The Primary 4 Basic Science First Term Scheme of Work offers a comprehensive, NERDC-approved weekly roadmap that guides teaching and learning across Nigerian classrooms. This structured curriculum equips teachers with detailed lesson objectives and empowers parents to track their children’s academic progress confidently. It also helps pupils grasp essential scientific concepts through age-appropriate, real-world applications.
Each week, educators introduce pupils to foundational science topics, starting with a review of Primary 3 concepts. Teachers then explore core areas such as changes in nature, weather patterns, freezing and melting, life cycles of insects, plants and animals, and the importance of water in daily life. These lessons encourage young learners to observe, question, and interpret their environment scientifically.
The scheme emphasizes hands-on learning, allowing students to actively participate in demonstrations, simple experiments, and guided discussions. As pupils engage with these practical activities, they develop critical thinking, observation skills, and scientific curiosity that align with NERDC’s national learning standards.
Designed to serve both public and private schools, this first-term scheme ensures a smooth learning experience for every pupil regardless of location. It prepares students for future science challenges and lays a solid foundation for future science examination.
Whether you’re a teacher crafting weekly lesson plans or a parent supporting home study, this NERDC-compliant Primary 4 Basic Science syllabus guarantees structured delivery and measurable outcomes. From understanding weather symbols to exploring natural changes in plants and animals, this scheme strengthens pupils’ scientific thinking and sets them up for long-term academic success.
Primary 4 Basic Science Scheme of Work (Week 1–12)
| Week | Topic | Learning Objectives |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Revision of Primary 3 Basic Science | Recall and reinforce prior knowledge from Primary 3 |
| 2 | Changes in Nature (I) | Explain the meaning of change, identify types, and classify changes as temporary or permanent |
| 3 | Changes in Plants and Animals (I) | Describe plant changes, explain causes, and relate them to real life |
| 4 | Changes in Plants and Animals (II) | Identify animal changes, compare young and adult animals, and explain reasons for differences |
| 5 | Changes in Plants and Animals (III) | Identify insects, describe their life cycles, and draw/label them |
| 6 | Our Weather (I) | Define weather, identify factors affecting weather like sun, cloud, wind |
| 7 | Mid-Term Break | — |
| 8 | Our Weather (II) | Identify weather symbols and instruments, use them to record changes |
| 9 | Our Weather (III) | List standard instruments, explain their functions, improvise simple tools |
| 10 | Water | Explain evaporation, condensation, and freezing with examples |
| 11 | Revision | Review all topics taught in the term |
| 12 | Examination | Term assessment |
The Primary 4 Basic Science First Term Scheme of Work delivers a well-structured, NERDC-aligned curriculum that builds strong foundational science skills in young learners. It equips teachers with a detailed week-by-week guide, helping them introduce pupils to practical science topics through hands-on learning, real-life observation, and interactive class activities.
Educators begin the term by reviewing previous knowledge before exploring key topics like weather patterns, physical and chemical changes, life cycles of living things, and the significance of water in everyday life. Each lesson plan focuses on real-world applications, allowing pupils to connect science with their environment and daily experiences.
This NERDC-approved scheme encourages pupils to observe natural changes, ask questions, make predictions, and draw conclusions based on evidence. Teachers promote scientific observation, early critical thinking, and simple problem-solving strategies through engaging class experiments and group discussions.
By focusing on age-appropriate themes such as the importance of air, sources of water, and freezing and melting, the curriculum helps children understand the world around them. It also prepares them for formative assessments, mid-term tests, and long-term academic evaluations, including Common Entrance, NECO, and early WAEC foundational levels.
Parents can confidently use this scheme to monitor progress and support learning at home, while schools whether public or private, can rely on it to maintain national curriculum standards.
This Primary 4 Basic Science syllabus not only nurtures curiosity but also strengthens pupils’ grasp of basic science principles. By teaching children how to relate classroom knowledge to real life, the scheme ensures meaningful learning that drives academic success and fosters a lifelong interest in science.
How to Use the Scheme Effectively
For Teachers:
Structure your weekly lessons around the listed NERDC objectives in the Primary 4 Basic Science Scheme of Work. Use interactive teaching strategies such as class discussions, drawing activities, and labeling diagrams to promote active learning. Take students outside for direct observations of weather patterns, soil types, or plant life. Organize simple hands-on projects, such as drawing and labeling the life cycle of an insect or creating improvised tools to record temperature and rainfall. These strategies help reinforce real-life connections to science topics and improve retention for formative and summative assessments.
For Parents:
Support your child’s learning by connecting science lessons to everyday experiences. Discuss examples of natural changes like leaf fall, cloudy skies, or puddles after rain. Guide your child through home-based science activities such as observing a sprouting seed or measuring rainfall using a plastic bottle. Review their science notes and drawings every weekend, and ask them to explain what they’ve learned. Your involvement enhances curiosity and improves academic performance.
For Pupils:
Pay close attention during science lessons and don’t hesitate to ask questions. Practice drawing and labeling things like insect parts or weather instruments. Create a simple science journal where you write daily weather changes or track how a plant grows over time. Explore your surroundings; look at clouds, notice wet or dry ground, or spot insects. These simple observations help you understand your science topics better and prepare for tests confidently
Conclusion
The Primary 4 Basic Science First Term Scheme of Work offers a reliable, NERDC-approved structure for science education in Nigerian schools. It empowers teachers to plan effectively, supports parents in reinforcing learning at home, and guides pupils to build strong science skills. Share or bookmark this guide to help more educators and learners benefit from a curriculum-aligned, success-driven learning experience.
