REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA

OTJOZONDJUPA REGIONAL COUNCIL

DIRECTORATE OF EDUCATION, ARTS AND CULTURE

DIVISION: PROGRAMME AND QUALITY ASSURANCE

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

ELEMENTARY AGRICULTURE

GRADE 5

TEACHERS GUIDING NOTES

ELEMENTARY AGRICULTURE GRADE 5 GUIDING NOTES: OTJOZONDJUPA REGION PAGE 1

 Remarks to the teachers

1. This is a guiding notes therefore Teachers should not be bounded to the guiding notes only,
they should explore more from different resources
2. Do not photocopy the entire document and give to the learners.
3. Ensure all competencies are addressed on the guiding notes and should all taught.
4. Most picture are lacking, try to provide learners with pictures.
5. Follow the regional Elementary Agriculture year plan.
6. Ensure practical investigations/ projects, topic tasks and tests are given as required.

Regards

R.N. Autoni

SEO: Elementary Agriculture

Otjozondjupa Region: Professional Development Division

ELEMENTARY AGRICULTURE GRADE 5 GUIDING NOTES: OTJOZONDJUPA REGION PAGE 2

 TERM 1

THEME 2: PLANT PRODUCTION

2.1 THE SOIL

What is Soil?

 Soil is a mixture of pieces of broken-down rocks, dead and broken down plant and animal
materials, air, water and living organisms.

Things that made up soil

 Rocks
 Air
 Water
 Living organisms
 Dead and broken down plants
 Animal materials

Identify different types of soil

 Sand

Activity

Page 21 (let`s do)

 Clay
Page 30 – 33 (go for agri..)

 Loam

ELEMENTARY AGRICULTURE GRADE 5 GUIDING NOTES: OTJOZONDJUPA REGION PAGE 3

State reasons for growing plants in soil collected from different areas

 Soils have different amount of nutrients

 Soils have different kinds and quantities of the elements needed by plants for proper
growth

Activity

Page 22 (let`s do)

Analyse the growth of the plants in different types of soil

The nutrients that plants need

 Nitrogen – leaves
 Potassium – flower and fruits
 Phosphorus – roots
 Calcium - cells

2.2 WATER

Study the main source of water in Namibia

 rain,
 rivers,
 dams
 ground water e.g. wells
 Taps
 Canal

Describe the importance of water to plant growth

 To make their own food

 To get their food from the soil
 To grow well
 To be firm
 To cool down

2.3 LIGHT FOR PLANTS

Predict the effect of light on plant growth

 Plant need light to grow well

 Plant need light to make their own food

ELEMENTARY AGRICULTURE GRADE 5 GUIDING NOTES: OTJOZONDJUPA REGION PAGE 4

Study and record plant growth with or without light

Growth with light Growth without light

Activity

Page 31, 32 (Let`s do

2.4PLANT DISEASES AND PESTS

List the main three types of diseases affecting plants

1. Viral diseases e.g. Mosaic

2. Bacterial diseases e.g. Blight and leaf spot
3. Fungal diseases e.g. Mildew and rust

List the main four types of pests that attack plants and give one example of each

1. Biting and chewing e.g. grasshoppers, chicken, beetles

2. Piercing and sucking e.g. aphids and spider mites
3. Boring e.g. boring caterpillars, beetles and fruit flies
4. Nematodes e.g. white grubs and eelworms

Activity

1. Look at the photos of pests. Look for these around your home and school

2. Make a list of any pest and parasites you find. Write down where you have seen each type.

ELEMENTARY AGRICULTURE GRADE 5 GUIDING NOTES: OTJOZONDJUPA REGION PAGE 5

Describe how diseases and pests can cause damage to plants

 Damage plants leaves

 Without health leaves , a plant cannot produce own food
 Leaves and flowers turn black and die
 Pests can damage the fruits
 Pests cause roots swelling

2.5 WEEDS

Define weeds

 Weeds are plants that grows where it is not wanted

Distinguish and remove unwanted plants from the desired plants

 Use chemicals to kill weeds

 Use your hands to remove weeds
 Plant crop`s rows closer together
 Plant different crops on the same time and in the same area

