Week 3: Effects of Weeds on Farmers

Class: Primary 5
Subject: Agricultural Science
Term: Second Term
Week: 3
Age: 9–10 years
Duration: 40 minutes
Topic: Effects of Weeds on Farmers
Sub-topic: Negative Effects and Solutions
Focus Keyphrase: Effects of Weeds on Farmers
SEO Title: Primary 5 Agricultural Science: Effects of Weeds on Farmers (Week 3 Lesson Note)
Slug: primary-5-agric-science-effects-of-weeds
Meta Description: Learn about the harmful effects of weeds on crops and farmers. Discover simple solutions like mulching, crop rotation, and timely weeding for Primary 5 pupils.

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Behavioral Objectives

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

1. Explain what weeds do to crops and soil.

2. Identify at least 4 negative effects of weeds.

3. State 3 simple ways to control weeds on a farm.

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Keywords

• Weeds

• Herbicides

• Mulching

• Crop rotation

• Nutrients

• Soil moisture

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Set Induction

Teacher: “Class, imagine your mummy buys food and hides it in the kitchen. Then, your dog comes and eats everything before you even smell it. How would you feel?”
Pupils: “Angry!” “Sad!” “I will cry!”
Teacher: “That’s what crops feel when weeds take their food, water, and space. Let’s learn how weeds are greedy and how they disturb farmers.”

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Entry Behavior

Pupils already know what weeds are and can name some common ones from last week’s lesson.

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Learning Resources & Instructional Materials

• Flashcards showing weed-affected farms

• Chart displaying effects of weeds

• Live weeds or weed samples

• Short farm video (if available)

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Building Background Knowledge

Teacher: “Last week, we learned what weeds are and even created a weed album. Today, we will talk about the trouble these weeds cause to farmers and crops.”

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Embedded Core Skills

• Observation

• Communication

• Teamwork

• Critical Thinking

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Main Content

Negative Effects of Weeds

1. Competition for Nutrients:
   Weeds steal the food (nutrients) from the soil that crops need to grow well.

2. Reduction in Soil Moisture:
   They drink the water in the soil and leave little for the crops.

3. Spread of Diseases:
   Some weeds bring harmful insects and germs that can make crops sick.

4. Increased Labor and Costs:
   Farmers spend more time and money trying to remove weeds.

5. Lower Crop Quality:
   Weeds make harvesting difficult and reduce the quality of food.

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Solutions to Weed Problems

1. Timely Weeding:
   Remove weeds before they grow too big or produce seeds.

2. Use of Herbicides:
   Farmers can use chemicals to kill only the weeds.

3. Crop Rotation:
   Changing crops in a farmland makes it hard for weeds to grow.

4. Mulching:
   Covering the ground with leaves or grasses stops weed seeds from growing.

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Classroom Discussion

1. What do weeds take away from the soil?

2. How do weeds make harvesting difficult?

3. What does mulching mean?

4. Why should farmers weed on time?

5. What is a herbicide?

6. Can weeds help spread crop diseases?

7. Do weeds like water just like crops?

8. Why is crop rotation good for weed control?

9. What happens if we leave weeds on the farm?

10. How do weeds affect the farmer’s money?

11. Can weeds make crops sick?

12. Do weeds reduce the size of harvest?

13. What part of the soil do weeds compete for?

14. Name one way to stop weeds from growing.

15. How does mulching help the soil?

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Part A: Fill-in-the-Blank Questions

1. Weeds are unwanted __________.
   a) animals b) plants c) insects d) stones

2. Weeds compete with crops for __________.
   a) food b) space c) water d) all of the above

3. Farmers spend more money on __________ when there are weeds.
   a) watching TV b) weeding c) shopping d) cooking

4. __________ helps cover the soil and stop weed growth.
   a) Cooking b) Mulching c) Singing d) Sleeping

5. Herbicides are __________.
   a) weed removers b) fruit trees c) cooking oil d) harvest tools

6. Crop rotation helps prevent __________ from growing.
   a) bananas b) crops c) weeds d) water

7. Some weeds cause __________.
   a) ice cream b) diseases c) dreams d) books

8. When weeds drink water, crops become __________.
   a) happy b) tall c) dry d) shiny

9. Weeds reduce crop __________.
   a) colour b) quality c) smell d) shape

10. We should weed the farm __________.
    a) once a year b) too late c) on time d) never

11. Elephant grass is an example of a __________.
    a) fruit b) weed c) crop d) tree

12. Weeds use soil __________ needed by crops.
    a) colour b) music c) nutrients d) seeds

13. Weeds increase __________ cost.
    a) dancing b) labour c) sleeping d) clapping

14. One solution to weeds is __________.
    a) ignoring them b) planting more c) mulching d) shouting

15. Waterleaf is a common farm __________.
    a) weed b) dog c) yam d) fence

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Part B: Evaluation Theory Questions

1. What are weeds?

2. List any three problems caused by weeds.

3. What is soil moisture?

4. How do weeds affect soil moisture?

5. What are herbicides used for?

6. Mention two examples of weeds.

7. What does timely weeding mean?

8. What is crop rotation?

9. Explain what mulching is.

10. Why should farmers control weeds early?

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Assessment

Oral Questions:

• What happens when weeds drink all the water?

• How can we stop weeds from growing fast?

Group Activity:

• Pupils draw a table of “Weed Problems” vs “Solutions”.

• Class discussion and display of best group chart.

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Conclusion

Teacher: “So, class, we now understand that weeds are not just annoying—they take food, water, and even make crops sick! But we also know how to fight back with weeding, mulching, and smart farming.”

Funny Recap:
Teacher: “If weeds were people, they’d be the kind that eats your lunch and still says ‘thank you!’”
Pupils: “Haaaa! That’s bad manners!”
Teacher: “Yes! And that’s why we remove weeds—so our crops can grow with full stomachs!”

• Understanding Weeds, Pests, and Their Impact on Farming