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PRIMARY 3: BASIC SCIENCE – THIRD TERM | WEEK 2

Updated April 13, 2026Basic Science, Primary 3, Third Term

TOPIC: MEANING, CLASSES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF PLANTS

A: TEACHING AND LEARNING MATERIALS

  1. Live plants.
  2. Pictures of herbs, shrubs and trees.
  3. Leaves.
  4. Flowers.
  5. Plant chart.
  6. Pupils’ notebooks and pencils.

B: REFERENCE MATERIALS

  1. Scheme of work.
  2. Recommended Basic Science textbook for Primary 3.
  3. Online educational resources.

C: PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE

The pupils have seen different plants around their homes and school and know that plants are living things.

D: PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES

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

  1. Explain the meaning of plants.
  2. Identify plants in their environment.
  3. Classify plants into herbs, shrubs and trees.
  4. Mention characteristics of plants.
  5. Give examples of common plants.

E: CONTENT

Meaning of Plants

Plants are living things that usually grow in the soil. They are found around us. Examples include:

  • 🌳 Mango tree
  • 🌱 Grass
  • 🌺 Hibiscus
  • 🌽 Maize
  • 🫘 Beans

Classes of Plants

Plants can be grouped according to their size and nature.

Herbs

Herbs are usually small plants with soft stems. Examples:

  • Grass.
  • Tomato.
  • Maize.

Shrubs

Shrubs are medium-sized plants with several woody branches near the ground. Examples:

  • Hibiscus.
  • Rose.
  • Croton.

Trees

Trees are usually tall plants with strong woody stems called trunks. Examples:

  • Mango.
  • Orange.
  • Coconut.

Characteristics of Plants

Plants:

  1. Are living things.
  2. Grow.
  3. Need water.
  4. Need air.
  5. Need sunlight.
  6. Reproduce.
  7. Eventually die.

F: LESSON PRESENTATION

F1: Teachers’ Activities

  1. Displays live plants and pictures.
  2. Explains the meaning of plants.
  3. Introduces herbs, shrubs and trees.
  4. Gives examples of each class.
  5. Discusses characteristics of plants.
  6. Takes pupils around the school compound to observe plants where possible.

F2: Pupils’ Activities

  1. Observe plants.
  2. Define plants in simple terms.
  3. Identify herbs, shrubs and trees.
  4. Give examples of each class.
  5. Mention characteristics of plants.
  6. Observe plants in the environment.

G: CONCLUSION

The teacher explains that plants are living things and can be grouped into herbs, shrubs and trees. Pupils are encouraged to observe and identify different plants around them.

H: EVALUATION GUIDE

Pupils should be able to answer the following questions:

  1. What are plants?
  2. Mention three examples of plants.
  3. What is a herb?
  4. Mention two shrubs.
  5. Mention two trees.
  6. State three characteristics of plants.
  7. Is maize a herb, shrub or tree?