TOPIC: PREPARATION OF COMPOST MANURE
A: TEACHING AND LEARNING MATERIALS
- Dry leaves.
- Dry grass.
- Kitchen waste.
- Animal dung.
- Soil.
- Watering can.
- Shovel.
- Compost pit or container.
B: REFERENCE MATERIALS
- Scheme of work.
- Recommended Agric Sciences textbook for Primary 4.
- Online educational resources.
C: PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE
The pupils have learnt that compost manure can add nutrients to the soil and improve soil fertility.
D: PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
- Explain compost manure.
- State the importance of compost.
- Name materials used in making compost.
- Identify suitable compost materials.
- State the two common methods of making compost.
E: CONTENT
Meaning of Compost Manure
Compost manure is manure made from decayed plant and animal materials. It is a natural fertilizer.
Importance of Compost Manure
Compost manure:
- Adds nutrients to the soil.
- Improves soil structure.
- Helps soil hold water.
- Makes use of farm and household waste.
- Supports healthy crop growth.
Materials Used for Compost Making
Suitable materials include:
- dry leaves
- dry grass
- weeds without seeds
- vegetable waste
- fruit peels
- animal dung
- wood ash
- soil
- water
🍂 + 🥬 + 🐐 dung + soil + water = compost
Materials That Should Not Be Used
Avoid:
- plastic
- glass
- metal
- stones
- harmful chemicals
These materials do not decay easily.
Methods of Making Compost
The two common methods are:
- Pit method
- Heap method
Pit Method
A pit is dug in the ground and compost materials are placed inside it.
Heap Method
Compost materials are arranged in a heap above the ground.
F: LESSON PRESENTATION
F1: Teachers’ Activities
- Explains compost manure.
- Displays compost materials.
- Guides pupils to separate useful and unsuitable materials.
- Explains the importance of compost.
- Describes the pit method.
- Describes the heap method.
F2: Pupils’ Activities
- Explain compost manure.
- Identify compost materials.
- Sort suitable and unsuitable materials.
- Name the methods of compost making.
- State the importance of compost manure.
G: CONCLUSION
The teacher revises the meaning, importance, materials and methods of compost making. The teacher encourages pupils to collect biodegradable waste instead of littering their surroundings.
H: EVALUATION GUIDE
Pupils should be able to answer the following questions:
- What is compost manure?
- State three importance of compost manure.
- Name five materials used to make compost.
- Name three materials that should not be added to compost.
- Name the two methods of compost making.
- What is the pit method?