CAC Agricultural Science Teacher's Manual

SECONDARY ENTRANCE ASSESSMENT
PRIMARY LEVEL - STANDARD FOUR
Agricultural ScienceAgricultural Science
CAC
Continuous Assessment Component
TEACHER’S MANUAL
2014/2015

INTRODUCTION / OVERVIEW............................................................................................................... 4
The Rationale for Agricultural Science in the Primary School Curriculum............................. 4
Continuous Assessment Component (CAC) of the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA)
Agricultural Science Activity............................................................................................................... 5
STUDENT ACTIVITY............................................................................................................................... 5
ACTIVITY:............................................................................................................................................. 5
OBJECTIVES......................................................................................................................................... 5
GROWING CROPS IN THE SWGB.......................................................................................................... 5
SETTING UP THE CONTAINERS FOR CONDUCTING THE CAC ACTIVITY....................................... 6
Getting Started.................................................................................................................................. 6
Selection of a site and placement of the containers................................................................... 6
Preparation of the SWGB for planting a crop............................................................................... 8
Filling the SWGB with the growing medium................................................................................ 9
Sowing the seeds.............................................................................................................................10
Re-using the growing medium.....................................................................................................10
Thinning out the seedlings............................................................................................................12
Fertilizer Application......................................................................................................................13
Control of pests in ochro................................................................................................................14
Control of diseases in ochro..........................................................................................................15
Harvesting.........................................................................................................................................16
Control of diseases in ochro..........................................................................................................17
Upon Completion of the Project...................................................................................................18
DATA COLLECTION..............................................................................................................................20
Data Collection Instrument:..........................................................................................................20
The Skills to be Assessed................................................................................................................20
Observing......................................................................................................................................20
Recording......................................................................................................................................21
Analyzing......................................................................................................................................21
Contents

Reporting......................................................................................................................................21
Student Data Collection.................................................................................................................21
Student Project Booklet.................................................................................................................21
ASSESSMENT........................................................................................................................................22
Practical Work (8 marks).....................................................................................................................22
Student Project Booklet (12 marks).............................................................................................22
Managing the Assessment Process..............................................................................................22
AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE ASSESSMENT RUBRICS..........................................................................23
IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE FOR CAC AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE............................................25
Student’s Project Booklet..................................................................................................................27
School’s Mark Sheet for CAC Agricultural Science........................................................................43

The Rationale for Agricultural Science in the Primary School Curriculum
Agricultural Science teaches the principles and practices of growing plants and rearing animals for food and
other valuable products. Agricultural Science develops students’ understanding of the natural environment and
the cycles of nature. As students are taught to love and care for plants and animals, and how and why they are
important to us; they will appreciateAgricultural Science and teach others about it. This subject provides additional
opportunities for students to develop their social, emotional, Information Communication and Technological
skills, and care for the environment. Furthermore, it allows students to feel a sense of accomplishment which will
help to boost their confidence and self-esteem.
The infusion of Agricultural Science across the curriculum provides an excellent opportunity for linking theory
to practice which readily facilitates differentiated instruction. It is expected that exposure to this subject will
also enhance students’ literacy and numeracy, as well as their skills in observing, manipulating, comprehending,
recording, analyzing and reporting through enjoyable activities.
This Agricultural Science Teacher’s Manual emphasizes food security with a focus on good agricultural practices.
It is anticipated that it will provide a platform on which our students will become sensitized to the value and
importance of agriculture to themselves, our country and the global society.
INTRODUCTION / OVERVIEW

Continuous AssessmentComponent (CAC)
of the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA)
Agricultural Science Activity
TOPIC: Crop Science
CLASS: Standard 4
TERM: 2
ACTIVITY: Students are required to investigate the
growth, development and yield of ochroes
using the Self-Watering Gow Box (SWGB).
Students will:
• Prepare the SWGB for planting ochroes.
• Plant ochroes in the SWGB.
• Care for ochro plants.
• Harvest ochroes at the correct stage of maturity.
• Analyze the growth, development and yield of the ochro plants.
• Work independently and collaboratively in a safe manner.
• Reflect on their experiences in this activity.
OBJECTIVES
What is SWGB?
The SWGB is a rectangular container used for growing plants. The box has an inner and outer
compartment and is assembled by fitting the inner compartment into the outer one.
The SWGB has a reservoir at the bottom of the box which holds water. There is a drainage hole at
the side of the box which prevents the box from overfilling. The inner compartment has a
perforated base which allows for drainage of the potting medium and prevents water logging.
When the box is filled with potting mediun, the sunken part of the inner compartment is in direct
contact with the water in the reservoir. The water is absorbed by capillary action and then moves
throughout the potting medium. In this way the potting medium remains moist, providing a
continuous source of water for plant growth and development.
The water in the reservoir in the SWGB must be topped up once per week. Under hot, dry weather
conditions the box will have to be refilled with water more often than under cool, wet conditions.
GROWING CROPS IN THE SWGB
5

