New Revised NERDC JSS 1 Horticulture and Crop Production Scheme of Work
Week 1: Farm Tools and Safety Measures
1. Content: This week covers knowledge of types of farm tools including land clearing tools, tilling tools, seedbed tools, sowing tools, planting tools, transplanting tools, weeding tools, and harvesting tools. Students learn safety measures for farm tools usage including safe handling and proper maintenance.
2. Performance Objectives: Pupils should be able to identify farm tools, explain the uses of farm tools, draw farm tools, and observe safety measures on tools usage.
3. Learning Activities:
i. Teacher Activities: The teacher guides pupils in group discussions on farm tools, the teacher shows video clips on uses of farm tools, the teacher demonstrates safety measures for proper tool handling and maintenance.
ii. Learning Activities: The learners discuss and identify farm tools through charts such as rake, sickle, and axe in groups, the learners watch short videos on the uses of farm tools, the learners draw and label farm tools, the learners participate in whole class discussion on the safety measures for farm tools usage.
4. Teaching and Learning Resources: Hoe (scuffle) for weeding and soil preparation, local ridge maker for creating planting ridges, rake for leveling soil and gathering debris, cutlass for clearing vegetation, sickle for harvesting crops,
axe for cutting wood and tree branches, and charts showing various farm tools and their applications. These resources allow students to see actual tools and understand their practical applications in farming operations.
Week 2: Soil Texture
1. Content: Students learn about different types of soil texture including sand, clay, silt, and loam. The week covers the hydrometer test method for determining soil composition. Skills development focuses on conducting hydrometer tests and identifying soil texture components accurately.
2. Performance Objectives: Pupils should be able to take different soil samples, conduct hydrometer test, identify soil components, and label soil texture appropriately.
3. Learning Activities:
i. Teacher Activities: The teacher guides pupils in collecting soil samples from different locations, the teacher demonstrates the hydrometer test procedure, the teacher facilitates group discussions on soil components and their characteristics.
ii. Learning Activities: The learners take different soil samples in groups, the learners conduct hydrometer tests in groups, the learners identify soil components through hands-on examination, the learners label different soil textures based on test results.
4. Teaching and Learning Resources: Soil samples collected from various locations for comparison, soil triangle diagram for classification, hydrometer for measuring soil particle suspension, water for preparing soil suspensions,
labels for marking samples, charts showing soil components and their properties, video clips demonstrating soil texture analysis, whiteboard and markers for recording observations. These resources enable students to conduct practical soil analysis and understand soil composition through direct observation.
Week 3: Nursery Bed Preparation
1. Content: This week introduces the meaning and types of nursery beds used in horticultural production. Content covers site selection criteria including proximity to water sources, secured environment, and access to market.
Students learn site preparation activities such as clearing the site and tilling the soil, followed by actual preparation of nursery beds. The skill component emphasizes hands-on nursery bed construction.
2. Performance Objectives: Pupils should be able to explain the meaning of nursery bed, list the types of nursery beds, select appropriate sites for nursery beds, list the activities involved in nursery bed preparation, and prepare a nursery bed.
3. Learning Activities:
i. Teacher Activities: The teacher shows video clips on nursery bed preparation demonstrating proper techniques, the teacher guides pupils in collectively preparing nursery beds with proper dimensions and soil preparation.
ii. Learning Activities: The learners watch video clips on the preparation of nursery beds, the learners collectively prepare nursery beds using appropriate tools and methods.
4. Teaching and Learning Resources: Spade for digging and turning soil, shovel for moving soil and materials, garden fork for breaking soil clumps, hand trowel for detailed work, hoe for soil preparation, cutlass for clearing vegetation,
watering can for irrigation, tape for measuring bed dimensions, rake for leveling beds, and short videos demonstrating proper nursery bed preparation techniques. These resources support both theoretical understanding and practical skill development in nursery management.
Week 4: Nursery Bed Preparation (Continued)
1. Content: This week continues the practical application of nursery bed preparation knowledge. Students deepen their understanding of nursery bed types, site selection criteria including proximity to water and security considerations, and site preparation methods. T
2. Performance Objectives: Pupils should be able to explain the meaning of nursery bed, list the types of nursery beds, select appropriate sites for nursery beds, list the activities involved in nursery bed preparation, and prepare a nursery bed.
