Environmental Hazard II – Deforestation (Lesson note)

Subject: Basic Science

Class: JSS 3 (Grade 9)
Theme: Environmental Hazards
Topic: Environmental Hazard 2 – Deforestation
Sub-topic: Meaning, Reasons, Effects, and Regulations on Deforestation

Week: One
Duration: 40 minutes
Date: To be inserted by the teacher
Period: 2 and 3 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Teacher’s Name: To be inserted by the teacher

---

🎯 Performance Objectives

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

1. Define deforestation correctly and give at least one example. (Knowledge – Lower Order)
2. Explain at least three reasons why deforestation occurs. (Comprehension – Middle Order)
3. Analyze three negative effects of deforestation on the environment. (Analysis – Higher Order)
4. Evaluate at least two regulations aimed at controlling deforestation. (Evaluation – Higher Order)

---

🧠 Previous Knowledge

Students have learned about environmental hazards such as erosion, flooding, and pollution.

---

🚪 Entry Behavior

Students have observed or heard about forests being cut down in their communities or in the news.

---

📚 Instructional Materials

• Charts showing forests before and after deforestation
• Flashcards showing causes and effects
• Short video clips or images of deforestation
• Whiteboard and marker
• JSS 3 Basic Science Textbook (NERDC)

---

🔄 Lesson Development

---

Step 1: Introduction (5 minutes)

Teacher’s Activities:

• Greet the students warmly.
• Introduce the topic: "Today we are going to discuss one of the most serious environmental problems — deforestation."
• Ask lead-in questions:
• “Have you seen a forest before?”
• “What do you think happens when all the trees in a forest are removed?”

Students’ Activities:

• Respond to questions based on their experiences.
• Show interest in the topic.

Teaching Method: Question and Answer
Learning Domain: Affective (Interest, Curiosity)

---

✅ Objective 1: Meaning of Deforestation (5 minutes)

Domain: Cognitive – Knowledge (Lower Order)

Instructional Content:

• Deforestation is the cutting down or clearing of forests without replacing the trees.
• Examples: Clearing forests to build roads or farmlands without planting new trees.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Write the definition of deforestation on the board.
• Show a chart of a forested area before and after clearing.
• Give local examples (e.g., bush clearing for farming).

Students’ Activities:

• Copy the definition into their notebooks.
• Repeat the definition aloud.
• Give one example from their environment.

Evaluation Questions:

• What is deforestation?
• Give one example of deforestation.

---

✅ Objective 2: Reasons for Deforestation (7 minutes)

Domain: Cognitive – Comprehension (Middle Order)

Instructional Content:

• Main reasons include:
1. Agricultural activities (e.g., clearing land for farming)
2. Logging (cutting trees for timber or paper)
3. Urbanization (building roads, houses, industries)
4. Fuelwood collection (especially in rural areas)

Teacher’s Activities:

• Explain each reason with relatable examples.
• Use flashcards showing images of each activity.
• Ask students to give local examples (e.g., clearing land for cassava farms).

Students’ Activities:

• Listen and take notes.
• Mention reasons they know from experience.
• Participate in discussion.

Evaluation Questions:

• Mention and explain three reasons why people cut down forests.
• Why is urbanization a cause of deforestation?

---

✅ Objective 3: Effects on the Environment (10 minutes)

Domain: Cognitive – Analysis (Higher Order)

Instructional Content:

• Negative effects of deforestation include:
1. Soil erosion – the topsoil is washed away.
2. Loss of animal and plant habitat – leading to extinction.
3. Flooding – no trees to absorb rainwater.
4. Desertification – land becomes dry and infertile.
5. Climate change – increase in carbon dioxide due to fewer trees.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Use images/video clips showing the consequences of tree removal.
• Draw a cause-effect diagram on the board.
• Ask students: "What do you think happens when trees are no longer there to hold the soil?"

Students’ Activities:

• Observe visuals and relate them to real-life situations.
• Identify effects and explain how they impact the environment.
• Link causes to consequences.

Evaluation Questions:

• State and explain three negative effects of deforestation.
• How does deforestation lead to flooding?

---

✅ Objective 4: Regulations on Deforestation (8 minutes)

Domain: Cognitive – Evaluation (Higher Order)

Instructional Content:

• Examples of regulations and solutions:
1. NESREA laws – National laws that protect the environment.
2. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) – required before large projects.
3. Tree planting campaigns – e.g., Green Nigeria Project.
4. Creation of forest reserves and national parks.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Explain the purpose of each regulation.
• Ask students: "What laws do you know that help protect the environment?"
• Discuss how effective these laws are and what can be improved.

Students’ Activities:

• Identify laws they know.
• Share ideas on how to reduce deforestation.
• Discuss the effectiveness of government efforts.

Evaluation Questions:

• Mention two government regulations that help prevent deforestation.
• Do you think the laws are working well? Why or why not?

---

🔚 Step 3: Summary & Conclusion (3 minutes)

Teacher’s Activities:

• Summarize the lesson:
• Deforestation means clearing forests without replacing the trees.
• It is caused by farming, building, and logging.
• It leads to erosion, flooding, climate change, etc.
• Government laws and policies can help control deforestation.
• Encourage students to be part of the solution by planting trees.

Students’ Activities:

• Say what they learned.
• Ask final questions.

---

✅ Step 4: Evaluation (2 minutes)

Ask students the following questions orally or in writing:

1. Define deforestation.
2. List two reasons why people cut down trees.
3. State two effects of deforestation.
4. Mention one law or regulation that protects forests.

---

📌 Assignment

Instruction:
In your own words, write five ways deforestation affects the environment and suggest two ways to reduce it. Use full sentences and examples. Submit in the next class.

---