The SSS 1 Agricultural Science Scheme of Work for the second term focuses on essential agricultural practices, ecological concepts, and the physical environment affecting crop production. It is designed to provide students with a foundational understanding of key agricultural concepts, from cultural practices to soil formation and weathering.
SSS 1 Agricultural Science Scheme of Work for Second Term
| Week | Topic | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Terminologies of Cultural Practices in Crop Production | Introduction to basic terms and concepts used in crop production, including tillage, planting, irrigation, and harvesting. |
| Week 2 | Terminologies of Cultural Practices in Crop Production (Continued) | Further exploration of terms related to crop management, such as weeding, crop rotation, and pest control. |
| Week 3 | Husbandry and Cultivation of Some Selected Crops | Detailed study of crop cultivation methods, focusing on selected crops like maize, yam, and cassava. |
| Week 4 | Agricultural Ecology | Understanding the relationship between crops, animals, and the environment, including ecological zones and their impact on farming. |
| Week 5 | Rock Formation | Study of rock types, their formation processes, and their significance to soil quality and agricultural production. |
| Week 6 | Rock Weathering | Exploration of weathering processes, how rocks break down to form soil, and the role of weathering in agriculture. |
| Week 7 | Factors of Soil Formation | Understanding the factors that contribute to soil formation, including parent material, climate, and biological activity. |
| Week 8 | Revision | Comprehensive revision of the topics covered during the term to reinforce learning. |
| Week 9 | Examination | Final examination assessing knowledge of the topics taught in the second term. |
Week 1: Terminologies of Cultural Practices in Crop Production
Explanation:
This week introduces students to the key terms and concepts used in crop production. Understanding these terms will provide the foundation for more detailed agricultural studies.
Examples:
- Tillage: The process of preparing soil for planting, often involving plowing or harrowing.
- Planting: The process of sowing seeds or seedlings in the soil to grow crops.
- Irrigation: The application of water to crops to support their growth, especially in areas with insufficient rainfall.
- Harvesting: The process of gathering mature crops from the field.
- Weeding: The act of removing unwanted plants (weeds) from crop fields to ensure that crops can grow without competition.
- Fertilization: The addition of nutrients to the soil to enhance crop growth and yield.
Week 2: Terminologies of Cultural Practices in Crop Production (Continued)
Explanation:
This week continues the exploration of key terms related to crop management. Students will learn about practices that ensure healthy crop growth and optimal yield.
Examples:
- Crop Rotation: The practice of growing different crops in a specific sequence to maintain soil fertility and reduce pest buildup.
- Pest Control: Methods used to protect crops from pests, including chemical treatments, biological control, and cultural practices.
- Mulching: The application of organic or inorganic materials to the soil surface to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil fertility.
- Pruning: The selective removal of parts of plants to promote healthy growth and improve crop yield.
- Transplanting: The process of moving seedlings from one location to another, typically from a nursery to the field.
- Companion Planting: Planting different crops together to encourage growth and provide mutual benefits, such as pest control or improved soil conditions.
Week 3: Husbandry and Cultivation of Some Selected Crops
Explanation:
This week focuses on the cultivation practices for some of the most important crops. Students will learn about the specific requirements for planting, growing, and harvesting crops like maize, yam, and cassava.
Examples:
- Maize Cultivation: Understanding the planting season, soil type, spacing, and care needed to grow maize.
- Cassava Cultivation: The requirements for planting cassava, including soil preparation, spacing, and pest management.
- Yam Cultivation: Techniques for planting and caring for yams, including mound formation and pest control methods.
- Rice Cultivation: The processes involved in growing rice, including land preparation, planting, and irrigation.
- Vegetable Crops: An introduction to cultivating vegetables like tomatoes and peppers, focusing on soil fertility and pest control.
- Crop Disease Management: Methods for preventing and controlling diseases in crops, including the use of resistant varieties and treatments.
Week 4: Agricultural Ecology
Explanation:
Agricultural ecology studies the interactions between crops, animals, and the environment. Students will learn about ecological zones and how they influence agricultural practices.
Examples:
- Ecological Zones: Understanding different agricultural zones, such as tropical, temperate, and arid regions, and how they affect crop production.
- Soil and Climate: The role of soil types and climatic conditions in determining the suitability of crops.
- Biodiversity: The importance of maintaining biodiversity in farming systems for sustainable agriculture.
- Ecosystem Services: The benefits provided by ecosystems, such as pollination, water purification, and soil fertility.
- Environmental Impact: Understanding the environmental effects of agricultural practices, including soil erosion, deforestation, and water pollution.
- Sustainable Farming: Practices that minimize environmental impact, such as organic farming and integrated pest management.
Week 5: Rock Formation
Explanation:
This week introduces students to the types of rocks and their formation processes. Understanding rock formation is important because it influences soil characteristics, which directly affect crop growth.
Examples:
- Igneous Rocks: Formed from the cooling of molten magma, these rocks are often rich in minerals that can affect soil fertility.
- Sedimentary Rocks: Rocks formed by the deposition of material over time, often containing fossils and other materials that influence soil properties.
- Metamorphic Rocks: Rocks that have been changed by heat and pressure, affecting the minerals available in the soil.
- Granite: A type of igneous rock commonly found in farming regions and its impact on soil.
- Limestone: A sedimentary rock that can increase soil pH when used as a soil amendment.
- Sandstone: A common sedimentary rock that influences the texture of the soil in farming regions.
Week 6: Rock Weathering
Explanation:
Weathering is the process by which rocks break down into smaller particles, which contribute to soil formation. Students will learn about both physical and chemical weathering.
Examples:
- Physical Weathering: The breakdown of rocks into smaller particles due to physical forces such as wind, water, and temperature changes.
- Chemical Weathering: The breakdown of rocks caused by chemical reactions, such as the dissolution of minerals in water.
- Frost Wedging: A physical weathering process where water enters cracks in rocks, freezes, and causes the rock to break apart.
- Oxidation: A chemical weathering process where minerals in rocks react with oxygen, leading to rust formation.
- Hydrolysis: A chemical weathering process where minerals react with water to form new minerals and compounds.
- Soil Formation: How weathered rocks contribute to the formation of soil, which is essential for crop production.
Week 7: Factors of Soil Formation
Explanation:
Soil formation is a complex process influenced by various factors. This week, students will explore these factors and how they affect soil quality for agriculture.
Examples:
- Parent Material: The underlying rock or mineral from which soil is formed.
- Climate: Temperature, precipitation, and humidity influence the rate of weathering and soil development.
- Biological Activity: The role of organisms such as plants, animals, and microorganisms in soil formation.
- Topography: The shape and slope of the land affect soil formation, erosion, and drainage.
- Time: The length of time that soil has been forming influences its maturity and fertility.
- Human Activity: Agricultural practices, deforestation, and urbanization can impact soil formation and quality.
Week 8: Revision
Explanation:
This week will focus on reviewing all the topics covered during the term. Students will consolidate their knowledge and ensure they are prepared for the examination.
Week 9: Examination
Explanation:
The examination will assess students’ understanding of all the topics covered during the term. It will test both theoretical knowledge and practical application in agricultural science.
