Living Things and their Environment

Nutrition in plants - External structure of the leaf

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:

- Identify the external parts of a leaf
- Draw and label external parts of a leaf
- Show interest in exploring plant structures

- Observe pictures showing external structure of a leaf
- Identify external parts of the leaf from the pictures
- Discuss the functions of each external part of the leaf

What is the importance of photosynthesis in nature?

- Mentor Integrated Science (pg. 49)
- Charts showing external structure of leaf
- Digital resources
- Fresh leaves

- Observation - Oral questions - Drawings

Living Things and their Environment

Nutrition in plants - Functions of leaf parts
Nutrition in plants - Observing leaf structures
Nutrition in plants - Leaf adaptations for photosynthesis
Nutrition in plants - Internal structure of the leaf

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:

- Describe the functions of external leaf parts
- Relate the structure of leaf parts to their functions
- Appreciate the diversity of leaf structures

- Discuss the functions of each external part of the leaf
- Relate the structure of leaf parts to their functions
- Share findings with classmates

What is the importance of photosynthesis in nature?

- Mentor Integrated Science (pg. 50)
- Charts showing external structure of leaf
- Digital resources
- Fresh leaves
- Hand lens
- Drawing materials
- Mentor Integrated Science (pg. 51)
- Charts showing leaf adaptations
- Reference materials
- Mentor Integrated Science (pg. 52)
- Charts showing internal structure of leaf
- Models

- Observation - Written assignments - Oral presentations

Living Things and their Environment

Nutrition in plants - Leaf tissues for photosynthesis
Nutrition in plants - Internal adaptations for photosynthesis
Nutrition in plants - Structure of chloroplast
Nutrition in plants - Chloroplast adaptations

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:

- Explain the functions of internal leaf tissues
- Relate internal leaf structures to photosynthesis
- Appreciate the complexity of leaf tissues

- Discuss the functions of different internal leaf tissues
- Relate the structure of internal leaf tissues to photosynthesis
- Share findings with classmates

What is the importance of photosynthesis in nature?

- Mentor Integrated Science (pg. 53)
- Charts showing internal leaf tissues
- Digital resources
- Models
- Mentor Integrated Science (pg. 54)
- Charts showing internal leaf adaptations
- Reference materials
- Mentor Integrated Science (pg. 55)
- Charts showing structure of chloroplast
- Mentor Integrated Science (pg. 56)
- Photomicrographs of chloroplasts
- Charts showing chloroplast structure

- Observation - Written assignments - Oral presentations

Living Things and their Environment

Nutrition in plants - Process of photosynthesis
Nutrition in plants - Conditions for photosynthesis
Nutrition in plants - Stages of photosynthesis
Nutrition in plants - Testing for starch

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:

- Explain the process of photosynthesis
- Identify raw materials and products of photosynthesis
- Show interest in understanding photosynthesis

- Discuss conditions and raw materials necessary for photosynthesis
- Identify products of photosynthesis
- Search for information on the process of photosynthesis

What is the importance of photosynthesis in nature?

- Mentor Integrated Science (pg. 57)
- Charts showing photosynthesis process
- Digital resources
- Reference materials
- Mentor Integrated Science (pg. 58)
- Charts showing conditions for photosynthesis
- Mentor Integrated Science (pg. 59)
- Charts showing stages of photosynthesis
- Mentor Integrated Science (pg. 60)
- Apparatus for testing starch in leaves
- Chemicals (iodine solution)
- Fresh leaves
- Heat source

- Observation - Oral questions - Written assignments

Living Things and their Environment

Nutrition in plants - Light and photosynthesis
Nutrition in plants - Carbon (IV) oxide and photosynthesis
Nutrition in plants - Chlorophyll and photosynthesis
Nutrition in plants - Importance of photosynthesis

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:

- Investigate whether light is necessary for photosynthesis
- Control variables in an experiment
- Practice safety measures when conducting experiments

- Design an experiment to investigate the effect of light on photosynthesis
- Set up the experiment with appropriate controls
- Record and analyze results
- Draw conclusions from the experiment

What is the importance of photosynthesis in nature?

