Agricultural Science – Primary 5
Term: First Term
Week: 4
Topic: Planting Activities
Class Duration: 40 minutes
Curriculum Standard: Nigerian National Curriculum
Learning Domain: Cognitive, Psychomotor, Affective
✅ Learning Objectives (Pupils should be able to):
-
Describe key planting activities such as placing seeds, spacing, and watering.
-
Identify and name tools used during planting like hoes, cutlasses, and planters.
-
Practically carry out planting activities on the school farm or at home.
Keywords:
Planting, spacing, watering, hoe, cutlass, planter, seed, soil, germination.
Entry Behaviour:
Pupils have observed or participated in backyard or compound farming during planting season.
Set Induction (Hook Story – Local Context):
“Children, do you remember last week when we cleared the land and tilled the soil? Today, we move to the exciting part – putting life into the ground! What happens after Mama Nkechi finishes preparing the soil? She plants her ugu seeds carefully, spacing them so they can breathe and grow well.”
Ask pupils: “Have you ever planted anything at home or with an adult? What did you use?”
Instructional Materials:
-
Real or illustrated tools: hoe, cutlass, planter, watering can
-
Seeds (beans, maize, okra)
-
Prepared soil patch
-
Picture chart showing correct plant spacing
Content Breakdown – Planting Activities
1. Planting Seeds
-
Place the seeds gently into holes made in the soil.
-
The hole shouldn’t be too deep or too shallow.
-
Cover lightly with soil.
2. Spacing
-
Give each seed enough room to grow.
-
Common spacing: 30cm–45cm depending on the crop.
3. Watering
-
Water is poured gently over the soil to help seeds germinate.
-
Do not overwater — seeds can rot!
Common Tools Used in Planting
| Tool | Use |
|---|---|
| Hoe | Makes holes for planting seeds |
| Cutlass | Clears small grass or roots in planting area |
| Planter | Drops seeds evenly in large-scale farms |
| Watering can | Gently waters the soil after planting |
Teacher–Pupil Dialogue:
Teacher: “What happens if we plant seeds too close together?”
Pupils: “They will fight for space and may not grow well!”
Teacher: “Very good! That is why we space them.”
⚒️ Practical Activity (Psychomotor Focus):
Take pupils to the school farm. Guide them to:
-
Make planting holes with a hoe
-
Plant maize or beans using proper spacing
-
Water the soil lightly after planting
-
Clean and return tools safely
Real-Life Application:
“Just like we give each pupil their chair and space in class, each seed also needs room to grow well.”
✍ Evaluation Questions:
-
What is the first step in planting activities?
-
Mention two tools used during planting.
-
Why do we need to space the seeds?
-
What will happen if we don’t water the seeds?
-
Name one crop you can plant at home.
-
What does a watering can do?
-
Which tool is used for digging planting holes?
-
Describe one planting activity you have done before.
-
Why must seeds be covered lightly after planting?
-
What is a planter used for?
Homework/Assignment:
Draw and label any three tools used in planting.
Write two things you learned while planting on the school farm.
Primary 5 Agricultural Science – Week 4
Topic: Planting Activities
*Focus: Tools, Spacing, Watering, and School Farm Practice
✅ 15 Fill-in-the-Gap MCQs with Options (a–d)
Instruction: Choose the correct answer that best completes each sentence.
-
The act of putting seeds in the soil is called __________.
a) watering
b) weeding
c) planting
d) harvesting
✅ Answer: c) planting -
Seeds must be planted with enough __________ between them.
a) food
b) water
c) spacing
d) noise
✅ Answer: c) spacing -
A __________ is used to make holes for planting.
a) ruler
b) hoe
c) chair
d) cutlass
✅ Answer: b) hoe -
__________ helps young seeds to grow.
a) Sweeping
b) Harvesting
c) Watering
d) Sleeping
✅ Answer: c) Watering -
The tool used to pour water gently on plants is called __________.
a) watering can
b) basin
c) bottle
d) jug
✅ Answer: a) watering can -
Proper spacing helps crops to get enough __________.
a) bags
b) space
c) sugar
d) salt
✅ Answer: b) space -
The process of planting seeds in a straight line is called __________.
a) jumping
b) ridging
c) row planting
d) cutting
✅ Answer: c) row planting -
A __________ is used to cut small grasses before planting.
a) broom
b) dustpan
c) cutlass
d) spade
✅ Answer: c) cutlass -
__________ is NOT a planting tool.
a) Planter
b) Hoe
c) Fork
d) Pencil
✅ Answer: d) Pencil -
A __________ drops seeds evenly in large farms.
a) watering can
b) hoe
c) planter
d) knife
✅ Answer: c) planter -
Seeds planted too closely will __________.
a) grow faster
b) not grow well
c) shine brighter
d) produce more fruits
✅ Answer: b) not grow well -
Watering should be done __________ after planting.
a) one week later
b) immediately
c) after harvesting
d) before planting
✅ Answer: b) immediately -
When we space seeds, they grow without __________.
a) light
b) fighting
c) love
d) music
✅ Answer: b) fighting -
A __________ helps in digging soft soil.
a) knife
b) hoe
c) spoon
d) stick
✅ Answer: b) hoe -
Watering too much can make seeds __________.
a) strong
b) beautiful
c) rot
d) multiply
✅ Answer: c) rot
❓ 10 FAQs – Planting Activities for Primary 5
-
What are the main activities involved in planting crops?
They include placing seeds in the soil, spacing them well, and watering the ground. -
Why is spacing important when planting seeds?
It helps each seed to get enough sunlight, water, and nutrients to grow well. -
What tools are used during planting?
Hoes, cutlasses, planters, and watering cans are common planting tools. -
Can pupils plant seeds on their own?
Yes, with guidance from the teacher or adults, pupils can learn to plant on school farms or at home. -
When is the best time to water seeds after planting?
Immediately after planting so the soil is moist enough for germination. -
What is a planter used for?
A planter helps in dropping seeds evenly in the soil on large farms. -
Can you plant seeds without watering them?
No. Seeds need water to germinate and grow. -
How can pupils practice planting at home?
By planting maize, beans, or okra in containers or backyard spaces using proper spacing and watering. -
What happens when you plant too many seeds in one place?
The plants will fight for space and nutrients and may not grow well. -
Are planting tools dangerous?
Some tools like hoes and cutlasses can cause injury if not used properly, so children must be guided.
Crop Production Quiz for Primary 5 | Agricultural Science Week 2
10 Evaluation Questions (Open-Ended for Classroom or Homework)
-
Describe how to plant a maize seed properly.
-
Mention three tools used for planting and their uses.
-
Why do we need to water the soil after planting?
-
What does “spacing” mean in planting?
-
What tool would you use to dig a planting hole?
-
Why should we not plant seeds too close together?
-
Have you ever planted something at home? Describe your experience.
-
What can happen to seeds if we do not water them properly?
-
Describe what a watering can looks like and how to use it.
-
What did you learn from today’s planting activity on the school farm?
Crop Production Quiz for Primary 5 | Agricultural Science Week 2