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ELEMENTARY AGRICULTURE GRADE 5 GUIDING NOTES: OTJOZONDJUPA REGION PAGE 6

 TERM 2

THEME 3: ANIMAL PRODUCTION

3.1 TYPES OF FARM ANIMALS

Identify the various animals found in their regions Cattle

 Goat
 Sheep
 Donkey
 Pig
 Horse
 Duck
 Chicken
 Ostrich
 Games – Kudu, Springbok

Two types of animals groups

1. Wild animals

2. Domestic animals

Explain the uses of different type of animals that are kept in a particular region

Animals Products/Uses
Cattle Meat, milk, skin, manure
Goat Meat, milk, skin, manure, mohair
Sheep Meat, skin, wool, manure
Duck, Chicken, Ostrich Feather, eggs, meat, manure
Donkey For ploughing, transport, manure
Horse For transport, manure
Pig Meat, fat, manure
Rabbit Meat, hair, manure

3.2 CARING FOR FARM ANIMALS

The importance of caring for farm animals

 To be healthy
 To grow well
 To increase the productivity of animals

Describe how farmers should look after their animals

 Give them water and food everyday

 Protect them from sun, wind, rain, cold, hot etc.
 Protect them against predators and thieves
 Protect them from parasites and diseases
 Provide them with a suitable houses
ELEMENTARY AGRICULTURE GRADE 5 GUIDING NOTES: OTJOZONDJUPA REGION PAGE 7
3.3 FEEDING OF ANIMALS

Explain the need for a farmer to feed his/her animals

 To grow
 To produce
 To reproduce

List the types of food needed by animals

 Seeds
 Leaves
 Grass
 Fodder
 Hay
 Silage

Distinguish between natural pasture and fodder

Natural pasture Fodder

Is what we call grass, bushes, shrubs and Are plants which are grown especially to
trees which grow naturally in the veld feed animals e.g. hay, silage, fodder

3.4 HOUSING

Discuss the importance of animal houses

 Protect animals from harsh (bad weather) e.g. sun, wind and rain
 Protect animals from predators
 Keep animals from predators
 Keep animals clean and healthy
 Protect animals from diseases
 Prevents animals from being injured
 It is easier to feed animals

Animal houses

Animals Houses
Chicken Fowl run/cage
Horse Stable
Pig Pigsty/pig pen
Rabbit Hutch
Sheep/goat Kraal
Cattle Kraal/shed
Ostrich and game Open veld
Fish Aquarium/pond

ELEMENTARY AGRICULTURE GRADE 5 GUIDING NOTES: OTJOZONDJUPA REGION PAGE 8

Practical Activity

Select and build a simple structure for animal houses using local materials

Identify materials that can be used for construction of

various animals’ houses

 Stick (tree branches)

 Wire
 Bricks
 Stone
 Cement
 Zinc
 Poles
 Big leaves
 Strong grass
 Straw

3.5 ANIMAL DISEASES

Diseases is a sickness or illness caused by infection e.g. virus, bacteria, and fungi.

List common diseases that attack animals

 Foot and mouth disease

 Rift valley fever
 New castle disease
 Sheep scab
 Horse sickness
 Rabies

ELEMENTARY AGRICULTURE GRADE 5 GUIDING NOTES: OTJOZONDJUPA REGION PAGE 9

3.5 ANIMAL PARASITES

Parasites are animals that live inside or outside of another animal’s body.

List any two common parasites that attack animals

External parasites

 Ticks
 Mites
 Flies
 Lice

Internal parasites

 Roundworms
 Tapeworms
 Hookworms

Explain how these diseases and parasites can be prevented from attacking our animals

 Keep animals house clean

 Dip or spray animals
 Dose the animals
 Vaccinate your animals
 Separate sick animals
 Fodder must be fresh

3.5 ANIMAL PREDATORS

Predators are animals that kill and eat other animals

List any two common predators that attack animals

 Cheetah
 Leopard
 Snake
 Eagle
 Jackal
 Wild dog etc.

