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PRIMARY 4: BASIC SCIENCE – FIRST TERM | WEEK 4

Updated January 26, 2026Basic Science, First Term, Primary 4

TOPIC: CHANGES IN NON-LIVING THINGS

A: TEACHING AND LEARNING MATERIALS

  1. Nail or iron object.
  2. Ice cubes.
  3. Candle wax.
  4. Pieces of wood.
  5. Paper.
  6. Pictures of rusty objects.
  7. Pictures showing burning, melting and breaking.

B: REFERENCE MATERIALS

  1. Scheme of work.
  2. Recommended Basic Science textbook for Primary 4.
  3. Online educational resources.

C: PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE

The pupils have learnt about temporary and permanent changes and have observed changes in plants and animals.

D: PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES

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

  1. Identify non-living things.
  2. Mention changes that occur in non-living things.
  3. Explain rusting.
  4. Explain melting and solidification.
  5. Identify changes caused by burning and breaking.
  6. Classify changes in non-living things as temporary or permanent.

E: CONTENT

Non-Living Things

Non-living things are things that do not have life. Examples include:

  • Stones.
  • Tables.
  • Books.
  • Water.
  • Metals.
  • Glass.

Changes in Non-Living Things

Non-living things can change in different ways.

Rusting

Rusting is a change that occurs when iron is exposed to air and moisture for some time. The reddish-brown material formed is called rust. 🔩 Iron nail → Rusty nail Rusting is a permanent change.

Melting

Melting occurs when a solid changes into a liquid because of heat. Example: 🧊 Ice + Heat → 💧 Water

Solidification

Solidification occurs when a liquid changes into a solid. Example: 💧 Water + Cooling → 🧊 Ice

Burning

When paper or wood burns, ash and smoke are produced. 🔥 Paper → Ash Burning is a permanent change.

Breaking and Crushing

Objects such as glass, chalk and stones may break into smaller pieces. Breaking may cause a permanent physical change to the object.

F: LESSON PRESENTATION

F1: Teachers’ Activities

  1. Revises the meaning of non-living things.
  2. Shows pupils rusty and clean metal objects.
  3. Explains rusting.
  4. Demonstrates melting using ice where possible.
  5. Explains solidification.
  6. Discusses burning and breaking.
  7. Guides pupils to classify the changes.

F2: Pupils’ Activities

  1. Identify examples of non-living things.
  2. Observe rusty objects.
  3. Observe ice melting.
  4. Mention examples of melting and solidification.
  5. Identify changes caused by burning.
  6. Classify changes as temporary or permanent.

G: CONCLUSION

The teacher revises rusting, melting, solidification, burning and breaking as examples of changes in non-living things. Pupils are reminded that some changes can be reversed while others cannot.

H: EVALUATION GUIDE

Pupils should be able to answer the following questions:

  1. What are non-living things?
  2. What is rusting?
  3. Mention two things needed for iron to rust.
  4. What is melting?
  5. What is solidification?
  6. Is melting ice temporary or permanent?
  7. Is burning wood temporary or permanent?