PRIMARY 4: BASIC SCIENCE – SECOND TERM | WEEK 2

TOPIC: SOIL – CONSTITUENTS AND SOIL PROFILE

A: TEACHING AND LEARNING MATERIALS

1. Samples of soil.
2. Transparent containers.
3. Water.
4. Small stones.
5. Magnifying glass.
6. Pupils’ writing books and pencils.

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 seen soil around their homes and school and know that plants grow in soil.

D: PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES

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

1. Explain soil.
2. Identify materials found in soil.
3. State that soil contains air and water.
4. Identify living and dead materials in soil.
5. describe a simple soil profile.
6. Carry out simple activities showing that soil contains air and water.

E: CONTENT

Meaning of Soil

Soil is the loose material found on the surface of the earth in which plants grow.

Constituents of Soil

Soil contains:

1. Air.
2. Water.
3. Small stones.
4. Rock particles.
5. Dead plant materials.
6. Dead animal materials.
7. Living organisms.

Examples of organisms found in soil include:

• earthworms 🪱
• ants 🐜
• termites

Soil Contains Air

Put some dry soil into water. You may see bubbles rising from the soil. The bubbles show that air is present in the soil.

Soil Contains Water

Heat a little moist soil carefully. Drops of water may appear on a cool surface placed above it. This shows that soil contains water.

Soil Profile

A soil profile is a view showing the different layers of soil from top to bottom. A simple soil profile may include:

• topsoil
• subsoil
• weathered rock
• bedrock

F: LESSON PRESENTATION

F1: Teachers’ Activities

1. Shows pupils different soil samples.
2. Explains the meaning of soil.
3. Guides pupils to identify materials found in soil.
4. Demonstrates that soil contains air.
5. Demonstrates that soil contains water.
6. Explains a simple soil profile.
7. Draws the soil layers on the board.

F2: Pupils’ Activities

1. Observe soil samples.
2. Identify stones and plant remains in soil.
3. Observe bubbles from soil placed in water.
4. Observe evidence of water in soil.
5. Name organisms found in soil.
6. Draw a simple soil profile.
7. Answer oral questions.

G: CONCLUSION

The teacher revises the meaning and constituents of soil and explains the simple soil profile. The teacher encourages pupils to observe soil carefully without harming living organisms in it.

H: EVALUATION GUIDE

Pupils should be able to answer the following questions:

1. What is soil?
2. Mention four things found in soil.
3. How can we show that soil contains air?
4. Mention two living organisms found in soil.
5. What is a soil profile?
6. Name the top layer of soil.
7. Does soil contain water?
8. Mention one dead material that may be found in soil.