- Mentor Integrated Science (pg. 61)
- Potted plants
- Aluminum foil/carbon paper
- Apparatus for testing starch
- Chemicals
- Mentor Integrated Science (pg. 62)
- Conical flasks with corks
- Potassium hydroxide solution
- Mentor Integrated Science (pg. 63)
- Variegated leaves
- Heat source
- Mentor Integrated Science (pg. 64)
- Digital resources
- Charts showing importance of photosynthesis
- Reference materials

- Observation - Practical work - Written reports

Living Things and their Environment

Nutrition in plants - Environmental impact of photosynthesis
Nutrition in animals - Modes of nutrition in animals
Nutrition in animals - Parasitic mode of nutrition
Nutrition in animals - Saprophytic mode of nutrition

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:

- Describe how photosynthesis affects carbon (IV) oxide levels
- Explain the role of photosynthesis in reducing global warming
- Value plants as contributors to environmental balance

- Discuss how photosynthesis affects the carbon cycle
- Explain how plants help reduce carbon (IV) oxide in the atmosphere
- Relate photosynthesis to environmental conservation

What is the importance of photosynthesis in nature?

- Mentor Integrated Science (pg. 65)
- Digital resources
- Charts showing carbon cycle
- Reference materials
- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 73)
- Digital devices
- Pictures of animals with different feeding habits
- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 74)
- Pictures of parasitic animals
- Pictures/videos of saprophytic organisms

- Observation - Written assignments - Oral presentations

Living Things and their Environment

Nutrition in animals - Symbiotic mode of nutrition
Nutrition in animals - Holozoic mode of nutrition
Nutrition in animals - Types of teeth (structure)
Nutrition in animals - Types of teeth (functions)

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:

- Explain symbiotic mode of nutrition
- Identify organisms that exhibit symbiotic relationships in feeding
- Appreciate the interdependence of organisms in nutrition

- Observe pictures of symbiotic relationships
- Discuss examples of symbiotic relationships in feeding
- Research on symbiotic relationships
- Create presentations on symbiotic relationships

How do different animals feed?

- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 75)
- Digital devices
- Pictures of symbiotic relationships
- Pictures of animals with holozoic feeding
- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 76)
- Dental models or charts
- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 77)

- Observation - Oral questions - Written assignments - Group presentations

Living Things and their Environment

Nutrition in animals - Dentition in animals (homodont and heterodont)
Nutrition in animals - Dentition in carnivores
Nutrition in animals - Dentition in herbivores

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:

- Differentiate between homodont and heterodont dentition
- Classify animals based on their dentition
- Appreciate the diversity in animal dentition

- Observe pictures of different animal teeth
- Compare and contrast homodont and heterodont dentition
- Classify animals as either homodont or heterodont
- Research on examples of animals with different dentition types

How is food digested in the human body?

- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 78)
- Pictures of animal teeth
- Digital devices
- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 79)
- Pictures/models of carnivore teeth
- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 80)
- Pictures/models of herbivore teeth

- Observation - Oral questions - Classification exercises - Written assignments

Living Things and their Environment

Nutrition in animals - Dentition in omnivores
Nutrition in animals - Process of digestion (ingestion)

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:

- Describe the dentition of omnivores
- Identify adaptations of omnivore teeth to their feeding habits
- Show interest in understanding omnivore dentition

- Observe pictures/models of omnivore teeth
- Discuss the adaptations of omnivore teeth to their feeding habits
- Research on examples of omnivores and their dentition
- Make presentations on omnivore dentition

How is food digested in the human body?

- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 81)
- Pictures/models of omnivore teeth
- Digital devices
- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 82)
- Charts/models of the digestive system

- Observation - Oral questions - Written assignments - Presentations

Living Things and their Environment

Nutrition in animals - Process of digestion (digestion)
Nutrition in animals - Process of digestion (absorption)

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:

- Explain the process of digestion in human beings
- Identify organs involved in digestion and their functions
- Appreciate the importance of proper digestion

- Discuss the process of digestion in different parts of the digestive system
- Using charts/models, identify organs involved in digestion
- Research on mechanical and chemical digestion
- Present findings to the class

How is food digested in the human body?

- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 83)
- Charts/models of the digestive system
- Digital devices

- Observation - Oral questions - Written assignments - Presentations

Living Things and their Environment

Nutrition in animals - Process of digestion (assimilation)
Nutrition in animals - Process of digestion (egestion)

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:

- Explain the process of assimilation in human beings
- Describe how absorbed nutrients are utilized in the body
- Value the importance of proper nutrition for body functions

- Discuss the process of assimilation
- Research on how different nutrients are used in the body
- Create presentations on the process of assimilation
- Discuss the importance of proper nutrition

How is food digested in the human body?

- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 84)
- Charts of the circulatory system
- Digital devices
- Charts/models of the large intestine

- Observation - Oral questions - Written assignments - Presentations

Living Things and their Environment

Reproduction in plants - Parts of a flower
Reproduction in plants - Functions of parts of a flower
Reproduction in plants - Meaning of pollination
Reproduction in plants - Types of pollination (self-pollination)

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:

- Identify external parts of a flower
- Draw and label parts of a flower
- Appreciate the complexity of flower structure

- Collect and observe flowers from the school compound
- Identify and name the parts of the flowers
- Draw and label the parts of a flower
- Discuss the functions of the parts of a flower

How does reproduction in plants occur?

- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 86)
- Fresh flowers
- Hand lens
- Drawing materials
- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 87)
- Flower models or charts
- Digital devices
- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 88)
- Videos on pollination
- Charts showing pollination
- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 89)
- Charts showing self-pollination

- Observation - Drawing assessment - Oral questions - Written assignments

Living Things and their Environment

Reproduction in plants - Types of pollination (cross-pollination)
Reproduction in plants - Agents of pollination (insects)
Reproduction in plants - Agents of pollination (birds, other animals)
Reproduction in plants - Agents of pollination (wind, water)

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:

- Explain cross-pollination
- Identify plants that undergo cross-pollination
- Appreciate the advantages of cross-pollination

- Discuss cross-pollination
- Use diagrams/charts to illustrate cross-pollination
- Research on examples of plants that undergo cross-pollination
- Compare self-pollination and cross-pollination

How does reproduction in plants occur?

- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 89)
- Charts showing cross-pollination
- Digital devices
- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 90)
- Pictures/videos of insect pollinators
- Pictures/videos of bird and animal pollinators
- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 91)
- Pictures/videos of wind and water pollination

- Observation - Oral questions - Written assignments - Group presentations

Living Things and their Environment

Reproduction in plants - Adaptations of flowers to insect pollination
Reproduction in plants - Adaptations of flowers to wind pollination

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:

- Identify adaptations of flowers to insect pollination
- Explain how these adaptations facilitate insect pollination
- Appreciate the relationship between structure and function

- Observe insect-pollinated flowers
- Identify and discuss adaptations to insect pollination
- Compare different insect-pollinated flowers
- Create presentations on adaptations to insect pollination

How does reproduction in plants occur?

- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 92)
- Fresh insect-pollinated flowers
- Pictures of insect-pollinated flowers
- Hand lens
- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 93)
- Fresh wind-pollinated flowers
- Pictures of wind-pollinated flowers

- Observation - Oral questions - Written assignments - Group presentations

Living Things and their Environment

Reproduction in plants - Effects of agrochemicals on pollinating agents
Reproduction in plants - Fertilization in flowering plants

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:

- Explain the effects of agrochemicals on pollinating agents
- Describe how these effects impact plant reproduction
- Show concern for the impact of human activities on pollinators

- Research on the effects of agrochemicals on pollinating agents
- Discuss how these effects impact plant reproduction
- Debate on the use of agrochemicals and their effects on pollination
- Present findings to class

How does reproduction in plants occur?

- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 94)
- Digital devices
- Articles on effects of agrochemicals on pollinators
- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 95)
- Videos on fertilization in plants
- Charts showing fertilization process

- Observation - Oral questions - Written assignments - Debate assessment

Living Things and their Environment

Reproduction in plants - Seed formation in flowering plants
Reproduction in plants - Fruit formation in flowering plants

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:

- Explain the process of seed formation in flowering plants
- Identify the changes that occur during seed formation
- Value the importance of seeds in plant reproduction

- Watch videos on seed formation
- Use diagrams/charts to illustrate seed formation
- Observe different stages of seed development if available
- Discuss the changes that occur during seed formation

How does reproduction in plants occur?

- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 96)
- Videos on seed formation
- Charts showing seed formation
- Samples of seeds at different developmental stages
- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 97)
- Videos on fruit formation
- Charts showing fruit formation
- Samples of fruits at different developmental stages

- Observation - Oral questions - Written assignments - Drawing assessment

Living Things and their Environment

Reproduction in plants - Fruit and seed dispersal (meaning and importance)
Reproduction in plants - Modes of fruit and seed dispersal (animals)

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:

- Explain the meaning of fruit and seed dispersal
- Describe the importance of fruit and seed dispersal
- Value the role of dispersal in plant reproduction

- Discuss the meaning of fruit and seed dispersal
- Research on the importance of fruit and seed dispersal
- Debate on what would happen if seeds were not dispersed
- Present findings to class

How does reproduction in plants occur?

- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 98)
- Digital devices
- Charts showing seed dispersal
- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 99)
- Samples of animal-dispersed fruits and seeds
- Pictures of animal dispersal

- Observation - Oral questions - Written assignments - Debate assessment

Living Things and their Environment

Reproduction in plants - Modes of fruit and seed dispersal (wind, water)
Reproduction in plants - Modes of fruit and seed dispersal (self-dispersal mechanisms)

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:

- Explain wind and water dispersal of fruits and seeds
- Identify fruits and seeds dispersed by wind and water
- Show interest in different dispersal mechanisms

- Collect and observe fruits and seeds dispersed by wind and water
- Discuss the adaptations of these fruits and seeds for wind and water dispersal
- Research on examples of wind and water dispersed fruits and seeds
- Create presentations on wind and water dispersal

How does reproduction in plants occur?

- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 100)
- Samples of wind and water-dispersed fruits and seeds
- Digital devices
- Pictures of wind and water dispersal
- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 101)
- Samples of self-dispersed fruits and seeds
- Pictures of self-dispersal mechanisms

- Observation - Oral questions - Written assignments - Collection assessment

Living Things and their Environment

Reproduction in plants - Adaptations of fruits and seeds for dispersal
Reproduction in plants - Role of flowers in nature
The interdependence of life - Components of the environment

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:

- Identify adaptations of fruits and seeds for different dispersal methods
- Categorize fruits and seeds based on their dispersal methods
- Value the relationship between structure and function

- Collect and observe different fruits and seeds
- Identify adaptations for different dispersal methods
- Categorize the fruits and seeds based on their dispersal methods
- Create presentations on adaptations for dispersal

How does reproduction in plants occur?

- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 102)
- Various fruit and seed samples
- Hand lens
- Sorting trays
- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 105)
- Digital devices
- Pictures of different flowers and their roles
- Charts on flower roles in ecosystems
- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 107)
- School grounds
- Notebooks

- Observation - Oral questions - Classification activities - Written assignments

Living Things and their Environment

The interdependence of life - Biotic factors (predation)
The interdependence of life - Biotic factors (parasitism)
The interdependence of life - Biotic factors (symbiosis)
The interdependence of life - Biotic factors (competition)

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:

- Explain predation as a biotic interaction
- Identify examples of predator-prey relationships
- Show interest in predator-prey relationships

- Discuss predation as a biotic interaction
- Observe pictures/videos of predator-prey relationships
- Research on examples of predator-prey relationships
- Present findings to class

What is the role of living and non-living factors in environments?

- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 108)
- Pictures/videos of predator-prey relationships
- Digital devices
- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 109)
- Pictures/videos of parasitic relationships
- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 110)
- Pictures/videos of symbiotic relationships
- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 111)
- Pictures/videos of competitive relationships

- Observation - Oral questions - Written assignments - Group presentations

Living Things and their Environment

The interdependence of life - Biotic factors (saprophytic)
The interdependence of life - Abiotic factors (temperature)
The interdependence of life - Abiotic factors (light)
The interdependence of life - Abiotic factors (water)

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:

- Explain saprophytic relationships as a biotic interaction
- Identify examples of saprophytic organisms
- Appreciate the role of saprophytes in ecosystems

- Discuss saprophytic relationships
- Observe pictures/videos of saprophytic organisms
- Research on examples of saprophytic organisms
- Create presentations on saprophytic relationships

What is the role of living and non-living factors in environments?

- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 112)
- Pictures/videos of saprophytic organisms
- Digital devices
- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 113)
- Thermometers
- Pictures/videos of organisms in different temperature zones
- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 114)
- Light meters (if available)
- Plants grown under different light conditions
- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 115)
- Pictures of plants from arid and wet environments
- Water samples

- Observation - Oral questions - Written assignments - Group presentations

Living Things and their Environment

The interdependence of life - Abiotic factors (wind)
The interdependence of life - Abiotic factors (atmospheric pressure, pH and salinity)

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:

- Explain how wind affects living organisms
- Describe adaptations of organisms to windy environments
- Appreciate the role of wind in ecosystems

- Discuss how wind affects living organisms
- Research on adaptations of organisms to windy environments
- Observe plants from windy and sheltered environments
- Present findings to class

What is the role of living and non-living factors in environments?

- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 116)
- Pictures of plants from windy and sheltered environments
- Digital devices
- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 117)
- pH testing equipment (if available)
- Water samples of different salinity

- Observation - Oral questions - Written assignments - Group presentations

Living Things and their Environment

The interdependence of life - Energy flow (food chains)
The interdependence of life - Energy flow (food webs)

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:

- Explain the concept of food chains
- Construct simple food chains
- Appreciate energy flow in ecosystems

- Discuss the concept of food chains
- Identify producers and consumers in the environment
- Construct simple food chains using organisms observed in the local environment
- Present food chains to class

What is the role of living and non-living factors in environments?

- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 118)
- Charts showing food chains
- Pictures of local organisms
- Digital devices
- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 119)
- Charts showing food webs

- Observation - Oral questions - Food chain construction assessment - Written assignments

Living Things and their Environment

The interdependence of life - Human activities (habitat change)
The interdependence of life - Human activities (hunting and poaching)

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:

- Explain how human activities lead to habitat change
- Describe the effects of habitat change on ecosystems
- Show concern for habitat conservation

- Discuss human activities that lead to habitat change
- Research on the effects of habitat change on ecosystems
- Debate on the balance between development and conservation
- Present findings to class

What is the role of living and non-living factors in environments?

- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 120)
- Pictures showing habitat change
- Digital devices
- Newspaper articles
- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 121)
- Pictures related to hunting and poaching

- Observation - Oral questions - Debate assessment - Written assignments

Living Things and their Environment

The interdependence of life - Human activities (introduction of new living things)
The interdependence of life - Interrelationships in Kenya national parks
The interdependence of life - Role of decomposers in ecosystems

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:

- Explain the effects of introducing new species to ecosystems
- Describe examples of invasive species and their impacts
- Appreciate the importance of biodiversity conservation

- Discuss the effects of introducing new species to ecosystems
- Research on examples of invasive species and their impacts
- Debate on the management of invasive species
- Present findings to class

What is the role of living and non-living factors in environments?

- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 122)
- Pictures of invasive species
- Digital devices
- Newspaper articles
- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 123)
- Pictures of Kenya national parks
- Maps of Kenya national parks
- Mentor Integrated Science Grade 9 (pg. 125)
- Pictures/videos of decomposers
- Materials to create models

- Observation - Oral questions - Debate assessment - Written assignments