FIRST TERM BASIC SCIENCE SCHEME OF WORK FOR PRIMARY THREE (3)

SUB THEME: Learning About Our Environment

WEEK 1 – 2: MEASUREMENT OF LENGTH

TEACHERS’S ACTIVITIES:

1. Teacher leads pupils on the meanings of measurement and length.

She defines measurement as

She defines measurement as: the act or process of determining the dimension, quality or capacity etc. of something as ascertained by comparison with a standard.

Length is the measurement or end to end or along its longest sides. It uses metre as standard of measurement.

• She guides pupils to mention and describe the instrument used in measuring length e.g. metric rule, tape measure, etc.

Metric rule: is the use of a measuring instrument e.g. ruler.

Tape rule is a flexible ruler that consist of a ribbon of cloth, plastic fibre glass or metal strip with linear measurement markings.

• Teacher uses a chart showing metric rule and tape rule to reach to teach pupils the metric units. Of length on the chalkboard and asks pupils to learn from it.
• She demonstrates the correct ways of measuring length, breadth and heights of objects including their own heights.

PUPILS ACTIVITIES

1. Pupils Listen to teacher’s Explanation
2. They study the chart showing metric rule and tape rule.
3. They read and learn the metric units of length
4. They measure the length, breath and height of a table, desk, and books.
5. Pupils work in pairs, measure their heights.
6. They ask questions

TEACHING/LEARNING RESOURCES/AIDS

• Tape rule
• Metric rule
• Objects in classroom
• The pupils
• Charts on the standard of length.

WEEK 3 -4:  MEASUREMENT OF MASS

TEACHERS’S ACTIVITIES:

1. Teacher introduces the concept of mass by asking pupils to lift different  objects of varying sizes
2. She defines mass as the quantity or amount  of substance an object contains
3. She guides pupils in making a lever arm balance
4. She uses a chart showing the instrument of measuring metric units of mass e.g. lever arm balance, bathroom scale, spring balance to teach pupils the metric units of mass and the relationship between the units.
5. Teacher guides pupils on how to use lever arm balance and bathroom scale or any of the instruments that can be used to measure mass.
6. Se guides pupils to measure and record  their weights
7. She initiates a class discussion on standard instruments for measuring mass.
8. She guides pupils to estimate the mass of objects in the classroom

PUPILS ACTIVITIES:

1. Pupils lift various objects to get the concept of mass.
2. They listen to teachers’ explanation
3. They construct a lever arm balance  to estimate the mass of objects in their classroom
4. They read and learn the metric units of mass.
5. Pupils working in pairs and record their weights.

TEACHING/LEARNING RESOURCES/AIDS:

1. Lever arm balance
2. Objects in the classroom, the pupils
3. Chart of standard unit of mass, eraser, record book, rope stick.

WEEK 5 – 6:  MEASUREMENT OF TIME

TEACHERS’S ACTIVITIES:

1. Teacher uses questioning method to explain time. She defines time as:

Duration, precise instant or the interval between action or event.

• She guides pupils on the instrument or measuring time. I.e. clocks, stop watches.
• She displays posters and pictures of clocks and watches with different readings in seconds, minutes, and hours.
• She uses clock charts to teach  pupils on how to tell time
• Teacher explains the standard / metric units of measuring time. I.e. seconds, minutes and hours. She displays a table that shows the relationship between the units for pupils to learn.
• She guides pupils through activities involving measurement of time.

PUPILS ACTIVITIES:

1. Pupils listen to teacher’s explanation
2. They observe and comment on the posters on display
3. Read and learn the metric units of time.
4. Read a paragraph of any story from their book and record the time taken

TEACHING/LEARNING RESOURCES/AIDS:

1. Real wall clock
2. Watches
3. Stop clock
4. Textbook
5. Clock charts

WEEK 7:  Mid – term’s Revision and Test

TEACHERS’S ACTIVITIES: Mid – term’s Revision and Test

PUPILS ACTIVITIES: Mid – term’s Revision and Test

WEEK 8 -9:  SOIL (importance of soil to plant and animals)

TEACHERS’S ACTIVITIES:

1. Teacher briefly looks back at The meaning of soil: plant and animal
2. She displays pictures /posters of plant s and animals
3. She guides pupils to mention the importance  of soil to plant e.g.
4. Medium for plants growth
5. Source of nutrients (food ) and air
6.  Teacher takes pupils to school garden or surroundings to observe some plants and learn more about the importance of soil to plants.
7. Teacher guides pupils to mention the importance of soil to animals e.g.
8. Sources of food
9. Farming, etc.

• She initiates a class discussion to throw more light on the importance of soil to man.
• Teacher explains environmental importance of soil to man. E.g. checking erosion, beautifying the environment like roads, sport fields.

PUPILS ACTIVITIES:

1. Pupils participate  in the revision exercise
2. They listen to teacher’s explanation
3. They mention the importance of soil to plants and animals.
4. They explore the school garden or environment to identify importance of soil

TEACHING/LEARNING RESOURCES/AIDS:

1. School environment
2. Charts showing uses of soil e.g. roads, garden, sport field, etc.

WEEK 10 – 11:  AIR IN MOTION (wind)

TEACHERS’S ACTIVITIES:

1. Teacher guides pupils on the meaning and definition of air.

“The mixture of gases that surround the earth, and that we breathe”

•  She initiates and guides the pupils on the meaning of wind i.e air in motion or moving air, especially a natural and perceptible movement of air parallel to or along the ground.
• She leads the class to mention both good and bad effects of wind and asks the pupils to describe their feelings when wind blows against their bodies.
• Teacher demonstrates that air can do work by guiding the pupils on how to make and fly paper or polythene kites.
• She presents inflated balloons to lift objects.
• Teacher leads pupils to explain the importance of wind to people. E.g.
• It helps things to float in air
• It propels the balloons, kites and wind mills.
• It reduces heat and cools the body etc.
• She presents pictures of someone smoking, sneezing, coughing, (without covering the mouth with his hand), to explain harmful effect of air.
• She initiates and guides class discussion on the role of air in transferring harmful substances into body.

PUPILS ACTIVITIES:

1. Pupils listen to teacher’s explanation
2. They use paper or hand fans to show air in motion
3. They observe and describe the effects of wind on their body and light objects like feather, paper, cotton etc.
4. They make and fly paper kites
5. They make inflated  balloons to lift things
6. They discuss the role of air in smoking, coughing and sneezing.

TEACHING/LEARNING RESOURCES/AIDS:

• Pieces of paper
• Feathers
• Pictures
• Chart showing effects of wind
• Balloons
• Cardboard paper
• Pairs of scissors
• Gum
• Sticks
• thread

WEEK 12: REVISION AND EXAMINATION