Primary 5 Agricultural Science – Second Term, Week 1
Topic: Understanding Weeds, Pests, and Their Impact on Farming
Introduction
“Miss, why do farmers allow grasses to grow with their crops? Do they like them?”
“No, they don’t! But those grasses are not just grasses—they’re weeds, and they cause real trouble for farmers!”
Weeds and pests are like unwanted guests on a farm. They come uninvited, cause damage, and make farming harder. While weeds compete with crops for space, water, and sunlight, pests like insects and rodents attack plants and destroy the harvest.
In this exciting lesson, we will:
-
Identify what weeds and pests are,
-
Understand the different types of weeds and pests,
-
Learn how they affect farming, and
-
Discover smart ways farmers can control them.
Whether you’re a Primary 5 pupil, a dedicated teacher, or a young agricultural enthusiast, this lesson will open your eyes to how weeds and pests can turn a healthy farm into a struggling one—and how to fight back!
Let’s dig in and learn how to protect our farms from these silent destroyers!
Topic: Understanding Weeds, Pests, and Their Impact on Farming
Subject: Agricultural Science
Class: Primary 5
Term: Second Term
Week: Week 1
Age: 9–10 years
Duration: 40 minutes
Focus Keyphrase: Weeds and pests in farming
SEO Title: Understanding Weeds, Pests, and Their Impact on Farming | Primary 5 Agricultural Science
Slug: understanding-weeds-and-pests-primary-5
Meta Description: Explore Primary 5 Agricultural Science Week 1 lesson on understanding weeds, pests, their effects, and control measures. Perfect for teachers, students, and farm lovers!
Behavioral Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, pupils should be able to:
-
Define weeds and pests.
-
Mention examples of common weeds and pests.
-
State the effects of weeds and pests on crops.
-
Identify simple control methods for weeds and pests.
-
Appreciate the importance of controlling weeds and pests on a farm.
Keywords and Definitions:
-
Weeds: Unwanted plants that grow where they are not needed.
-
Pests: Harmful animals or insects that attack crops.
-
Crop Yield: The amount of crops harvested.
-
Control Measures: Steps taken to stop or reduce something harmful.
-
Herbicides: Chemicals used to kill weeds.
-
Insecticides: Chemicals used to kill insect pests.
Set Induction:
Teacher: Class, what do you think farmers do when goats or grasses enter their farms?
Tola: Maybe they shout, “Hey! Get out!”
Teacher: That would be funny, but no—there are smarter ways to handle them. Today, we’ll learn how farmers fight grasses and insects that destroy crops. We call them weeds and pests!
Entry Behavior:
Pupils have seen grasses in school gardens or home farms and may have noticed insects eating leaves or goats wandering into gardens.
Learning Resources & Instructional Materials:
-
Flashcards showing weeds and pests
-
Real samples or pictures of weeds and pests
-
A hoe or weeding tool
-
Chart comparing healthy vs. infested crops
Building Background Knowledge / Real-life Connection:
Most pupils live near gardens, farms, or homes with small crops. They’ve likely helped parents weed or chased animals from the garden. They can relate to the frustration caused by pests and weeds.
Embedded Core Skills:
-
Observation and identification
-
Critical thinking
-
Communication
-
Practical demonstration
Main Content:
1. Meaning of Weeds
Weeds are unwanted plants that grow among crops. They take water, food, and sunlight meant for the crops.
Examples of common weeds:
-
Spear grass
-
Pigweed
-
Elephant grass
-
Water leaf
2. Effects of Weeds on Crops:
-
Compete for water and nutrients
-
Reduce crop yield
-
Make farms look untidy
-
Hide harmful pests
3. Control Measures for Weeds:
-
Hand weeding (using hands or hoes)
-
Use of herbicides
-
Mulching (covering the ground to stop weed growth)
4. Meaning of Pests
Pests are animals or insects that destroy crops or reduce their quality.
Types of pests:
-
Insect pests: Grasshoppers, caterpillars, weevils
-
Animal pests: Rats, birds, goats
5. Effects of Pests on Crops:
-
Eat leaves, stems, and fruits
-
Cause holes in fruits
-
Reduce the number of crops harvested
-
Spread diseases
6. Control Measures for Pests:
-
Use of insecticides
-
Scarecrows to chase birds
-
Fencing to keep animals out
-
Traps for rats
Classroom FAQ Discussion:
-
Pupil: Can we eat weeds if they look like vegetables?
Teacher: Some weeds like water leaf can be eaten, but not all. Some are dangerous! -
Pupil: What if pests become friends with the crops?