6
GROWING CROPS IN THE SWGB
SETTING UPTHE SWGB FOR CONDUCTINGTHE CAC ACTIVITY
Advantages of the SWGB instead of Field Planting
• It reduces the incidence of pests and diseases.
• It can be used to grow a range of crops e.g. leafy, fruit and root vegetables.
• It is mobile and easy to move from one place to another without disturbing the plants.
• It accommodates students with special needs.
• It reduces variability in growing conditions, ensuring that no one will be at a disadvantage due
to their physical location.
Getting Started
• Collect all the necessary materials.
• Put on the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) before conducting any practical
activity.
Selection of a site and placement of the containers
• Select a site that receives a minimum of 5 hours of sunlight per day. The site should also be
secure to prevent interference from animals and birds.
• Position the SWGB for students to have access on all sides. Placing the SWGB against a wall or
fence would limit access to the box.
• Place the SWGB at least 15cm above the ground. This can be done by resting it on concrete
blocks.
Figure 1 Photograph of the Self Watering Grow Box

7
Remove the grass and level the soil in
preparation for block placementFigure 2
Use the spirit level to ensure that the
concrete blocks are levelFigure 3

8
The SWGB is ready for filling with growing mediumFigure 4
Measure, cut and fit the shade cloth into the SWGBFigure 5
Preparation of the SWGB for planting a crop
• Shape the shade cloth to fit into the base of the SWGB.
• Pace the shade cloth at the base of the SWGB.
Pay attention to
the shape of the
shade cloth in
the SWGB

9
Filling the SWGB with the growing medium
• Put on appropriate PPE.
• Open the bag of growing medium.
• Fill the box with DRY growing medium (approximately 5cm from the top).
• Water the growing medium with the watering can to remove air pockets and to
allow it to settle.
• Fill the SWGB’s compartment with water until it overflows.
Filling the SWGB with the growing mediumFigure 6
Fill the SWGB with water until the reservoir overflowsFigure 7

10
Re-using growing medium
• Empty the SWGB containing the growing medium
• Remove the Saran netting from the growing medium/SWGB
• Dislodge all growing medium from the Saran netting.
• Replace the Saran netting at the base of the SWGB.
• Refill the SWGB with this growing medium.
• Water the growing medium.
• Fill the SWGB’s reservoir with water.
Sowing seeds
• For the purpose of this activity the ochroes will be planted at a spacing of 30cm apart. The box
will accommodate three plants.
• Dig a planting hole 5cm wide and 2cm deep at each planting site. (Note: if seeds are planted
at different depths, they will germinate at different times).
• Place 3 seeds equal distances apart (DO NOT put all 3 seeds in the same location) in the hole and
cover it with the potting medium that was removed when the hole was dug.
• The seedlings will emerge 3 to 5 days after sowing.
Figure 8 The SWGB is ready for planting the ochroes

11
Measure and indicate the location of
the planting holeFigure 9
Evenly spaced seeds in the planting holesFigure 10
15cm 15cm30cm 30cm

12
• About 10 days after emergence, thin out the plants to 1 seedling per planting hole.
• Remove the weaker seedlings leaving the strongest one. The plants are removed by cutting the stem
at the soil level.
Thinning Out
Emerging seedlingsFigure 11
Ochro seedlings after being thinned outFigure 12

13
Time of Application Fertilizer Amount**
2 Weeks after emergence Calcium Nitrate ½ teaspoon/plant
3 Weeks after emergence 12:12:17+2 ½ teaspoon/plant
4 Weeks after emergence 12:12:17+2 ½ teaspoon/plant
5 Weeks after emergence 12:12:17+2 1 teaspoons/plant
Fertilizer Application
• Apply fertilizer to the ochro plants using the following recommendations:
• The fertilizer should be placed in a ring approximately 5 cm away from the plant.
** You can substitute a soft drink cap for a teaspoon
Teaspoon / soft drink cap = 5 g
Care and maintenance of plants in the containers
• Refill box with water as needed.
• Inspect the plant regularly to check for pests and diseases.
• Treat the plants with the appropriate pesticide as needed.

