### Lesson Plan: Prevocational Studies for Primary 4
**Topic:** Maintenance of Flowers and Types of Stitches
**Duration:** 1 hour
**Grade:** Primary 4
#### Objectives:
1. Students will understand the basic techniques for maintaining flowers.
2. Students will learn about different types of stitches used in simple sewing projects.
3. Students will apply practical skills in maintaining flowers and practicing basic stitches.
#### Materials Needed:
- Fresh flowers (roses, daisies, or any locally available flowers)
- Watering can or spray bottle
- Flower vases
- Pruning scissors
- Needle and thread
- Fabric swatches
- Diagrams/pictures of common types of stitches (running stitch, cross-stitch, backstitch, overcast stitch)
- Chalkboard/whiteboard and markers
- Worksheets
#### Lesson Plan:
**Introduction (10 minutes):**
1. *Greeting and Warm-up:* Welcome students and briefly review the objectives of the lesson.
2. *Set the Scene:* Show students a bouquet of flowers and ask them:
- "Why do you think flowers are important?"
- "What do we need to do to keep flowers fresh and healthy?"
**Part 1: Maintenance of Flowers (20 minutes):**
1. *Discussion:* Explain the key points of flower maintenance:
- Watering: Use a watering can or spray bottle. Demonstrate how to water flowers without overdoing it.
- Pruning: Show how to use pruning scissors to remove dead or wilted parts. Explain why this is important.
- Placement: Discuss the best spots to place flowers in the home – where they can get indirect sunlight and away from drafts.
2. *Hands-On Activity:*
- Divide students into small groups.
- Provide each group with a vase, flowers, and a small spray bottle.
- Ask each group to practice watering and pruning their flowers.
- Walk around the classroom, observing and guiding where necessary.
**Part 2: Types of Stitches (20 minutes):**
1. *Introduction to Stitches:* Explain that sewing is a useful skill and introduce the four types of basic stitches:
- Running Stitch
- Cross-Stitch
- Backstitch
- Overcast Stitch
2. *Diagrams & Demonstrations:* Use diagrams/pictures to show what each stitch looks like. Demonstrate each stitch on fabric swatches.
3. *Practice Time:*
- Give each student a needle, thread, and a fabric swatch.
- Guide them through practicing each type of stitch.
- Allow students to work at their own pace and provide individual support where needed.
**Conclusion (10 minutes):**
1. *Recap:* Review the key points from both parts of the lesson.
- Ask questions to ensure understanding:
- "What are the steps to maintain fresh flowers?"
- "Can you name the types of stitches we learned today?"
2. *Q&A:* Allow students to ask any remaining questions.
3. *Worksheet Distribution:* Hand out a worksheet that includes activities related to the day's lesson (e.g., matching stitches to their names, filling in the missing steps for flower maintenance).
**Extension Activities:**
- For students who finish early, have them help peers or practice stitching designs on their fabric swatches.
- Suggest a small take-home project where they practice maintaining flowers or stitching a small simple shape onto fabric.
**Assessment:**
- Observe students during the hands-on activities.
- Check completed worksheets for understanding and accuracy.
- Ask individual students to demonstrate a stitch or explain a step in flower maintenance.
**Homework:**
- Ask students to observe a household plant or flower and note down how they helped take care of it.
- Encourage them to practice their stitches on a piece of fabric and bring it to the next class for review.