Primary 5 Agricultural Science Lesson Note – Week 2
Definition and Examples of Weeds
What Are Weeds? Definition, Common Examples, and Weed Album for Primary 5
Learn the meaning of weeds, common types found on farms, and how to create a weed album in this engaging Primary 5 Agricultural Science lesson note. Perfect for teachers and learners.
Subject: Agricultural Science
Class: Primary 5
Term: Second Term
Week: Week 2
Age: 9 – 11 years
Duration: 40 minutes
Topic: What Are Weeds?
Sub-topic: Meaning, Examples, and Creating a Weed Album
Behavioral Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, pupils should be able to:
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Define the term “weeds.”
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Mention at least 5 common weeds found on the farm.
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Describe the features of different weeds.
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Explain what a weed album is.
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Create a simple weed album using samples or drawings.
Key Words:
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Weeds
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Unwanted
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Farm
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Album
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Identify
Set Induction (Funny Classroom Introduction):
Teacher: Class, guess what plant grows where nobody wants it?
Pupil 1: Yam!
Teacher: Hmm, we wish!
Pupil 2: Is it a naughty coconut?
Teacher: Haha! Not quite. The answer is weeds—they show up where they’re not wanted, like that one uncle who comes only when there’s party rice!
Entry Behaviour:
The teacher asks, “Have you ever seen grasses growing in between your mummy’s flower pots or on the school farm?”
Most pupils raise their hands and shout, “Yes!”
Teacher: “That’s a weed! It grows where it’s not wanted.”
Learning Resources and Instructional Materials:
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Real weed samples (e.g., spear grass, goat weed)
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Chart showing pictures of common weeds
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Weed album (sample or handmade)
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Flashcards with weed names
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Drawing books and crayons
Building Background Knowledge:
Pupils are reminded that crops need food, water, and sunlight to grow. The teacher explains that weeds steal these resources from crops, making it hard for crops to grow well.
Embedded Core Skills:
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Critical thinking
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Observation
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Drawing and labeling
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Communication skills
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Nature appreciation
Main Content
Definition of Weeds:
Weeds are unwanted plants that grow where they are not needed.
They are not planted by farmers but grow on their own and compete with crops for water, nutrients, and sunlight.
Examples of Common Weeds on the Farm:
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Spear grass | Imperata cylindrica | Tough, sharp-edged grass that spreads quickly. |
| Goat weed | Ageratum conyzoides | Short, purple-flowered weed found in gardens. |
| Waterleaf | Talinum triangulare | Juicy, soft-leafed plant—edible but still a weed. |
| Elephant grass | Pennisetum purpureum | Very tall grass, common along bush paths. |
| Wild sunflower | Tithonia diversifolia | Large leaves with yellow flowers. |
Characteristics of Weeds:
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They grow faster than crops.
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They spread easily.
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They are difficult to control.
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They grow in unwanted places.
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Some are edible, but they are still classified as weeds.
Creating a Weed Album
A weed album is a simple book where we collect or draw different types of weeds.
It helps pupils learn how to identify and describe weeds easily.
Steps to Make a Weed Album:
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Pick 3–5 different weeds from the school farm or surroundings.
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Paste or draw each one on a page.
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Label each weed with its name.
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Write one or two features of each.
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Keep the album safe for learning.
Classroom Discussion
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Pupil: If waterleaf is tasty, why is it a weed?
Teacher: Because it grows where we don’t want it, even without planting it! -
Pupil: Can weeds wear uniforms like us?
Teacher: Only if they plan to attend school—haha! -
Pupil: Can a flower be a weed?
Teacher: Yes, if it grows where it’s not needed. -
Pupil: If I plant spear grass on purpose, is it still a weed?
Teacher: Good question! If you want it there, then it’s not a weed anymore. -
Pupil: Can a weed talk?
Teacher: Only in cartoons, my dear! -
Pupil: Is elephant grass big like an elephant?
Teacher: Not quite, but it grows very tall and wild! -
Pupil: Can we eat all weeds?
Teacher: No. Some are edible like waterleaf, but many are harmful. -
Pupil: Why do weeds grow faster than crops?
