Introduction to Science (Lesson note)

Subject: Basic Science
Class: JSS1 (Grade 7)
Topic: Introduction to Science
Duration: 40 minutes
Date: (To be inserted by teacher)
Theme: Science and You
Sub-topic: Introduction to Science
Teacher: (To be inserted by teacher)
Instructional Materials:

• Charts (branches of science)
• Flash cards (keywords: observe, experiment, etc.)
• Real-life science objects (e.g., thermometer, beaker)
• Marker and whiteboard

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Lesson Objectives and Lesson Content

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Objective 1: Define science correctly

Domain: Cognitive – Lower Order (Knowledge)
Specific Objective: By the end of the lesson, students should be able to define science correctly in their own words.

Lesson Content:

• Science is the systematic study of nature and how things around us work.
• It involves observing, experimenting, and drawing conclusions.
• Science helps us understand the world better.

Teaching Method:

• Explanation
• Questioning
• Repetition/chorusing

Teacher’s Activity:

• Writes the definition on the board.
• Uses flash cards with the words: observe, experiment, learn.
• Uses a short story of a child asking why the sky is blue to introduce science.

Students’ Activity:

• Repeat the definition.
• Copy into notebooks.
• Ask questions and give simple examples of science in daily life.

Assessment (Evaluation Questions):

• What is science?
• Mention one thing science helps us to do.

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Objective 2: Identify and list the main branches of science and give one example each

Domain: Cognitive – Middle Order (Comprehension/Classification)
Specific Objective: By the end of the lesson, students should be able to list at least three main branches of science and give one example of what each studies.

Lesson Content:

1. Biology – Study of living things (e.g., plants, animals)
2. Chemistry – Study of substances and how they change (e.g., water to steam)
3. Physics – Study of matter, energy, and forces (e.g., electricity, light)

Teaching Method:

• Discussion
• Use of visual aids (charts)
• Guided discovery

Teacher’s Activity:

• Shows chart of the branches of science with images.
• Gives everyday examples: plants (Biology), soap mixing (Chemistry), light bulb (Physics).
• Asks students to match items to the correct branch.

Students’ Activity:

• Copy the branches and examples.
• Participate in class matching activity.
• Ask for more examples.

Assessment (Evaluation Questions):

• Mention the three main branches of science.
• What does Biology study?
• Give an example of what Chemistry studies.

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Objective 3: Analyze and explain at least three importance of science in everyday life

Domain: Cognitive – Higher Order (Analysis)
Specific Objective: By the end of the lesson, students should be able to analyze and explain at least three importance of science in daily life.

Lesson Content:

1. Medicine – Cures and vaccines (e.g., malaria treatment)
2. Communication – Phones, internet, radio
3. Agriculture – Fertilizers, improved crops
4. Transportation – Cars, airplanes
5. Electricity – Lights, fans, appliances

Teaching Method:

• Guided discussion
• Brainstorming
• Use of real-life examples

Teacher’s Activity:

• Asks: “How has science helped you today?”
• Guides students to list and analyze how science affects their health, food, transport, and learning.
• Links science to common household items.

Students’ Activity:

• Share personal experiences (e.g., taking drugs, using phones).
• Record at least 3 ways science is important.
• Discuss in pairs or groups.

Assessment (Evaluation Questions):

• Why is science important in agriculture?
• Mention two ways science helps in our health.
• Give one importance of science in transport.

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Objective 4: Evaluate and outline the correct steps in the scientific method with real-life application

Domain: Cognitive – Higher Order (Evaluation/Application)
Specific Objective: By the end of the lesson, students should be able to list and explain the steps of the scientific method and apply it to a simple real-life example.

Lesson Content:

Steps in Scientific Method:

1. Observation – Noticing something (e.g., a leaking bottle)
2. Asking Questions – Why is it leaking?
3. Hypothesis – A guess: Maybe there is a hole.
4. Experiment – Fill the bottle with water to test.
5. Record Results – Water drips from the hole.
6. Conclusion – The bottle has a hole.

Teaching Method:

• Demonstration
• Inquiry-based learning
• Problem-solving

Teacher’s Activity:

• Demonstrates a simple experiment (e.g., testing which fruit has more juice – orange vs. lemon).
• Asks students to observe and guide them through the steps.

Students’ Activity:

• Observe and take part in experiment.
• Suggest hypotheses.
• Record outcomes and draw conclusions.
• Discuss in groups.

Assessment (Evaluation Questions):

• List the steps of the scientific method.
• In your own words, explain what a hypothesis is.
• Apply the steps to another situation (e.g., why a plant is dying).

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Summary (Conclusion):

• Science is the study of nature and how things work.
• It has three main branches: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
• Science is important in health, farming, transport, and communication.
• The scientific method helps us solve problems through observation and testing.

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Evaluation Questions (General Recap):

1. What is science?
2. Name the three main branches of science.
3. Mention two importance of science in everyday life.
4. List the steps of the scientific method.
5. What step comes after making an observation?

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Assignment:

• Homework: List two other branches of science (apart from the three discussed) and explain what they study.
  (Hint: Think of Environmental science, Astronomy, etc.)

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