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Year 7

Using chemicals in farming

I can describe and explain the benefits and drawbacks of using chemicals such as fertilisers and pesticides in farming.

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New
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Year 7

Using chemicals in farming

I can describe and explain the benefits and drawbacks of using chemicals such as fertilisers and pesticides in farming.

Download all resources
arrow-right
Share activities with pupils
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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Farmers use chemicals called fertilisers to produce more crops.
  2. Farmers use chemicals called pesticides to produce more crops.
  3. Some pesticides kill insects and this helps crops to grow because they are not being eaten.
  4. Some pesticides kill other plants (weeds) that compete with the crops to grow.
  5. Fertilisers and pesticides can be harmful to the environment and wildlife.

Keywords

  • Fertiliser - Fertilisers are minerals that are added to the soil to help plants to grow.

  • Pesticide - Pesticides are chemicals that are used to kill organisms such as insects and weeds, which prevent crop growth.

  • Organic - Organic farming only uses chemicals that come from other living things (are not man-made).

  • Herbicide - Herbicides are a type of pesticide. They kill plants. They are sometimes also known as weedkillers.

  • Insecticide - Insecticides are a type of pesticide. These chemicals kill insects.

Common misconception

Pupils don’t realise that insecticides and herbicides are all examples of pesticides.

Pupils should understand pesticides are a group of chemicals that kill organisms. Different types of pesticide kill different types of pest.

You could get pupils to think about the pros and cons of using chemicals to help ensure that humans have enough food to eat. There are many benefits and disadvantages that can be explored.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
A is an organism that eats other organisms to get the food that they need to survive.
Correct Answer: consumer, Consumer
Q2.
An insect is an organism with how many pairs of legs?
1
2
Correct answer: 3
4
5
Q3.
Which statements are correct?
Correct answer: Producers make food using light and chemicals from their surroundings.
Producers depend on other organisms to get the food that they need to survive.
Correct answer: Consumers depend on producers to get the food that they need to survive.
Consumers are able to make their own food.
Q4.
Look at the food chain diagram. What is the name of the organism that the mole eats?
An image in a quiz
Leaves
Correct answer: Worm
Owl
Q5.
A habitat provides organisms with three things. These are food, and a place to reproduce.
Correct Answer: shelter, Shelter
Q6.
Look at this food chain from the sea. What will happen if all of the copepods die?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: The number of arrow-worms will decrease
The number of arrow-worms will increase
The number of plankton will decrease
The number of herring will stay the same

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match each word to the correct definition.
Correct Answer:Insecticide,a chemical which is used to kill insects

a chemical which is used to kill insects

Correct Answer:Pesticide,a chemical which is used to kill pests

a chemical which is used to kill pests

Correct Answer:Herbicide,a chemical which is used to kill plants

a chemical which is used to kill plants

Correct Answer:Fertiliser,provides producers with minerals that they need to grow well

provides producers with minerals that they need to grow well

Correct Answer:Organic,material which comes from a living thing

material which comes from a living thing

Q2.
Which of the following is a reason why a farmer might use a pesticide?
Correct answer: to kill organisms that cause damage to a crop
to kill bees and insects that pollinate a crop
to kill all organisms other than the crop itself
Q3.
Look at the food chain diagram. What would a farmer use to kill the aphids on the potato crop?
An image in a quiz
Fertiliser
Manure
Herbicide
Correct answer: Insecticide
Q4.
are chemicals that are used to make plants grow to produce lots of flowers or fruits.
Correct Answer: Fertilisers, Fertiliser, Fertilizers, Fertilizer
Q5.
Some herbicides are called selective herbicides. What does this mean?
The herbicide kills all plants that are sprayed.
Correct answer: The herbicide kills only some types of plants that are sprayed.
The herbicide kills only insects that are sprayed.
The herbicide kills no plants that are sprayed.
Q6.
Chemicals are important in farming to help grow food for humans and other animals. However, too much use can be dangerous. Match the chemical with possible impacts on other organisms.
Correct Answer:Too much fertiliser,causes algae to grow quickly in lakes, reducing light and oxygen

causes algae to grow quickly in lakes, reducing light and oxygen

Correct Answer:Insecticides,can kill organisms that help with pollination

can kill organisms that help with pollination

Correct Answer:Herbicides,can kill plants that provide habitats for other organisms

can kill plants that provide habitats for other organisms