Teacher: Because they’re tough and don’t need much care. -
Pupil: What if we use weeds as decoration?
Teacher: Then they become useful—but be careful! -
Pupil: Why are weeds always green?
Teacher: Most plants are green because of chlorophyll. -
Pupil: Can weeds be friends with crops?
Teacher: No, they’re more like enemies! -
Pupil: Are all grasses weeds?
Teacher: Not all. Some are useful like pasture grasses for animals. -
Pupil: What’s the difference between weed and grass?
Teacher: Grasses are a type of plant. Weeds are any unwanted plant. -
Pupil: Can weeds wear shoes?
Teacher: Haha, only if they’re going on a school trip! -
Pupil: Why are we learning about weeds?
Teacher: So you can become smart farmers and protect your crops!
Part A: Fill-in-the-Blank Objective Questions
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Weeds are __________ plants.
a) needed
b) useful
c) unwanted
d) clean
Answer: c -
A plant that grows where it is not wanted is called a __________.
a) flower
b) tree
c) weed
d) crop
Answer: c -
Goat weed is a __________.
a) tool
b) weed
c) tree
d) fruit
Answer: b -
Elephant grass is known for being __________.
a) tall
b) tasty
c) short
d) red
Answer: a -
A weed album contains pictures and __________ of weeds.
a) fruits
b) features
c) roots
d) seeds
Answer: b -
__________ is an example of a common weed.
a) Yam
b) Maize
c) Spear grass
d) Mango
Answer: c -
Waterleaf is a __________ weed.
a) dry
b) thorny
c) juicy
d) poisonous
Answer: c -
Weeds grow __________.
a) slowly
b) neatly
c) where needed
d) where not needed
Answer: d -
__________ compete with crops for water and nutrients.
a) Roots
b) Weeds
c) Fertilizers
d) Birds
Answer: b -
A plant can be called a weed if it is __________.
a) useful
b) unwanted
c) sweet
d) dry
Answer: b -
Wild sunflower is a type of __________.
a) food
b) weed
c) herbicide
d) pest
Answer: b -
Weed albums are used for __________.
a) cooking
b) studying
c) playing
d) dancing
Answer: b -
A good way to learn weeds is to make a __________.
a) playbook
b) weed album
c) photo frame
d) class test
Answer: b -
Ageratum conyzoides is also called __________.
a) spear grass
b) goat weed
c) elephant grass
d) waterleaf
Answer: b -
Weeds can affect crop growth by __________ with them.
a) singing
b) sharing
c) competing
d) building
Answer: c
Evaluation Theory Questions
These questions will test pupils’ deeper understanding and ability to apply what they’ve learned:
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What are weeds?
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Mention any four common weeds found on a farm.
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Explain why weeds are harmful to crops.
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Describe the appearance of spear grass.
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What is the full meaning of a weed album?
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How do weeds affect the growth of farm crops?
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List three differences between weeds and crops.
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What is the function of making a weed album in class?
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Can a useful plant become a weed? Explain with an example.
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Draw and label any two common weeds you know.
Assessment (Formative and Summative)
Oral Questions:
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What are weeds?
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Name one weed you have seen before.
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Why do we remove weeds from the farm?
Class Activities:
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Pupils go outside (school garden/farm) to observe weeds.
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Each pupil selects a weed, draws it, and labels its name.
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The teacher checks their drawings and gives feedback.
Group Work:
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Pupils work in small groups to create a mini weed album.
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Each group presents their album and explains their weed choices.
Conclusion (Class Wrap-Up Discussion)
Teacher: “We’ve learned that weeds are unwanted plants that grow where they’re not needed. They take away food, water, and sunlight from crops. We also discovered some weeds like spear grass and goat weed. Making a weed album helps us to remember and identify them easily.”
Teacher asks: “What should you do if you see weeds growing beside your crops?”
Pupils: “Remove them quickly!”
Teacher: “Yes! Because healthy crops don’t like bad neighbors!”
Final Take-Home Task (Homework):
Draw any 2 weeds you have seen around your house or school, write their names and one feature of each. Submit it in your next Agricultural Science class.
Control of Weeds Agricultural Science Primary 5