Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - JHS 3
AGRICULTURAL TOOLS
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
AGRICULTURAL TOOLS
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Science
Class: JHS 3
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 3
Grade code: B9.4.5.1.1
Strand code: 4
Sub-strand code: 5
Content standard code: B9.4.5.1
Indicator code: B9.4.5.1.1
Theme: FORCES AND ENERGY
Subtheme: AGRICULTURAL TOOLS
This page supports the lesson note with a companion video and a short classroom-ready summary.
For class groups and homework, share this lesson page so learners also get the summary, objectives, and full lesson context.
Agriculture is a major source of food and income in Ghana. Many farms still depend on simple agricultural tools such as hoes, cutlasses, rakes, watering cans and simple sprayers. These tools are often made from materials found in the local environment (wood, metal, bamboo, leather, rubber, plastic, rope). Knowing the materials used and why they are chosen helps learners to: select the right tool for a job, maintain tools properly, improvise or assemble simple tools when resources are limited, work safely and efficiently. Indicator focus (B9.4.5.1.1): *Identify materials used in making simple agricultural tools (often assembled from the environment) and show how parts are connected.*
A. Meaning of “Simple Agricultural Tools” Simple agricultural tools are basic hand tools or low-technology tools used for farming activities such as land preparation, planting, weeding, harvesting, and watering. They usually have few parts, are easy to use, and can often be repaired locally.
Examples in Ghana: Cutlass (machete) Hoe Rake Spade/Shovel Hand fork Sickle Watering can Wheelbarrow Knapsack sprayer Dibble (planting stick)
B. Materials Used in Making Simple Agricultural Tools Most tools are made from a combination of materials. Each material is chosen because of its properties. 1) Metals (iron/steel, aluminium) Used for: blades, heads, tines, nails, bolts, frames Why: strong, hard, can be sharpened, can withstand impact and cutting forces. Steel/iron: used for cutlass blade, hoe head, sickle blade. Aluminium: lighter, resists rust better than iron; sometimes used for watering cans or parts of sprayers.
Note: Iron/steel can rust, so they need oiling/painting and dry storage. 2) Wood (e.g., odum, wawa, neem, mango) Used for: handles (hoe handle, cutlass handle, rake handle), tool grips Why: strong, available, easy to shape, comfortable to hold, reduces heat transfer compared to metal. 3) Bamboo, cane, raffia Used for: handles, light frames, tying/fastening in improvised tools Why: light, flexible, locally available, easy to replace. 4) Plastics (polyethylene, PVC) Used for: watering cans, sprayer tanks, handles/grips, buckets Why: light, does not rust, can be moulded into shapes, fairly durable. 5) Rubber (from tyres, rubber grips) Used for: tyre wheel of wheelbarrow, hoses, seals in sprayers, hand grips Why: flexible, provides grip, reduces leakage (seals), absorbs shock. 6) Leather/cloth Used for: straps (knapsack sprayer straps), protective coverings Why: flexible, comfortable, strong when stitched. 7) Rope/wire Used for: tying parts, temporary repairs, fastening in improvised tools Why: available, easy to use, adjustable.