Changes in Plants and Animals (I)
TOPIC: Changes in Plants and Animals
SUBTOPIC: Changes in Plants – Conditions for Changes in Plants
CLASS: PRIMARY 4
DATE: ____________________
PERIOD: ____________________
DURATION: 40 minutes
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
- Observe and describe common changes in plants.
- Explain the reasons why plants change.
- List the conditions necessary for plant changes.
- Relate changes in plants to daily life.
KEY VOCABULARY WORDS: germination, sprouting, flowering, fruiting, wilting, growth.
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:
- Real potted plants (one healthy, one wilted)
- Chart showing stages of plant growth
- Pictures of trees in different seasons
- Seeds for demonstration (beans, maize)
CONTENT OF THE LESSON:
Meaning of Changes in Plants:
Changes in plants happen when plants grow, develop, or die. These changes can be seen in their size, shape, colour, or parts.
Examples of Changes in Plants:
- Germination – a seed starts growing into a seedling.
- Sprouting – new leaves and stems grow.
- Flowering – plants produce flowers.
- Fruiting – flowers turn into fruits.
- Wilting – leaves droop due to lack of water.
- Shedding leaves – trees lose leaves during dry season or autumn.
Reasons for Changes in Plants:
- Growth and maturity
- Change in seasons (rainy or dry)
- Availability of water, sunlight, and nutrients
- Attacks by pests or diseases
Conditions Necessary for Changes in Plants:
- Water – for germination and growth
- Air – for respiration
- Sunlight – for making food through photosynthesis
- Nutrients – from the soil
- Space – to grow freely
Table: Conditions and Their Importance
Condition | Importance |
Water | Helps seeds germinate and keeps plants fresh |
Sunlight | Needed for making food (photosynthesis) |
Air | For breathing and energy production |
Nutrients | For healthy growth |
Space | Allows roots and stems to spread |
INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY:
Teacher shows pupils a healthy green plant and a wilted plant. Pupils describe the differences.
CLASS EXERCISE 1:
List three changes you can observe in plants.
CLASS EXERCISE 2:
Mention two reasons why a plant may wilt.
ASSIGNMENT (MCQs):
- The process where a seed begins to grow is called (a) sprouting (b) germination (c) flowering
- The turning of flowers into fruits is called (a) germination (b) fruiting (c) wilting
- Which of these is NOT needed for plant growth? (a) sunlight (b) soil (c) plastic
- A plant without enough water will (a) grow faster (b) wilt (c) flower immediately
- The process where leaves fall off trees is called (a) germination (b) shedding (c) wilting