Teacher: That’s not possible! Pests only think about food—not friendship. -
Pupil: Can we use pepper spray for pests?
Teacher: Haha! Not kitchen pepper! We use special farm insecticides. -
Pupil: If I step on a weed, does it scream?
Teacher: Not at all—but it might grow back stronger! That’s why we uproot them completely. -
Pupil: Can pests attend school too?
Teacher: Haha, only if they want to learn how not to damage crops! -
Pupil: Why can’t farmers just beg pests to leave?
Teacher: Pests don’t understand begging. They understand chemicals, traps, and scarecrows! -
Pupil: Are goats pests too?
Teacher: Yes, when they enter the farm and eat crops without permission! -
Pupil: Why do weeds grow faster than crops?
Teacher: Weeds are stubborn and quick—they don’t wait for permission to grow. -
Pupil: Can I name a weed after my brother if he annoys me?
Teacher: That’s hilarious—but weeds have their own names already. -
Pupil: Why do birds love farms?
Teacher: Because farms have delicious seeds and fruits—just like a buffet! -
Pupil: What happens if we don’t weed a farm for a whole year?
Teacher: The weeds will take over—and the crops will suffer or die. -
Pupil: Are all insects pests?
Teacher: No! Some, like bees, help plants. Only harmful ones are pests. -
Pupil: Can we use slippers to chase pests?
Teacher: Maybe at home, but on a farm, we use proper tools! -
Pupil: Why don’t pests go to the bush instead of farms?
Teacher: Farms are full of tasty food—that’s why they come! -
Pupil: Can we train pests not to eat crops?
Teacher: Not possible! They don’t obey—they only eat!
Part A:Fill-in-the-Blank Objective Questions (Multiple Choice)
-
Weeds are __________ plants.
a) beautiful
b) needed
c) unwanted
d) good-smelling
Answer: c -
An example of a weed is __________.
a) Weevil
b) Pigweed
c) Maize
d) Rice
Answer: b -
Weeds are __________ plants.
a) beautiful
b) needed
c) unwanted
d) good-smelling
Answer: c -
An example of a weed is __________.
a) Weevil
b) Pigweed
c) Maize
d) Rice
Answer: b -
__________ are animals or insects that destroy crops.
a) Teachers
b) Farmers
c) Pests
d) Guards
Answer: c -
A chemical used to kill weeds is called __________.
a) Insecticide
b) Fertilizer
c) Herbicide
d) Pesticide
Answer: c -
__________ is a method of stopping weeds using black nylon or leaves.
a) Farming
b) Mulching
c) Burning
d) Weeding
Answer: b -
A weevil is a type of __________.
a) Weed
b) Pest
c) Fertilizer
d) Herbicide
Answer: b -
A hoe is used to remove __________.
a) Food
b) Pests
c) Soil
d) Weeds
Answer: d -
Insecticides are used to kill __________.
a) Weeds
b) Animals
c) Insects
d) Farmers
Answer: c -
__________ protect farms from animals like goats.
a) Fertilizers
b) Nets
c) Scarecrows
d) Fences
Answer: d -
The act of removing weeds by hand is called __________.
a) Digging
b) Harvesting
c) Hand weeding
d) Pouring
Answer: c -
A pest that attacks grains in storage is the __________.
a) Caterpillar
b) Bird
c) Weevil
d) Rat
Answer: c -
Goats can destroy crops by __________.
a) Singing
b) Eating them
c) Playing around
d) Smelling them
Answer: b -
The damage done by pests can __________ crop yield.
a) Increase
b) Beautify
c) Reduce
d) Preserve
Answer: c -
One effect of weeds is that they __________.
a) Help crops grow
b) Protect the farm
c) Compete with crops for food
d) Kill pests
Answer: c -
Farmers use __________ to scare birds away.
a) Radios
b) Fences
c) Scarecrows
d) Posters
Part B: Evaluation Theory Questions
-
What are weeds?
-
Mention two examples of weeds.
-
State two effects of weeds on crops.
-
What are pests?
-
Give two examples of insect pests.
-
What are two control measures for pests?
-
What are herbicides used for?
-
How do weeds affect crop yield?
-
Why is fencing important on a farm?
-
Describe what happens if pests are not controlled.
Assessment Methods:
-
Oral questions during class
-
Picture identification activities
-
Role play: acting as a farmer controlling weeds/pests
-
Class quiz
Conclusion (Engaging Wrap-up):
Teacher: So class, what do we now know about weeds and pests?
Pupil: That they are the enemies of our crops!
Teacher: Exactly! A smart farmer watches out for weeds and pests. If you control them early, your farm will thank you with plenty of harvest!