Classes and Uses of Crops (II) (Lesson note)

Detailed Lesson Note

Subject: Agricultural Science
Class: JSS 1 (Grade 7)
Duration: 40 minutes

Week: Ten
Topic: Classes and Uses of Crops
Sub-topic: Classification of Crops Based on Their Life Cycle
Date: To be inserted by the teacher
Period: To be inserted by the teacher

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Instructional Objectives:

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

1. Define crop classification based on life cycle correctly. (Knowledge – Lower Domain)
2. Identify and give at least two examples of annuals, biennials, and perennials. (Comprehension/Application – Middle Domain)
3. Differentiate between annual, biennial, and perennial crops by stating their unique features. (Analysis – Higher Domain)
4. Classify a list of crops into annual, biennial, and perennial groups in a group activity. (Application/Creation – Higher Domain)

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Instructional Materials/Resources:

• Flashcards or charts showing crops
• Real crop samples or pictures (maize, yam, carrot, mango, cocoa)
• Chalkboard/whiteboard, chalk/marker

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Reference Materials:

• JSS1 Agricultural Science Textbook
• Teacher’s Agric Science Lesson Notes

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Lesson Development

Step 1: Introduction (5 minutes)

• Teacher enters the class, greets students, and settles them down.
• Teacher asks a lead-in question:
  “How long does maize take before it is harvested? What about yam or mango?”
• Teacher uses responses to introduce the lesson: Crops can be grouped based on how long they take to grow, mature, and complete their life cycle.

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Step 2: Presentation (25 minutes)

(a) Teacher’s Activity (Explanation) – 10 minutes

• Teacher explains that crops can be classified according to their life cycle into three groups:

1. Annual Crops
• Complete their life cycle within one season or one year.
• They germinate, grow, flower, fruit, and die within the same year.
• Examples: maize, rice, beans, groundnut, pepper.
2. Biennial Crops
• Complete their life cycle in two years.
• First year: grow leaves, stems, and roots (vegetative stage).
• Second year: flower, produce fruits/seeds, and die.
• Examples: carrot, onion, cabbage, beetroot.
3. Perennial Crops
• Live for more than two years.
• Produce fruits or yield every year for many years before they die.
• Examples: yam, cocoa, oil palm, mango, orange.

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(b) Teacher’s Activity (Demonstration) – 5 minutes

• Teacher shows charts/flashcards or real crop samples.
• Teacher asks: “Which group does maize belong to? What about cocoa?”
• Teacher places samples/pictures under correct classification.

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(c) Students’ Activity (Group Work) – 10 minutes

• Teacher divides class into small groups.
• Gives each group a list of crops (e.g., maize, yam, mango, rice, carrot, cocoa, beans, onion).
• Students classify the crops into annual, biennial, and perennial.
• Groups present their findings; teacher corrects and reinforces.

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Step 3: Evaluation (7 minutes)
Teacher asks oral/written questions to check understanding:

1. Define crop classification based on life cycle.
2. Mention two examples each of annual, biennial, and perennial crops.
3. Differentiate between biennial and perennial crops.
4. Classify the following crops into their correct group:
• (a) Maize
• (b) Onion
• (c) Cocoa

(Teacher listens to answers, corrects where necessary, and marks responses as feedback.)

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Step 4: Conclusion (3 minutes)

• Teacher summarizes the lesson:
• Crops can be classified based on life cycle into annual, biennial, and perennial crops.
• Annual crops complete their cycle in one year, biennials in two years, and perennials live for many years.
• Teacher emphasizes the importance of classification for farmers in planning planting and harvesting.

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Assignment (to be done at home):

List five crops grown in your locality and classify them according to their life cycle.