Some common ochro pests are bachacs, beetles and stink bugs. The table below indicates they can be
controlled:
Control of pests in ochro
Pest Damagecaused MethodofControl
Beetle
Cuts the leaf in a
C-shape pattern
starting from the
leaf margin
Makes holes in the
leaves
Sucks sap from
flowers and young
fruits and cause
them to grow
distorted
Place bachac bait
along the bachac trail
Spray plants with a
suitable insecticide
e.g. Abamectin
Spray plants with a
suitable insecticide
e.g. Abamectin
14
Stink Bug
Bachac

15
Some common diseases of ochroes are powdery mildew and leaf spot. The table below describes
the symptoms of this disease as well as the control of the organisms that are responsible for these
diseases:
Control of diseases in ochro
Disease Symptoms MethodofControl
Powdery Mildew
Leaf Spot Brown irregular spots Use a copper based fungicide
Use a copper based
fungicide
The fungus coats the upper
and lower leaf surfaces with a
whitish coating. Severe
infection will cause the leaves
to roll upward and scorch

16
• Harvest the ochroes every 2 to 3 days when the ochro is turning from angular to round and
approximately 15 to 20 cm long.
• Cut the stem using a pair of scissors.
Harvesting
Figure 13 Harvesting ochroes

17
At all stages of this project, students are required to:
• Maintain a tidy work area.
• Clean work area after completion of task
• Wash, dry and store after use.
Control of diseases in ochro
Figure 14 Harvested ochroes
Figure 15 Cleaning of work area

18
• Cut off the main stem.
• Uproot and dispose of plant materials in an appropriate manner.
• Empty, wash, dry and store the SWGB away.
• Dry and store the growing medium for future use.
Upon Completion of the Project
Figure 17 Pull out the roots
Figure 16 Cut off the main the stem

19
Figure 18 The ochro plants can be composted
Figure 19 The box is being prepared to grow another crop

20
Data Collection Instrument:
Data will be collected and recorded in the Student’s Project Booklet. This booklet will be provided by the
Ministry of Education.
The Skills to be Assessed
Observing
• Plant Growth and Development
• Emergence of the ochro seedling from the growing medium
• Time of first flowering
• Increase in plant height over time
• Fruit development
• Readiness of fruit for harvest – when the ochroes change from angular to round
• Incidence of weeds, pest and disease
DATA COLLECTION
Figure 20 An ochro flower
Figure 21 Measuring plant height

21
Recording
• Increase in plant height over time
• Yield over time
• General observations
Analyzing
• Number of days taken for seedlings to emerge from the growing medium
• Number of days from planting to first flowering
• Number of days from planting to time of first harvest
• Total number of ochroes harvested per box
Reporting
• Discussion on the growth and development of the ochro plants
• Reflections on the activity
Student Data Collection
Students are encouraged to have a special exercise book to record their crop observations and
measurements. They will then transcribe the data into the Student Project Booklet.
Student Project Booklet
Teachers must ensure that the data is recorded in the Student Project Booklet as soon as the data is
collected. The Student Project Booklet must be secured in school and must be made available upon
request by the Senior Teacher, school administration or the Moderator.
Atnotimearestudentsallowedtotakethe
StudentProjectBooklethome.

22
The total possible score for this activity is 20 marks. Students will be assessed using the following criteria:
Practical Work (8 marks)
• Personal safety
• Selection and care of tools
• Agricultural skills
• Teamwork
Student Project Booklet (12 marks)
• Data collection
• Report on crop growth and development.
• Manipulation of data
• Description of experience
Managing the Assessment Process
The following guidelines will assist you in managing the assessment process:
• Monitor the Students’Project Booklets to ensure that the data that was recorded in the exercise
book is transferred to the Students’Project Booklets in a timely manner.
• Score the students’practical work regularly and record the date when the mark is assigned.
• Provide feedback to students on their performance and make recommendations for
improvement.
ASSESSMENT

23
Student’s Name ………………………………………………………. Class………………...
School …………………………………………………………………………………………….....
AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE ASSESSMENT RUBRICS
PRACTICAL WORK [8 marks]
(Teacher observes and assigns individual mark to students)
Total
Possible
Marks
Student’s Mark
&
Date of
Assessment
PERSONAL SAFETY
[2marks]
Works in a manner that is safe to
self and others
2
Only works in a manner that is
safe to self or others
1
Does not work in a safe manner 0
SELECTION AND CARE
OF TOOLS
[2 marks]
Selects correct tools and cleans
them after use
2
Only selects correct tools or only
cleans them after use
1
Does not select correct tools nor
cleans them after use
0
AGRICULTURAL
SKILLS
[2 marks]
The task was completed and
done on time
2
The task was incomplete or was
not done on time
1
The task was not attempted 0
TEAMWORK
[2marks]
Willingly participates with others
during activity
2
Needs to be encouraged to
participate with others during
activity.
1
Does not attempt to participate
with others during activity.
0
Total Practical Work 8