3. Learning Activities:
i. Teacher Activities: The teacher supervises practical preparation of nursery beds, the teacher provides feedback on site selection and preparation activities, the teacher ensures students follow proper procedures.
ii. Learning Activities: The learners practice site selection and preparation activities, the learners continue preparing nursery beds in groups with attention to proper dimensions and soil conditions.
4. Teaching and Learning Resources: Spade for soil preparation, shovel for material handling, garden fork for soil aeration, hand trowel for precision work, hoe for bed formation, cutlass for vegetation management,
watering can for irrigation, tape for accurate measurements, rake for finishing surfaces, and short videos for reinforcing proper techniques. Continued access to these resources allows students to refine their practical skills through repeated practice.
Week 5: Fertilizer Application
1. Content: Students learn the meaning of fertilizer and distinguish between organic fertilizers and inorganic fertilizers. The week covers various methods of fertilizer application including ring application, spot application, broadcasting, and side band placement.
2. Performance Objectives: Pupils should be able to identify types of fertilizers and apply fertilizer using different methods appropriately.
3. Learning Activities:
i. Teacher Activities: The teacher guides pupils in identifying different fertilizers, the teacher demonstrates various application methods with explanations of when to use each method, the teacher shows video clips illustrating fertilizer application techniques.
ii. Learning Activities: The learners identify types of fertilizers in groups, the learners apply fertilizer using different methods in groups, the learners identify nutrient deficiency symptoms in plants in groups, the learners identify types of fertilizers that remedy specific nutrient deficiencies in groups.
4. Teaching and Learning Resources: Organic fertilizer samples such as compost and manure, inorganic fertilizer samples showing different formulations, garden hoe for soil incorporation, hand trowel for precise application,
seedlings for practical application exercises, and video clips showing types of fertilizers and proper application techniques. These resources help students understand fertilizer types and develop practical application skills.
Week 6: Seed Collection and Dormancy Breaking
1. Content: This week covers the meaning of dormancy breaking and its importance in seed germination. Students learn methods for testing seed viability including the floatation method and plating using petri-dish.
Content includes various techniques for breaking seed dormancy such as cutting, scarification, hot water treatment, and dilute acid treatment. Skills focus on testing seed viability and applying dormancy breaking methods.
2. Performance Objectives: Pupils should be able to explain dormancy breaking, collect seeds properly, test seed viability using appropriate methods, and break seed dormancy using various techniques.
3. Learning Activities:
i. Teacher Activities: The teacher demonstrates seed viability testing methods, the teacher shows short videos on dormancy breaking techniques, the teacher guides group discussions on dormancy concepts.
ii. Learning Activities: The learners test for seed viability using different methods, the learners work in groups to discuss dormancy breaking concepts and applications, the learners watch short videos demonstrating various dormancy breaking techniques.
4. Teaching and Learning Resources: Seeds from various plants for testing and treatment, knives for seed cutting and scarification, petri-dishes for germination testing, bowls for water tests, water for floatation and hot water treatment,
dilute hydrochloric acid for chemical treatment, stove for heating water, and videos demonstrating seed dormancy breaking methods. These resources enable students to conduct practical seed viability tests and apply dormancy breaking techniques safely.
Week 7: Mid-Term Break
Mid-term break provides students with rest and allows teachers to conduct mid-term assessments covering topics from Week 1 to Week 6.
Teachers should prepare tests that evaluate student understanding of farm tools, soil texture, nursery bed preparation, fertilizer application, and seed collection and dormancy breaking.
The assessment should include both theoretical questions and practical demonstrations to comprehensively evaluate student learning outcomes.
Week 8: Seed Collection and Dormancy Breaking (Continued)
1. Content: This week continues practical application of seed dormancy breaking concepts. Students reinforce their understanding of dormancy breaking methods, seed viability testing techniques using floatation
and petri-dish methods, and various dormancy breaking treatments including cutting, scarification, hot water treatment, and dilute acid treatment. The focus remains on developing practical competence in seed handling and treatment.
2. Performance Objectives: Pupils should be able to explain dormancy breaking, collect seeds properly, test seed viability accurately, and break seed dormancy using appropriate methods.
