Planting Activities for Primary 5 Pupils: Tools, Spacing, and School Farm

‍ 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.