Explain how predators can be prevented from attacking our animals

 Building a kraal that is high enough

 Cover the shelter
 Keep gates to the shelter closed
 Use trained dog to look after animals
 Provide animals with good houses

ELEMENTARY AGRICULTURE GRADE 5 GUIDING NOTES: OTJOZONDJUPA REGION PAGE 10

 TERM 3

THEME 1: GENERAL AGRICULTURE

Agriculture is the science of raising animals and growing crops.

1.1 THE ROLE OF AGRICULTURE TO THE FAMILY

 Provide job
 Provide income/money
 Provide food
 Provide raw materials

Distinguish between food for human and animal consumption

Human consumption Animal consumption

Cabbage Grass
Mahangu Leaves
Maize Mahangu
Maize

Identify and collect food samples to distinguish between foods provided (produced) by
animals and plants

Plants Animals
Porridge Meat
Rice Eggs
Breads Milk
Sugar Butter
Biscuits Cheese

List the types of food produced locally in their communities

 mahangu (millet),
 maize,
 mutton,
 beef,
 Fish
 Eggs
 Milk
 Fish
 Vegetables e.g. Tomatoes, cabbage, spinach
 Fruits e.g. Mangoes, guava
 Beans

ELEMENTARY AGRICULTURE GRADE 5 GUIDING NOTES: OTJOZONDJUPA REGION PAGE 11

1.2 THE ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE

List the characteristics of the owner successful agro-businesses in their communities

Describe the characteristics for the owners of successful agro businesses listed

 Hard working
 Knows how to use money
 They are friendly
 Have good communication skills
 Do research
 Plan ahead
 Motivated to succeed
 Take notes
 Have clear goals
 Work together with others

Three types of enterprises in Agriculture

 Micro – enterprises (1 – 5 employees)

 Small business enterprises (5 – 50 employees)
 Medium business enterprises (50 – 250 employees)

Explain how one can become an entrepreneur or an owner of a successful agro-business

 Talk to people who are successful

 You must have start-up money
 Know the products you want to sell
 Know how to use money
 Advertise your products
 Prepare to work hard and long hours

Select simple agro-business activities

1.3 ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH AGRICULTURE

 Deforestation
 Desertification
 Pollution
 Soil erosion

ELEMENTARY AGRICULTURE GRADE 5 GUIDING NOTES: OTJOZONDJUPA REGION PAGE 12

What is soil erosion?

Soil erosion is the removal of top soil by wind or water.

Identify the causes of soil erosion

 Wind
 Water
 Fire
 Overgrazing
 Overstocking
 Cutting down trees

Ways of preventing and controlling soil erosion

 Do not cut down trees

 Prevent veld fire
 Control the number of animals
 Plant grasses and trees
 Do not plough up and down hill

Explain the effect of soil erosion on crop and animal production

Plant production (crop)

 Soil erosion leads to smaller crops

 Erosion destroys the soil texture
 Soil erosion destroys soil structure

Animal production

 Plant will not grow well

 Animals will not have enough food to eat
 Animals can even die due to a lack of food

THEME 4: FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

4.1 MANAGEMENT OF PERSONAL FINANCES

Financial management is the management of money.

What is a budget?

A budget consist of a list of all the money you earn (income) and all the money you spend
(expenses)

ELEMENTARY AGRICULTURE GRADE 5 GUIDING NOTES: OTJOZONDJUPA REGION PAGE 13

How to prepare a family budget

 Include everyone in the family

 Hold a budget meeting with your family
 Have time to create the budget
 Check the budget at the beginning of each month
 Start with the family income
 List your expenses

Definition of terms

Income is the money that you get/receive.

Expenses are the money that you spend.

Class activity
Outline the procedure used in preparing a family budget by identifying the sources of income and
expenditures and matching the two.

Calculate income by keeping personal and family financial records

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%END OF TER 3 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

ELEMENTARY AGRICULTURE GRADE 5 GUIDING NOTES: OTJOZONDJUPA REGION PAGE 14