24
School …………………………………………………………………………………………….....
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS [12 marks]
(Teacher marks individual Student Project Report Booklet)
MARKS
Student’s
Mark
DATA COLLECTION
[4 marks]
More than 20 data entries were collected and
recorded accurately in data collection
booklet
4
15 to 19 of the data entries were collected
and recorded accurately in data collection
sheet
3
10 to 14 of the data entries were collected
and recorded accurately in the data
collection sheet
2
5 to 9 of the data entries were collected and
recorded accurately in the data collection
sheet
1
Less than 5 data entries were collected and
recorded accurately in the data collection
sheet
0
MANIPULATION
OF DATA
[3 marks]
4 or more points on the bar chart plotted
accurately
3
2 to 3 points on the bar chart plotted
accurately
2
1 point on the bar chart plotted accurately 1
No points plotted accurately or no attempt
made to plot points
0
REPORT ON GROWTH,
DEVELOPMENT AND
YIELD
[3 marks]
Provided a complete account on crop growth,
development and yield
3
Provided an account of ONLY 2 parameters
on crop growth, development and yield
2
Provided an account of ONLY 1 parameter on
crop growth, development and yield
1
Did not attempt the description on crop
growth, development and yield
0
DESCRIPTION OF
EXPERIENCES
[2 marks]
Fully described their experiences 2
Partially described their experiences 1
Did not describe their experience 0
Total Student Report 12

25
Task: Students are required to investigate the growth, development and yield of ochro using
the SWGB
IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE FOR CAC AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE
Time Suggested Activity Monitoring
Week
1
The teacher will:
1. Explain the project to students.
2. Explain how the project will be assessed.
3. Place students into groups.
4. Discuss Student Project Booklet with the students.
Week
2
The teacher will:
1. Identify location for setting up the SWGB.
2. Demonstrate how to prepare the SWGB for planting.
3. Observe, advise, assist and provide feedback to students.
4. Start marking all Student Project Booklets.
The students will:
1. Prepare the SWGB for planting.
2. Fill the reservoir of the box with water.
3. Sow seeds in the SWGB.
4. Record appropriate data into the Students’ Project Booklets
Weeks
3, 4, 5,
and 6
The teacher will:
2. Assess students’ practical work.
3. Continue marking all Student Project Booklets.
The students will:
1. Thin out seedlings.
2. Maintain the SWGB by filling it water.
3. Fertilize the plants as recommended.
4. Measure the height of the plants at weekly intervals.
5. Record appropriate data into the Students’ Project Booklets.
1st
Monitor visit by
end of Week 3
2nd
Monitor visit by
end of Week 6

26
Time Suggested Activity Monitoring
Weeks
7, 8
and 9
The teacher will:
2. Assess students’ practical work.
3. Continue marking all Student Project Booklets.
The students will:
1. Continue measuring the height of the plants at weekly
intervals.
2. Harvest ochroes and record the number of fruits harvested.
3. Calculate the total number of ochroes harvested per box.
4. Record appropriate data into the Students’ Project Booklets.
5. Complete the Students’ Project Booklet.
3rd
Monitor visit by
end of Week 8
Week
10
The teacher will:
1. Complete marking all Student Project Booklets.
2. Record the students’ marks in the School’s Mark Sheet for
CAC Agricultural Science.
3. Upload students’ marks.
The students will:
1. Uproot ochro plants.
2. Dispose of uprooted plants in an appropriate manner e.g.
compost heap.
3. Clean and store the SWGB.
4. Dry potting medium and store for future use.
Week
11
Schools submit to Monitors:
- Mark Sheets
- Samples of Students’ Project Booklets for
moderation.
Monitors collect:
- Sample
Booklets
- Mark Sheet
Week
12
Moderation of Booklets by The Ministry of Education

27
Agricultural Science
Student’s Project Booklet
Education District:
Name:
Class: Standard 4
Teacher:
School:
Project:

1
CAC
Continuous Assessment Component
Student’s Project Booklet
Agricultural ScienceAgricultural Science

2
1. a) Record your observations on plant growth and development in
the table below:
Observations Date
The date that the seeds were planted.
The date that the first seedling emerged from
the growing medium.
The date that the first flower opened. (This is
when the first flower is fully open.)
The date that the first ochro was harvested.
b) Use the data from the table above to calculate the following:
i. The number of days taken from planting to the emergence of the
first seedling was .........................................................................................
ii. The number of days taken from planting to flowering was
...........................................................................................................................
iii. The number of days taken from planting to harvest of the first
ochro was .........................................................................................................

