The Nervous System and Sense Organs (Lesson note)

DETAILED LESSON NOT
Class: JSS 3 (Grade 9)
Subject: Basic Science

Week: Eight
Topic: The Nervous System and Sense Organs
Duration: 40 minutes
Date: To be inserted by teacher
Average Age: 13–15 years

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Instructional Objectives

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

1. Define the nervous system correctly. (Lower domain – Knowledge)
2. Differentiate between the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS), giving at least one function of each. (Middle domain – Understanding/Application)
3. Identify and explain the five human sense organs and analyze their functions in daily life. (Higher domain – Analysis)

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Instructional Materials

• Chart/diagram of the human nervous system
• Chart/diagram of the human sense organs
• Whiteboard and marker
• Textbook

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Entry Behaviour

Students already know that the body responds to touch, sound, taste, smell, and light.

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Lesson Development

Step I: Introduction (5 minutes)

• Teacher greets the students.
• Teacher asks: “What happens when you mistakenly touch a hot object?”
• Expected responses: “I quickly remove my hand”, “I shout”, “It pains me.”
• Teacher explains that these quick reactions are controlled by the nervous system and sense organs.
• Teacher writes the topic on the board.

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Step II: Presentation (25 minutes)

Objective 1: Meaning of Nervous System (5 minutes)

• Teacher’s Activity:
• Defines the nervous system as the body system that controls and coordinates all activities and helps the body respond to changes in the environment.
• Explains that it works like a communication network of the body.
• Students’ Activity:
• Repeat the definition.
• Give simple examples like “seeing a ball”, “hearing the bell”, “smelling food”.

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Objective 2: Central and Peripheral Nervous System (10 minutes)

• Teacher’s Activity:
• Explains the two main divisions:
• Central Nervous System (CNS): Made up of the brain and spinal cord. It controls thinking, memory, movement, and coordination.
• Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): Made up of all nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. It connects the CNS to the rest of the body.
• Uses a chart to show the difference.
• Gives an example: “When you hear the school bell, the ear sends the message to the CNS (brain), then the PNS tells your body to move.”
• Students’ Activity:
• Observe the diagram.
• Mention one function of CNS and one function of PNS.
• Discuss how both work together when responding to sound or touch.

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Objective 3: Sense Organs (10 minutes)

• Teacher’s Activity:
• Displays chart of the five sense organs.
• Explains their functions:
1. Eye – sight
2. Ear – hearing
3. Nose – smell
4. Tongue – taste
5. Skin – touch
• Asks: “What would happen if one sense organ is not working?”
• Students’ Activity:
• Identify the five sense organs.
• Discuss examples: Blindness when the eye fails, deafness when the ear fails, loss of taste or smell, loss of feeling.
• Analyze how sense organs help in daily life (e.g., eye helps in reading, ear helps in hearing instructions).

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Step III: Conclusion (5 minutes)

• Teacher’s Activity: Summarizes:
• Meaning of nervous system
• CNS and PNS and their functions
• Five sense organs and their roles
• Students’ Activity: Repeat the key points after the teacher for reinforcement.

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Evaluation (5 minutes)

Teacher asks:

1. What is the nervous system?
2. State one difference between the CNS and PNS.
3. List the five sense organs and their functions.

(Students respond orally and in writing.)

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Assignment

1. Write three differences between the CNS and PNS in your notebook.
2. Mention two ways of caring for each of the five sense organs.