Living Things and Their Environment

Plants - Characteristics of plants as living things

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

- Identify characteristics that make plants living things
- Explain why plants are grouped as living things
- Show interest in learning about plants as living things

- Learners take a walk in the school compound and neighboring environment to observe plants in their locality
- Learners record any characteristics indicating that plants are living things
- Learners search for information on characteristics of plants as living things from print and non-print media
- Learners discuss why plants are grouped as living things

Why are plants grouped as living things?

KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 1
School compound
Digital devices
Protective gear
Suitable bags for collecting simple plants
KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 2
Pictures of different plants showing various characteristics of living things

Observation Oral questions Written assignments

Living Things and Their Environment

Plants - Functions of external parts of a plant

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

- Identify the external parts of a plant
- Draw and label the external parts of a plant
- Appreciate the importance of each part of a plant

- Learners collect seedlings from their local environment
- Learners observe the plants they have collected to identify their various parts
- Learners draw and label the external parts of a plant they have collected
- Learners compare their drawings with the picture shown in the book

What are the main external parts of a plant?

KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 5
Protective hand gloves
Suitable bags for collecting plants
Various seedlings from the local environment
KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 7
Water
Clear container
Young plant
Ink/food coloring
Cutting tool
KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 9
Pictures of plants with visible root systems
Pictures of root vegetables (cassava, carrots, beetroots)
Digital devices
KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 11
Clear glasses
Stalks with white flowers
Food dye or red cabbage juice

Drawing and labeling assessment Observation Oral questions

Living Things and Their Environment

Plants - Functions of external parts of a plant

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

- Identify additional functions of the stem
- Explain how stems protect and support plants
- Demonstrate curiosity in learning about plant stems

- Learners use print and non-print media to find out more information about the functions of stems
- Learners discuss how stems store food and water
- Learners discuss how stems protect plants
- Learners identify edible stems in their local area

How do stems help plants survive?

KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 12
Print materials (textbooks, charts)
Digital devices
Pictures of different types of plant stems
KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 14
Print materials (textbooks, reference books)
Pictures of different types of leaves
KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 15
Three glass jars or clear containers
Two young plants (one with leaves, one without)
Water

Written assignments Oral questions Observation

Living Things and Their Environment

Plants - Functions of external parts of a plant
Plants - Care for plants

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

- Identify plants that store food in their leaves
- Explain the food storage function of leaves
- Appreciate the importance of leaves as a source of food

- Learners observe pictures of plants that store food in their leaves
- Learners identify and give examples of edible leaves in their locality
- Learners discuss the importance of leaves as a source of food

Which plants store food in their leaves?

KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 16
Pictures of vegetables with edible leaves (cabbage, spinach, kale, lettuce)
Digital devices
KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 21
Seeds for planting
Watering cans
Garden tools

Observation Oral questions Written assignments

Living Things and Their Environment

Plants - Care for plants
Animals - Characteristics of animals as living things

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

- Identify ways of caring for plants in different settings
- Develop a plan to protect plants in the local environment
- Show responsibility in caring for plants

- Learners discuss ways of caring for plants in school, home, and community
- Learners identify problems affecting plants in their locality
- Learners develop a plan to address identified problems
- Learners share their plans with parents, guardians, and teachers

Why should we care for plants?

KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 22
Digital devices
Print materials (textbooks, reference books)
Charts and posters on plant care
KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 25
Digital devices with cameras
Protective gear
Notebooks and pens

Project assessment Observation Oral presentation

Living Things and Their Environment

Animals - Characteristics of animals as living things

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

- Complete a table on characteristics of animals as living things
- Discuss why animals are grouped as living things
- Show interest in learning about animals

- Learners study pictures of different animals
- Learners discuss what the animals are doing in the pictures
- Learners work in groups to complete a table by ticking "Yes" or "No" to answer questions about characteristics of animals as living things
- Learners search for more information on characteristics of animals

Why are animals grouped as living things?

KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 26
Pictures of different animals
Print materials (textbooks, charts, magazines)
Digital devices
KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 28
Pictures of animals feeding
Print materials

Group work assessment Observation Written assignments

Living Things and Their Environment

Animals - Characteristics of animals as living things

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

- Identify growth as a characteristic of animals
- Observe evidence of animal growth
- Show curiosity in how animals grow

- Learners observe pictures showing evidence that animals grow
- Learners discuss the pictures and identify the characteristic of animals illustrated
- Learners follow safety precautions when interacting with animals
- Learners share their observations with peers

How do animals grow?

KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 29
Pictures showing animals of different ages and sizes
Digital devices
Print materials
KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 30
Pictures of animals and their young ones

Observation Oral questions Written assignments

Living Things and Their Environment

Animals - Characteristics of animals as living things

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

- Identify waste removal as a characteristic of animals
- Describe how different animals remove waste
- Value the usefulness of animal waste as manure

- Learners use print and non-print media to find out how different animals remove waste
- Learners discuss the types of waste removed by animals
- Learners discuss how waste from some animals can be used
- Learners record and share their findings

How do animals remove waste?

KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 31
Pictures showing animals removing waste
Print materials
Digital devices
KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 32
Pictures showing animals moving in different ways
KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 33
Pictures of animals responding to environmental changes

Observation Oral questions Group discussion assessment

Living Things and Their Environment

Animals - Characteristics of animals as living things
Animals - Vertebrates and invertebrates

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

- Identify death as a characteristic of animals
- Discuss reasons why animals die
- Show respect for animal life

- Learners discuss death as a characteristic of animals
- Learners visit a farm near their home or school to gather information
- Learners observe pictures showing animals that have died
- Learners discuss reasons why animals die

Why do animals die?

KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 35
Pictures showing dead animals
Print materials
Digital devices
KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 38
Pictures of vertebrates and invertebrates

Group discussion assessment Observation Oral questions

Living Things and Their Environment

Animals - Vertebrates and invertebrates
Animals - Care for animals

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

- Identify vertebrates and invertebrates from pictures
- Group animals as vertebrates or invertebrates
- Show appreciation for animal diversity

- Learners discuss pictures of animals and identify those with and without backbones
- Learners cut out pictures of animals from old magazines and newspapers
- Learners identify those with backbones and those without
- Learners create a picture album or portfolio of vertebrates and invertebrates

How can we classify animals into vertebrates and invertebrates?

KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 39
Pictures of various animals
Old magazines and newspapers
Glue
Scrap books
KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 40
Pictures showing people caring for animals
Print materials
Digital devices

Portfolio assessment Observation Oral questions

Living Things and Their Environment

Human Digestive System - Parts of the human digestive system

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

- Explain the meaning of digestion
- Describe what happens to food we eat
- Show interest in learning about the digestive system

- Learners study pictures of the human digestive system
- Learners discuss what happens to food we eat
- Learners search for information about the human digestive system using print materials or digital media
- Learners share their findings with peers

What happens to the food we eat?

KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 43
Pictures of the human digestive system
Print materials
Digital devices
KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 44
Pencils and erasers
Tracing paper

Observation Oral questions Written assignments

Living Things and Their Environment

Human Digestive System - Parts of the human digestive system
Human Digestive System - Healthy digestive system

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

- Name the parts of the human digestive system
- Describe the function of each part of the digestive system
- Develop curiosity about how the digestive system works

- Learners create a word search puzzle to find parts of the digestive system
- Learners model the human digestive system using locally available materials
- Learners take pictures and videos of their models
- Learners display their finished models

How does the digestive system work?

KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 45
Locally available materials for modeling
Digital devices
Print materials
KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 47
Pictures showing steps of brushing teeth
Resource person

Model assessment Observation Oral questions

Living Things and Their Environment

Human Digestive System - Healthy digestive system

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

- Develop a plan for maintaining dental hygiene
- Identify locally available items for maintaining oral health
- Value the importance of dental hygiene

- Learners prepare a plan for maintaining dental hygiene
- Learners discuss locally available items that can be used to maintain oral health
- Learners mount their dental hygiene plans on walls where they can see and read them often
- Learners practice the healthy habits included in their plans

Why is dental hygiene important?

KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 48
Materials for creating dental hygiene plans
Print materials
Digital devices
KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 49
Sample notification form on school deworming program

Plan assessment Observation Oral questions

Living Things and Their Environment

Human Digestive System - Healthy digestive system

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

- Explain how worms affect the digestive system
- Describe how to prevent worm infections
- Appreciate the importance of deworming

- Learners discuss intestinal worm infections
- Learners discuss how worms are transmitted
- Learners explain how worms affect the digestive system
- Learners describe ways to prevent the spread of worms

How can we prevent worm infections?

KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 50
Print materials
Digital devices
Charts on deworming
KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 51
Pictures of different foods

Observation Oral questions Group discussion assessment

Living Things and Their Environment

Human Digestive System - Healthy digestive system
Human Digestive System - Symptoms of unhealthy digestive system

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

- Identify eating habits that maintain a healthy digestive system
- Distinguish between healthy and unhealthy eating habits
- Develop positive eating habits

- Learners discuss eating habits that help to maintain a healthy digestive system
- Learners identify eating habits that are not healthy for the digestive system
- Learners complete a table identifying eating habits as healthy or unhealthy
- Learners share their findings with peers

Which eating habits are healthy for our digestive system?

KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 52
Pictures of different foods
Print materials
Digital devices
KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 54
Pictures illustrating symptoms of an unhealthy digestive system

Observation Oral questions Written assignments

Living Things and Their Environment

Human Digestive System - Symptoms of unhealthy digestive system
Human Digestive System - Developing a plan for maintaining a healthy digestive system

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

- Describe symptoms of an unhealthy digestive system
- Explain what causes these symptoms
- Recognize when to seek medical attention

- Learners study pictures illustrating symptoms of an unhealthy digestive system
- Learners discuss what each symptom means
- Learners describe each symptom and possible causes
- Learners discuss when to seek medical attention for digestive system problems

How can we recognize an unhealthy digestive system?

KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 55
Pictures illustrating symptoms of an unhealthy digestive system
Print materials
Digital devices
KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 56
Sample plan for maintaining a healthy digestive system
Materials for creating plans

Observation Oral questions Group discussion assessment

Living Things and Their Environment

Human Digestive System - Developing a plan for maintaining a healthy digestive system
Human Digestive System - Assessment

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

- Copy and customize a digestive health plan
- Add personal items to the plan
- Demonstrate commitment to maintaining digestive health

- Learners copy a sample plan for maintaining a healthy digestive system
- Learners add other items to the checklist based on their personal needs
- Learners display their plans on walls where family members can see and read them
- Learners take pictures of their plans and share them with peers

What should be included in a digestive health plan?

KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 56
Materials for creating digestive health plans
Digital devices with cameras
Scrap books
KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 57
Assessment worksheets
Digital devices
Print materials

Plan assessment Observation Oral presentation

Living Things and Their Environment
Matter
Matter
Matter

Human Digestive System - Self-assessment
Properties of matter - Meaning of matter
Properties of matter - States of matter
Properties of matter - Properties of solids

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

- Evaluate personal progress in learning about the human digestive system
- Identify areas needing revision
- Show commitment to improving knowledge

- Learners complete a self-assessment checklist on their progress
- Learners identify areas where they are confident and areas needing revision
- Learners discuss their progress with teachers, parents or guardians
- Learners set goals for improving their knowledge

How well am I progressing in my learning?

KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 58
Self-assessment checklists
Digital devices
Print materials
- KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 59
- Digital devices
- Pen, notebook, sheet of paper
- Immediate environment
- KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 60
- Various objects in the immediate environment
- Pen and notebook
- KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 61
- Various solid objects (stones, books, soil, pebbles)

Self-assessment Observation Teacher assessment

Matter

Properties of matter - Definite volume of solids
Properties of matter - Mass of solids
Properties of matter - Measuring mass of solids
Properties of matter - Comparing mass of solids

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

- Demonstrate that solids have a definite volume
- Explain why solids maintain their volume
- Show interest in investigating properties of solids

In groups, learners are guided to:
- Collect materials (two containers of the same size, soil/sand/pebbles, and a stone)
- Fill one container with soil or sand
- Place the stone in the other container
- Transfer the soil into the container with the stone
- Observe if all the soil goes into the second container
- Explain observations
- Discuss findings with classmates

Do solids have a definite volume?

- KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 62
- Two containers of the same size
- Soil/sand/pebbles
- Stone
- KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 63
- Various solid objects
- Spring balance (if available)
- Thread or string
- KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 64
- Spring balance
- Thread or string
- Various solids (stones, wood, plastics, bean seeds, books, nails, metal rods)
- KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 65
- Materials for making a beam balance
- Various solid objects of different masses

- Observation - Oral questions - Group work assessment

Matter

Properties of matter - Properties of liquids
Properties of matter - Definite volume of liquids
Properties of matter - Mass of liquids

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

- Identify the properties of liquids
- Demonstrate that liquids take the shape of their container
- Appreciate the importance of liquids in daily life

In groups, learners are guided to:
- Collect water, jars or jugs of different sizes, transparent containers or bottles of different shapes
- Fill a transparent bottle with water and observe the shape it takes
- Put the same amount of water in other transparent bottles or containers of different shapes
- Observe the shape the water takes in each case
- Record observations

Why do liquids take the shape of their container?

- KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 66
- Water
- Transparent containers of different shapes
- Measuring containers
- KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 67
- Measuring containers of different shapes and sizes
- KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 68
- Two similar water bottles or jerricans
- Water

- Observation - Oral questions - Written assignments

Matter

Properties of matter - Properties of gases
Properties of matter - Mass of gases

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

- Identify the properties of gases
- Demonstrate that gases occupy space
- Appreciate the existence of gases in the environment

In groups, learners are guided to:
- Blow air into balloons of different sizes
- Observe what happens when air is blown into the balloons
- Observe what happens when air is released from the balloons
- Discuss why balloons collapse when air is released
- Record observations

How do we know gases exist even though we can't see them?

- KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 69
- Balloons of different sizes
- KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 70
- Two similar balls or balloons
- Pin, needle, thorn, or toothpick
- Beam balance

- Observation - Oral questions - Written assignments

Matter

Properties of matter - Volume of gases
Properties of matter - Importance of different states of matter

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

- Demonstrate that gases occupy space
- Explain why water doesn't enter an inverted glass
- Value the importance of air in daily life

In groups, learners are guided to:
- Use glue to fix a piece of cloth/tissue paper on the inner bottom of a glass
- Turn the glass upside down and push it gently into water
- Remove the glass gently while holding it upside down
- Check if the piece of cloth/tissue paper gets wet
- Explain observations

How can we demonstrate that air occupies space?

- KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 71
- Glass
- Piece of cloth or tissue paper
- Basin with water
- Glue
- KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 75
- Digital devices (if available)
- Textbooks
- Charts showing uses of different states of matter

- Observation - Practical assessment - Oral questions

Matter

Management of solid waste - Meaning of solid waste
Management of solid waste - Types of solid waste in the environment

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

- Explain the meaning of solid waste
- Identify different types of solid waste
- Develop interest in proper management of solid waste

In groups, learners are guided to:
- Read the story about schools holding sports events
- Discuss the meaning of solid waste
- Identify types of solid waste likely generated during sports events
- Discuss what would happen if waste is dumped carelessly
- Share findings

What is solid waste?

- KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 77
- Pen and notebook
- Immediate environment
- KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 78

- Observation - Oral questions - Written assignments

Matter

Management of solid waste - Decomposable waste
Management of solid waste - Non-decomposable waste

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

- Identify decomposable solid waste
- Explain what happens to decomposable waste over time
- Show interest in management of decomposable waste

In groups, learners are guided to:
- Study pictures of decomposable solid waste
- Discuss what is shown and how it affects the environment
- Discuss what happens when banana peels or food leftovers are left in a covered container for a week
- Explain the process of decomposition
- Record observations

What happens to decomposable waste over time?

- KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 79
- Pictures of decomposable waste
- Pen and notebook
- KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 80
- Pictures of non-decomposable waste

- Observation - Oral questions - Written assignments

Matter

Management of solid waste - Sorting solid waste
Management of solid waste - Dangers of solid waste

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

- Sort solid waste into decomposable and non-decomposable waste
- Place sorted waste in appropriate dustbins
- Appreciate the importance of sorting waste

In groups, learners are guided to:
- Identify and collect solid waste in the school compound with teacher guidance
- Observe safety measures during collection activities
- Sort the solid waste into decomposable and non-decomposable waste
- Put them in two separate dustbins
- List examples of decomposable and non-decomposable waste

Why is it important to sort solid waste?

- KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 81
- Two separate dustbins for decomposable and non-decomposable waste
- Protective gear (gloves)
- Solid waste from school compound
- KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 82
- Pictures showing environmental pollution
- Pen and notebook

- Observation - Practical assessment - Group work evaluation

Matter

Management of solid waste - Methods of managing solid waste
Management of solid waste - The 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)

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

- Explain what is done with solid waste at home
- Define waste management
- Appreciate the importance of waste management

In groups, learners are guided to:
- Discuss what is done with solid waste at home
- Find out the meaning of waste management
- Discuss how various types of solid waste should be managed
- Share ideas with classmates, family, and community members

What are different ways of managing solid waste?

- KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 83
- Pen and notebook
- Textbooks
- Digital media (if available)
- KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 84
- Pictures showing methods of waste management

- Observation - Oral questions - Written assignments

Matter

Management of solid waste - Managing waste in classroom
Management of solid waste - Managing waste in school
Management of solid waste - Managing waste at home
Management of solid waste - Managing waste in public functions

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

- Identify different types of solid waste found in the classroom
- Apply methods of waste management in the classroom
- Show responsibility in managing classroom waste

- Collect different types of solid waste found in the classroom
- Sort the waste into separate bins (decomposable and non-decomposable)
- Suggest ways to manage waste by reducing
- Identify waste that could be reused or recycled
- Record findings in a table
- Share findings with other learners

How can we manage waste in our classroom?

- KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 86
- Separate bins for decomposable and non-decomposable waste
- Protective gloves and masks
- Pen and notebook
- KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 87
- Collection bins
- KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 88
- Pen and notebook
- Pictures showing waste management at home
- KLB Science and Technology Grade 4 Learner's Book pg. 89
- Pictures of public events

- Observation - Practical assessment - Group work evaluation