3. Learning Activities:
i. Teacher Activities: The teacher supervises practical seed collection and dormancy breaking activities, the teacher provides feedback on student techniques and results, the teacher ensures proper safety procedures are followed during treatments.
ii. Learning Activities: The learners collect seeds and practice breaking dormancy in groups, the learners continue testing seed viability using various methods with increased independence.
4. Teaching and Learning Resources: Seeds from different plant species, knives for mechanical treatments, petri-dishes for germination observation, bowls for conducting water-based tests, water for various treatments,
dilute hydrochloric acid for chemical scarification, stove for controlled heating, and videos reinforcing proper dormancy breaking techniques. Continued access to these materials supports skill refinement through repeated practice.
Week 9: Rootstock Preparation
1. Content: Students learn the meaning of rootstock and its importance in vegetative propagation. The week covers the complete process of rootstock preparation including extraction of seeds from fruits, washing seeds to remove pulp, drying seeds properly, and planting seeds to grow rootstock seedlings.
2. Performance Objectives: Pupils should be able to define rootstock, state the importance of rootstock in plant propagation, and prepare rootstock following proper procedures.
3. Learning Activities:
i. Teacher Activities: The teacher shows short videos on rootstock preparation demonstrating each step, the teacher guides brainstorming sessions on rootstock importance, the teacher organizes farm visits for practical rootstock preparation.
ii. Learning Activities: The learners watch short videos on the preparation of rootstock, the learners brainstorm in groups about the importance of rootstock, the learners visit the school farm to practically prepare rootstock by cutting fruits, squeezing fruits to extract seeds, washing seeds, air-drying seeds, planting seeds, and growing seedlings.
4. Teaching and Learning Resources: Nylon bags for seedling containers, sacks for substrate mixing, pen knives for fruit cutting, fruits suitable for rootstock production, seeds for planting, and substrate materials for growing seedlings. These resources support the complete rootstock preparation process from fruit processing to seedling establishment.
Week 10: Scion Collection
1. Content: This week focuses on the meaning of scion and its importance in vegetative propagation. Students learn to identify desirable scion material based on plant characteristics and health. Content covers proper techniques for cutting scions to ensure successful grafting. The skill component emphasizes preparing quality scions for propagation purposes.
2. Performance Objectives: Pupils should be able to define scion, highlight the importance of scion in plant propagation, identify desirable scion material, and cut scions properly.
3. Learning Activities:
i. Teacher Activities: The teacher facilitates group discussions on scion concepts, the teacher guides farm visits for identification and cutting of scions, the teacher demonstrates proper scion selection and cutting techniques.
ii. Learning Activities: The learners discuss in groups the meaning of scion, the learners brainstorm in groups about the importance of scion, the learners visit the school farm to identify desirable scion material, the learners practically cut desirable scions using proper techniques.
4. Teaching and Learning Resources: Pen knives for precise cutting, secateurs for clean cuts on woody stems, budwood from healthy parent plants, and video clips demonstrating scion selection and collection techniques. These resources enable students to develop skills in selecting and preparing quality propagation material.
Week 11: Revision
Revision week allows teachers to review all topics covered during the first term from Week 1 through Week 10. Teachers should organize review sessions that revisit key concepts including farm tools and safety, soil texture analysis, nursery bed preparation,
fertilizer application, seed dormancy breaking, rootstock preparation, and scion collection. Students should engage in practice exercises, group discussions, and hands-on activities that reinforce learning outcomes. This preparation ensures students are ready for comprehensive assessment of their knowledge and skills.
Week 12: Examination
Examination week involves administering comprehensive assessments that evaluate student achievement of all performance objectives from the first term. Teachers should prepare examinations that test both theoretical knowledge and practical skills across all covered topics.
The assessment should include questions on farm tools identification and safety, soil texture determination, nursery bed preparation procedures,
fertilizer application methods, seed viability testing, dormancy breaking techniques, and vegetative propagation concepts. Practical demonstrations should assess student ability to perform key agricultural tasks correctly.
Week 13: Examination, Marking and Vacation
This week concludes the first term with completion of examinations, marking of all assessment instruments, and recording of student results.
Teachers should complete all grading, provide feedback on student performance, and maintain accurate records of achievement.
Once marking and recording are finished, students begin their vacation period. Teachers may use remaining time for curriculum evaluation, planning improvements for subsequent terms, and preparing materials for second term instruction.