Safe Handling and Importance of Plants

Activity 1.13: Identifying ways of handling harmful plants safely

Grade Five learners were taken by their teacher to the field to observe plants. Halima and Safari saw some beautiful flowers on a plant.

Halima reached out to pick a beautiful pink flower. She got pricked in her finger. It was painful. She let out a loud cry.

The teacher came to find out what the problem was. She explained to the learners that it is always safe to wear protective clothing when handling harmful plants.

Some plants have thorns. They prick. Other plants sting. Others produce a sticky substance that can stain the skin and even clothes. She cautioned them against tasting and smelling harmful plants.

Activity 1.14: Finding out the importance of flowering plants

Work safely in groups. Talk about this picture. In your discussions, use the words given in the picture.

Write short notes on the importance of flowering plants. Compare your notes with those of others.

Caring for plants in our communities: In what ways can we protect plants in our home and school areas? Share your ideas with others.

Activity 1.15: Identifying the importance of flowering plants

See the Agriculture link

Work safely in groups. Talk about the importance of flowering plants. Refer to your Agriculture and Environmental Activities lessons. Talk about and record the plant sources of what is shown in these pictures.

Use the Internet to find out the following: Are sisal, coffee and cotton flowering plants? What is their importance?

Find out more about the uses of flowering plants. Record your findings. Share the information with others.

Caring for Animals: We keep domestic animals in our homes. We must care for them. We should feed and water them, and clean their sheds.

Learn more. Grow. Share the knowledge with your family and community members

Precautions to take when handling harmful plants

1. Some plants are harmful. Some have thorns. Others produce a bad smell. Others produce substances that stick to the skin. Others irritate the skin. Others are poisonous.
2. Harmful plants can cause illness and even death.
3. You must always be careful when handling plants.
   • Do not eat any fruits or berries you come across.
   • Do not touch poisonous plants with your bare hands.
   • Do not smell poisonous plants.

The importance of flowering plants

1. Plants are sources of food for humans. Some farmers have gardens. Others have large farms. They plant food and cash crops. Agriculture is an important subject. Agriculture is a source of income for many families.
2. Plants provide food for wild and domestic animals. Domestic animals eat maize stalks and other flowering plants. Farmers sell milk and other animal products.
3. Fruits from plants are used to make juices. Fresh juices are rich in vitamins and mineral salts. Selling juices is a source of income.
4. Trees are big plants. Trees control soil erosion.
5. Cotton comes from the cotton plant. Cotton is used to make cloths. Most school uniforms are made of cotton. Sisal fibres come from the sisal plant. Sisal fibres are used to make baskets, ropes and sacks.
6. Plants with flowers are used to beautify compounds.
7. Wood comes from trees. Wood is used to make paper. Wood is also used to make chairs and desks.
8. Wood is used as firewood. Wood is also used to make charcoal. (Save trees: What other fuels can we use in order to save the trees in our environment?)
9. Most medicines come from plants. Plants that are used to treat diseases are called medicinal plants. Medicines are used to treat diseases.

Community Service Learning and Sharing Knowledge

It is important to take care of trees in our local areas. If we cut down all the trees for wood, fire and charcoal, it can lead to desertification. Share this information with your family members and people in your community.

Activity 1.16: Appreciating plants as part of creation

Religious Education: In your Religion, what do the Scriptures say about plants? Find out. Share the knowledge with others.

Read this poem to appreciate plants as part of God’s creation.

From the poem, in what ways are plants important? In what ways can we appreciate plants as part of God’s creation?

Flowering and non-flowering plants

Think about all the plants you know that grow in your locality. Write down their names in English and in the local language.

1. Name those that are green. Which ones are flowering plants?
2. Which ones are non-flowering plants? Complete this activity.