PRECAUTIONS WHEN USING FERTILIZER

1. Apply only the recommended quantity.

2. Do not apply fertilizer too close to the plant stem.

3. Store fertilizers in a dry and safe place.

4.Wash your hands after handling fertilizers.

5. Keep fertilizers away from children and animals.

WEEKLY ASSESSMENT: TEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS/ASSIGNMENT

A. Objective Questions (Choose the Correct Answer)

1. Growing crops is the process of ______.

A. Planting and caring for crops until harvest

B. Harvesting only

C. Selling crops

D. Cooking crops

2. Which of the following is an organic fertilizer?

A. NPK

B. Urea

C. Compost

D. Ammonium sulphate

3. Which nutrient helps the growth of green leaves?

A. Potassium

B. Nitrogen

C. Phosphorus

D. Calcium

4. Which of the following is NOT a condition for better crop growth?

A. Sunlight

B. Water

C. Fertile soil

D. Plastic bags

5. Compost is made mainly from ______.

A. Plastic materials

B. Plant and animal wastes

C. Iron scraps

D. Glass bottles

B. Fill in the Blanks

6. Fertilizers supply ______ to the soil.

7. NPK stands for Nitrogen, ______ and Potassium.

8. ______ fertilizer is obtained from natural sources.

9. Crops need ______ to make their own food.

10. Compost improves the ______ of the soil.

C. True or False

11. Fertilizers help improve soil fertility. ______

12. Water is not important for crop growth. ______

13. Compost is an example of organic fertilizer. ______

14. Nitrogen promotes the growth of leaves. ______

15. Applying too much fertilizer can damage crops. ______

D. Short Answer Questions

16. What is growing crops?

17. Mention four conditions necessary for better crop growth.

18. State the two main types of fertilizers.

19. Mention the three major components (nutrients) of fertilizers.

20. State three importance of fertilizers to the soil.

ANSWER GUIDE

1. A

2. C

3. B

4. D

5. B

6. Nutrients

7. Phosphorus

8. Organic

9. Sunlight

10. Fertility

11. True

12. False

13. True

14. True

15. True

16. Growing crops is the process of planting, nurturing, and caring for crops until they are harvested.

17. Fertile soil, water, sunlight, good seeds, air, suitable temperature, proper spacing, weed control (any four).

18. Organic fertilizers and inorganic (chemical) fertilizers.

19. Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K).

20. They improve soil fertility, supply nutrients, increase crop yield, improve crop quality, and promote healthy plant growth (any three).

SUMMARY

In this lesson, pupils learned that growing crops is the process of planting, nurturing, and caring for crops from planting until harvest.

They also learned the conditions necessary for better crop growth, which include: Fertile soil, Adequate water, Sunlight, etc.

Pupils identified the two main types of fertilizers:

• Organic fertilizers (such as compost, animal dung, and poultry droppings)

• Inorganic (chemical) fertilizers (such as NPK, Urea, and Ammonium Sulphate)

They learned that the major components of fertilizers are:

• Nitrogen (N) – promotes leaf and stem growth.

• Phosphorus (P) – encourages root development, flowering, and fruit formation.

• Potassium (K) – strengthens plants and improves resistance to pests and diseases.

Furthermore, pupils learned the importance of fertilizers in improving soil fertility, supplying nutrients, promoting healthy crop growth, increasing crop yield, and improving the quality of crops.

Finally, pupils learned the correct ways of using fertilizer and compost to grow healthy crops and the precautions to observe when applying fertilizers. Proper use of fertilizers and compost helps farmers produce healthy crops and achieve better harvests.

PRESENTATION

To deliver the lesson, the teacher adopts the following steps:

1. The teacher displays samples or pictures of crops, fertilizers, and compost.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils observe the materials and identify them.

2. The teacher explains the meaning of growing crops.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils explain what growing crops means in their own words.

3. The teacher discusses the conditions necessary for better crop growth.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils mention the conditions required for healthy crop growth.

4. The teacher explains the types of fertilizers (organic and inorganic) and gives examples.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils identify different types of fertilizers.

5. The teacher explains the major components of fertilizers (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium) and their functions.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils state the importance of each nutrient to plant growth.

6. The teacher discusses the importance of fertilizers to the soil.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils explain how fertilizers improve soil fertility and crop yield.

7. The teacher demonstrates how fertilizer and compost are correctly applied to crops.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils observe the demonstration and describe the correct method of application.

8. The teacher discusses the precautions to observe when using fertilizers.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils mention safety measures when handling fertilizers.

9. The teacher summarizes the lesson and asks oral questions.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils answer the questions and participate in the summary.

10. The teacher gives classwork and provides corrections where necessary.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils complete the exercise and correct their mistakes.

CONCLUSION

To conclude the lesson for the week, the teacher revises the entire lesson and links it to the following week’s lesson.

NEXT LESSON

The Human Circulatory System: Meaning of the Circulatory System, Identification of the Human Heart, and the Structure and Functions of the Heart Primary 6 (Basic 6) First Term Week 4 Basic Science And Technology

LESSON EVALUATION 

Teacher asks pupils,

1. What is growing crops?

2. State five conditions necessary for better crop growth.

3. Mention the two main types of fertilizers and give one example of each.

4. Name the three major components (nutrients) of fertilizers and state one function of each.

5. Explain three importance of fertilizers to the soil and describe how fertilizer or compost is used to grow crops.