Basic 4 BST – Third Term: Complete Lesson Notes & Scheme of Work

Week-by-week lesson notes for Nigerian Primary 4 pupils | BST Third Term | Simple Machines, Vehicles, Food & Nutrition, Safety and more

📋 Third Term Scheme of Work

Week 1

Simple Machines

Basic 4 BST third Term Lesson Note – Primary 4 Basic Science

Sub-topic: Types and Uses of Simple Machines  |  Duration: 40 Minutes  |  Related: Week 2 – Shape Construction →

Instructional Materials

A bottle opener; a pair of scissors; a small pulley or a picture of a well; a smooth wooden plank to show an inclined plane; a toy car or a wheelbarrow; a hammer.

Definition of Simple Machines

A simple machine is a tool that makes our work easier and faster by allowing us to use less force to move an object. Simple machines do not have many moving parts. They help us lift heavy loads, cut materials, or move things from one place to another with less effort.

Types of Simple Machines

1. The Lever: This is a stiff bar that turns around a fixed point called a fulcrum. It is used to lift loads or cut things. Examples: scissors, see-saw, crowbar, and bottle opener.
2. The Pulley: This consists of a wheel with a groove for a rope or cable. It is used to lift heavy objects straight up. Examples: flagpoles, and buckets used to draw water from a well.
3. The Inclined Plane: This is a slanting or sloping surface used to move heavy loads to a higher level. Examples: ramps for wheelchairs, and playground slides.
4. The Wheel and Axle: This consists of a wheel attached to a central rod called the axle. When the wheel turns, the axle also turns. Examples: door knobs, car steering wheels, and bicycle pedals.

How Simple Machines Make Work Easier

• By changing the direction of force: A pulley allows you to pull down to lift an object up.
• By increasing the force: A lever allows you to lift a very heavy stone that you could not lift with your hands alone.
• By increasing the distance: An inclined plane (ramp) allows you to push a heavy box up slowly instead of lifting it straight up.

Importance of Simple Machines

1. They save time during work.
2. They reduce the amount of physical energy or effort we use.
3. They make it possible to do tasks that would be impossible for humans to do alone.
4. They increase safety when moving heavy or dangerous objects.

Other Lessons for Basic 4:

BST Primary 4 First Term

Lesson Presentation

• Step 1 – Introduction: The teacher tries to open a bottle with bare hands and fails, then uses a bottle opener to show how a simple tool makes the task easy.
• Step 2 – Explanation: The teacher defines simple machines and explains the four main types using the instructional materials brought to class.
• Step 3 – Pupil Participation: Pupils identify simple machines in their school bags (such as a sharpener or scissors) and explain how each one helps them.
• Step 4 – Evaluation and Conclusion: The teacher summarizes the lesson by emphasizing that machines do not do the work for us but make the work easier to do.

Week 2

Shape Construction with Paper, Wood or Metal

Sub-topic: Basic Shapes and Construction Tools  |  Related: ← Week 1 – Simple Machines  |  Week 3 – Vehicles →

Instructional Materials

Samples of basic shapes (square, triangle, circle); cardboard, thin wood pieces, and metal sheets; ruler and measuring tape; scissors and a small handsaw; glue, nails, and masking tape; a hammer and a pair of pliers.

Basic Shapes and Their Properties

Before building any object, we must understand the basic shapes. Most things around us are made from these four shapes:

1. Square: Has four equal sides and four corners.
2. Rectangle: Has four sides where opposite sides are equal.
3. Triangle: Has three sides and three corners.
4. Circle: A round shape with no corners.

Materials for Construction

We can build models and objects using different materials, depending on how strong we want them to be:

1. Paper and Cardboard: Easy to fold and cut; used for light models like boxes or paper planes.
2. Wood: Stronger than paper; used for building furniture and house models.
3. Metal: Very strong and durable; used for making vehicles, roofs, and containers.

Tools for Construction

To build shapes and models, we use various tools. Each tool has a specific job:

How to Construct Models

1. Plan the object and draw the shape on the material.
2. Measure carefully to make sure the sides are correct.
3. Cut out the shapes using the appropriate tool.
4. Join the parts together using glue or nails.

Safety When Using Construction Tools

Construction tools can be dangerous if not handled carefully. These safety rules must be followed:

1. Do not play or run with sharp tools like scissors or saws.
2. Always use a cutting board or flat surface when cutting materials.
3. Wear gloves or eye goggles when working with wood or metal.
4. Keep your fingers away from the path of the saw or the hammer’s head.
5. Always return tools to their proper storage box after use.

Lesson Presentation

• Step 1 – Introduction: The teacher shows pupils a finished cardboard house and asks them to identify the shapes they see, such as a triangular roof and rectangular doors.
• Step 2 – Explanation: The teacher explains the different materials and demonstrates how to use a ruler and pencil to mark out a square on cardboard.
• Step 3 – Pupil Participation: Pupils are given pieces of cardboard to cut out basic shapes and join them to form a simple cube.
• Step 4 – Evaluation and Conclusion: The teacher emphasizes safety rules and explains why measuring is the most important step in construction.

Week 3

Vehicles

Sub-topic: Types and Parts of Vehicles  |  Related: ← Week 2 – Shape Construction

Instructional Materials

Toy models of cars, airplanes, and boats; charts showing various means of transportation; pictures of a bicycle and a motorcycle; a diagram showing the parts of a car; road safety signs and symbols.

Definition of Vehicles

A vehicle is a machine used to carry people or goods from one place to another. Vehicles make travelling easier and faster, especially over long distances.

Types of Vehicles

Vehicles are grouped based on where they move:

1. Land Vehicles: These move on roads or tracks. Examples: cars, buses, bicycles, trains, and motorcycles.
2. Water Vehicles: These move on oceans, seas, and rivers. Examples: ships, boats, canoes, and submarines.
3. Air Vehicles: These move through the sky. Examples: airplanes, helicopters, and jets.

Parts of a Vehicle (The Car)

Most land vehicles have these essential parts:

How Vehicles Move

Vehicles require different sources of energy to move:

• Engines: Most cars, ships, and planes use fuel such as petrol, diesel, or jet fuel.
• Human Power: Bicycles and canoes move by people pedalling or paddling.
• Electricity: Modern electric cars and trains use batteries or electric rails.
• Animals: In some places, carts are pulled by horses or donkeys.

Road Safety Rules

To stay safe on the road, we must follow these rules:

1. Look left, right, and left again before crossing the road.
2. Use the pedestrian crossing (Zebra Crossing) where available.
3. Wear a seatbelt when inside a moving car.
4. Do not play on or near busy roads.
5. Obey traffic lights: Red means Stop, Yellow means Get Ready, and Green means Go.

Lesson Presentation

• Step 1 – Introduction: The teacher asks pupils how they got to school today and uses their answers to introduce the topic of vehicles.
• Step 2 – Explanation: The teacher explains the three categories of vehicles and uses toy models to show the parts of a car.
• Step 3 – Pupil Participation: Pupils name vehicles they have seen at the airport, seaport, or motor park and discuss the importance of wearing seatbelts.
• Step 4 – Evaluation and Conclusion: The teacher summarizes the lesson by listing the importance of vehicles and reviewing traffic light colours.