Habitats I (Lesson note)

Detailed Lesson Note

Subject: Basic Science
Class: JSS 2 (Grade 8)
Topic: Habitats 1

Week: Two

Subtopic: Step 1: Meaning of Habitat
Theme: Living Things in the Environment
Duration: 40 minutes
Date: To be inserted by the teacher
Average Age: 12 – 13 years
Sex: Mixed
Instructional Materials: Charts/pictures of habitats, models of plants and animals, whiteboard, marker, textbook, video clip on animals in their habitats (if available).

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Lesson Objectives

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

1. Define habitat correctly and mention at least two examples. (Knowledge – Lower domain)
2. Identify and describe three types of habitats with examples of organisms in each. (Comprehension/Application – Middle domain)
3. Explain at least two adaptations of living things to their habitats with examples. (Analysis – Higher domain)
4. Discuss at least two relationships between organisms in the same habitat (e.g., competition, symbiosis). (Evaluation – Higher domain)

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Lesson Presentation (40 minutes)

Steps	Teacher’s Activities	Learners’ Activities	Evaluation	Time
Introduction	Greets the students warmly. Asks: “Where do you live? Where do fish, camels, and birds live?” Uses their answers to introduce the concept of habitat. Writes the topic on the board.	Students respond to questions and share answers. Some say “I live in a house,” “Fish live in water,” etc.	What is today’s topic?	5 mins
Step 1: Meaning of Habitat	Explains: “A habitat is the natural home of an organism where it finds food, water, shelter, and mates.” Gives examples: pond, desert, forest.	Students listen, repeat the definition, and give examples from their environment (e.g., “goat lives in grassland”).	Define habitat and give one example.	5 mins
Step 2: Types of Habitats	Explains three main types:

1. Terrestrial (land) – desert, forest, grassland. Examples: camel, lion, lizard.
2. Aquatic (water) – pond, river, ocean. Examples: fish, crab, frog.
3. Arboreal (tree/air) – trees, air. Examples: birds, monkeys.
   Uses charts/pictures to illustrate. | Students classify organisms (camel, fish, eagle, lizard) into correct habitats. Participate in a short matching activity on the board. | Mention two types of habitats and examples of organisms in each. | 8 mins |
   
   
4. | Step 3: Adaptations of Living Things | Explains adaptations with examples:

• Fish breathe with gills.
• Camel stores water in humps for desert survival.
• Cactus stores water in thick stem and has spines.
  Guides group work: “Discuss how frogs or cactus survive in their environment.” | Students discuss in pairs and share answers. E.g., “Frogs have moist skin to live in water and on land.” | State one adaptation of fish to water habitat. | 10 mins |
  
  
• | Step 4: Relationships Between Organisms | Explains relationships:
• Competition – goat and cow compete for grass.
• Predation – lion hunts zebra.
• Symbiosis – cleaner fish lives on shark.
  Draws a simple food chain on board: Grass → Goat → Lion. | Students give examples from their environment. Role-play predator-prey (lion vs goat). | Mention one relationship between organisms and give an example. | 10 mins |
  | Conclusion | Summarizes:
• Meaning of habitat
• Types of habitats
• Adaptations
• Relationships between organisms. | Students answer quick oral revision questions: “What is a habitat? Give one type and example.” | What are the four things we learnt today? | 2 mins |

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Evaluation Questions (for the class)

1. What is a habitat? Give one example.
2. Mention two types of habitat and an example of an organism in each.
3. State one adaptation of camel to desert life.
4. Mention one type of relationship between organisms and give an example.

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Assignment

1. Write out 5 living organisms and state their habitats.
2. Draw and label a simple food chain from your environment.

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