PRIMARY 3: BASIC SCIENCE – THIRD TERM | WEEK 9

TOPIC: ANIMALS AS LIVING THINGS – FEATURES OF ANIMALS

A: TEACHING AND LEARNING MATERIALS

1. Animal picture chart.
2. Pictures of birds, fish, mammals and insects.
3. Feathers.
4. Pictures showing fur, scales and shells.
5. 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 can identify different animals, their habitats and some of their uses.

D: PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES

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

1. Identify observable features of animals.
2. Mention common body coverings of animals.
3. Identify body parts used for movement.
4. State differences in animal size, shape and colour.
5. Describe common animals correctly.

E: CONTENT

Features of Animals

Animals have different observable features. These features help us to identify them.

Body Coverings

Different animals have different body coverings. Examples: 🐕 Dog – fur or hair. 🐔 Chicken – feathers. 🐟 Fish – scales. 🐢 Tortoise – shell.

Parts Used for Movement

Animals move in different ways. Examples:

• Humans use legs.
• Birds use wings and legs.
• Fish use fins.
• Snakes move with their bodies.

Feeding Structures

Animals have different structures for feeding. Examples:

• Birds have beaks.
• Humans have teeth.
• Butterflies use a long feeding tube.
• Some animals have sharp teeth.

Differences in Animals

Animals differ in:

1. Size.
2. Shape.
3. Colour.
4. Body covering.
5. Number and type of limbs.
6. Habitat.

Similarities Among Animals

Most animals:

1. Have body parts.
2. Need food.
3. Need air.
4. Grow.
5. Move in some way.

F: LESSON PRESENTATION

F1: Teachers’ Activities

1. Shows different animal pictures.
2. Identifies body coverings.
3. Discusses parts used for movement.
4. Explains feeding structures.
5. Guides pupils to compare animals.
6. Discusses similarities among animals.

F2: Pupils’ Activities

1. Observe animal pictures.
2. Name body coverings.
3. Identify parts used for movement.
4. Describe feeding structures.
5. Compare animals by size, shape and colour.
6. State similarities among animals.

G: CONCLUSION

The teacher explains that animals have different body features that help them live, feed and move in their habitats. Pupils are encouraged to observe common animals carefully and safely.

H: EVALUATION GUIDE

Pupils should be able to answer the following questions:

1. What covers the body of a bird?
2. What covers the body of a fish?
3. What does a fish use to swim?
4. What do birds use to fly?
5. Mention three ways animals may differ.
6. What body covering does a dog have?
7. Mention two similarities among animals.