3
2. Record any other observations you may have made on your plants.
Time (weeks) Observations
1
2

4
3
4

5
5
6

6
7
8

7
9
10

8
3. Select one (1) ochro plant and record its height and number of
leaves from emergence to when the first ochro is harvested.
(Height is measured from the base of the stem to the tip of the plant.)
Time
(weeks after planting)
Plant Height
(cm)
Number of Leaves
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8

9
b) Using the height of the ochro plant from the previous table,
draw a bar chart showing the growth of the plant over time.
(Shade the bars up to the appropriate height.)

10
4. Using the harvest data collected, complete the Harvest Record
Chart below:
Harvest Date Number of ochroes harvested in any one
(1) of the SWGB
1st Harvest
2nd Harvest
3rd Harvest
4th Harvest
5th Harvest
TOTAL

11
5. Discuss the growth, development and yield of the ochro plants.
GROWTH:
DEVELOPMENT:
YIELD:

12
6. Please describe your experiences by answering the following
questions:
a) During this project the things that I enjoyed most were
b) I liked working in a team because
c) I think that growing food is important because

13
7. Photograph OR drawing of group members with ochro
crop.
End of Student Project Booklet

14
ASSESSMENT RUBRICS
School ……………………………………………………………………………………………...
PRACTICALWORK [8 marks]
(Teacher observes and assigns individual mark to students)
Total Possible
Marks
Student’s Mark &
Date of Assessment
SAFETY
[2marks]
Works in a manner that is safe to self and
others
2
Only works in a manner that is safe to self or
others
1
Does not work in a safe manner 0
SELECTION AND CARE OFTOOLS
[2 marks]
Selects correct tools and cleans them after use 2
Only selects correct tools or only cleans them
after use
1
Does not select correct tools nor cleans them
after use
0
AGRICULTURAL SKILLS
[2 marks]
Selectanyone(1)skilltoawardmarksinthis
section:
- applying fertilizer
- filling the SWGB with water
- harvesting ochro
The task was completed and done on time 2
The task was incomplete or was not done on
time
1
The task was not attempted 0
TEAMWORK
[2marks]
Willingly participates with others during
activity
2
Needs to be encouraged to participate with
others during activity.
1
Does not attempt to participate with others
during activity.
0
PracticalWorkTotal 8

15
School ……………………………………………………………………………………………...
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS [12 marks]
(Teacher marks individual Student Project Report Booklet) MARKS
Student’s
Mark
DATA COLLECTION
[4 marks]
20 or more data entries were collected and recorded accurately in the
data collection booklet 4
15 to 19 of the data entries were collected and recorded accurately in
the data collection sheet 3
10 to 14 of the data entries were collected and recorded accurately in
the data collection sheet 2
5 to 9 of the data entries were collected and recorded accurately in the
data collection sheet 1
Less than 5 data entries were collected and recorded accurately in the
data collection sheet 0
MANIPULATION
OF DATA
[3 marks]
4 or more points on the bar chart plotted accurately 3
2 to 3 points on the bar chart plotted accurately 2
1 point on the bar chart plotted accurately 1
No points plotted accurately or no attempt made to plot points
0
REPORT ON GROWTH,
DEVELOPMENT AND YIELD
[3 marks]
Provided a complete account on crop growth, development and yield 3
Provided an account of ONLY 2 parameters on crop growth,
development and yield 2
Provided an account of ONLY 1 parameter on crop growth, development
and yield 1
Did not attempt the description on crop growth, development and
yield 0
DESCRIPTION OF
EXPERIENCES
[2 marks]
Fully described their experiences 2
Partially described their experiences 1
Did not describe their experience 0
Total Student Report 12

School’s Mark Sheet for CAC Agricultural Science
School:
Teacher’s Name Class
Name of Student
(Alphabetical order)
Marks
No. SURNAME FIRST NAME
Project
Report
Booklet
TOTAL
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Practical
Work

2
Name of Student
(Alphabetical order)
Marks
No. SURNAME FIRST NAME
Student
Project
Booklet
TOTAL
------------------------- ------------------------
Principal’s Signature
School’s Stamp
Practical
Work

A publication of the Curriculum Development Division,
Ministry of Education
Produced by Corporate Communications Division

CAC Agricultural Science Teacher's Manual

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