Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - Basic 6

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Explain what the environment is and its parts.
• Identify human activities that affect the environment.
• Discuss the results of environmental damage.
• Suggest ways to protect our environment.
• Understand and use sustainable practices.

Lesson summary

This lesson explores the important relationship between our actions and the health of our environment. In our communities across Ghana, from the coastal areas of Accra to the farming lands in the Ashanti region and the savannahs of the North, we see the impact of human activities every day. We see choked gutters causing floods, we hear about our rivers getting dirty, and we notice fewer trees than before. Understanding these problems is the first step to becoming responsible citizens who can protect our beautiful country for ourselves and for future generations.

Lesson notes

Concept 1: What is our Environment? Our environment is everything that surrounds us. It includes both living things (biotic) and non-living things (abiotic). Living things: People, animals, trees, grasses, insects. Non-living things: The air we breathe, the water we drink, the land (soil), rocks, and the sun. A healthy environment is balanced and clean, providing us with everything we need to live, such as clean air, safe water, and fertile land for farming.

Concept 2: Harmful Human Activities (Environmental Degradation) Sometimes, our actions spoil or damage the environment. This is called environmental degradation. Let's look at four major activities that cause this problem in Ghana. Activity 1: Improper Waste Disposal What it is: This means throwing away rubbish, like plastic wrappers, 'pure water' sachets, leftover food, and bottles, in places where they are not supposed to be, such as on the street, in gutters, or into water bodies. Why it is harmful: Causes Diseases: Rotting rubbish attracts flies, rats, and cockroaches, which carry germs that cause diseases like cholera, typhoid, and diarrhoea. Breeds Mosquitoes: When plastic waste blocks our gutters, water cannot flow. This stagnant water becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which cause malaria. Causes Flooding: Choked gutters cannot carry rainwater away. This leads to flooding in our communities, especially in cities like Accra and Kumasi, destroying homes and properties. Makes our Surroundings Ugly: Piles of rubbish look and smell bad, making our towns and villages unpleasant. Activity 2: 'Galamsey' (Illegal Small-Scale Mining) What it is: This is a local term for illegal mining, usually for gold. People involved in 'galamsey' dig large pits in the ground and often use dangerous chemicals like mercury and cyanide to separate the gold from the soil. Why it is harmful: Water Pollution: The chemicals used, like mercury, are washed into our rivers and streams (e.g., River Pra, River Ankobra, River Tano). This poisons the water, killing fish and other aquatic life. People who drink this water or eat the poisoned fish can become very sick. Destruction of Farmland: 'Galamsey' operators destroy large areas of fertile land that could be used for farming cocoa, cassava, or plantain. Dangerous Pits: They leave deep, uncovered pits behind. These pits can fill with water and become death traps for both humans and animals. Leads to Deforestation: To get to the land for mining, large areas of forest are cleared, destroying trees and animal habitats. Activity 3: Deforestation What it is: This is the large-scale cutting down of trees and forests without planting new ones to replace them. Why people do it: For charcoal and firewood, for timber to build houses and furniture, to clear land for farming, and for building new towns. Why it is harmful: Climate Change: Trees help to "breathe in" a gas called carbon dioxide and produce the oxygen we need. They also provide shade and help bring rain. Without them, the weather becomes hotter and drier. Soil Erosion: The roots of trees hold the soil together. When trees are cut down, rain can easily wash away the rich topsoil, making the land infertile for farming. Loss of Animal Homes (Habitat): Forests are homes to many animals like monkeys, birds, and snails. When we destroy the forests, these animals lose their homes and can die out. Desertification: In the northern parts of Ghana, cutting down trees can lead to the land becoming dry and desert-like, making farming very difficult. Activity 4: Bush Burning What it is: This is the act of setting fire to grasslands or forests. It is a common practice for some hunters (to trap animals) and farmers (to clear land quickly for planting). Why it is harmful: Destroys Soil Nutrients: The intense heat from the fire kills important microorganisms in the soil and burns away the organic matter that makes the soil fertile. Kills Animals: The fire kills many small animals that cannot escape, like grasscutters, rats, snakes, and insects. It also destroys their homes. Air Pollution: The smoke from the fire pollutes the air, which can cause breathing problems like coughing and asthma. Can Destroy Property: Sometimes, the fire gets out of control and can burn down people's farms, houses, and even entire villages.

Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Question 1: Picture Analysis *Teacher shows a picture depicting a choked gutter full of plastic bottles and sachets, with a small flood on the street.* Question: "Look at this picture. (a) What negative human activity can you see? (b) Name one problem this activity causes for the community." Solution: (a) The activity is improper waste disposal. (b) The problem it causes is flooding because the rubbish has choked the gutter, preventing rainwater from flowing away. Another acceptable answer is that it can lead to diseases like malaria. Commentary: This question tests the learner's ability to identify the concept visually and link it to a direct consequence.