Environmental Degradation · SHS2 Geography

Lesson notes

Learning Objectives

Indicator: 2.3.3.LI.2 - Discuss the causes of soil pollution, its effects and management strategies in Ghana

By the end of the lesson, learners can:

Define soil pollution in their own words and distinguish it from land degradation, which was covered in the previous lesson.
Identify at least four causes of soil pollution in Ghanaian communities and classify them as agricultural, industrial, or domestic sources.
Explain at least three effects of soil pollution on human health, food production, and the environment.
Propose at least two management strategies for preventing or reducing soil pollution in their local communities.
Assess the roles that individuals, communities, and the government play in managing soil pollution, and reflect on their own responsibility as citizens.

This lesson builds on Week 14, where learners discussed land degradation. The focus now shifts specifically to soil pollution, its causes, effects, and management. The depth of knowledge required moves between Level 2 (conceptual understanding) and Level 4 (extended critical thinking), so learners will be expected to analyse and evaluate, not just recall.

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Curriculum details

Strand: Human and Environment (Strand 3)
Sub-strand: Environmental Degradation (3.3)
Content standard: 2.3.3.CS.1 - 2.3.3.CS.1 Demonstrate skills of preventing or mitigating land degradation and soil pollution in Ghana 2.3.3.LO.1 Analyse causes, effects and preventing or mitigating strategies for land degradation and soil pollution in Ghana
Indicator: 2.3.3.LI.2 - Discuss the causes of soil pollution, its effects and management strategies in Ghana
Suggested placement: Semester 2, Week 15 (Week 35 of the year)
Our suggestion, laid out in curriculum order across three terms of twelve weeks. NaCCA does not fix the week, so follow your school's scheme of learning.
Curriculum reference: NaCCA curriculum document, p. 89

Exemplars (from the NaCCA curriculum)

Talk for learning:
- Brainstorm the definition of soil pollution
- In different task groups learners s identify causes of soil pollution in local communities
- discuss and identify the impacts of soil
- pollution on humans and the environment and propose remedies to mitigate the menace. Learners should consider the emotions of individuals who struggle to express themselves
Activity-Based Learning: Create a mind-map on the causes, effects and control of soil erosion in Ghana

Assessment (2.3.3.AS.2). The document marks these depth-of-knowledge levels for this indicator: Level 2 Skills of conceptual understanding; Level 4 Extended critical thinking and reasoning.

Teaching and Learning Resources:
- Pictures/videos and other materials showing land degradation
- Pictures/videos and other materials showing the effects of land degradation on the earth's surface
- Mobile phones
- Computers