1. Grades 7-8

2. Overview Air has often been described as the freest thing in the world. Air is found everywhere. Without air, living things cannot survive. Both plants and animals need air to survive. There is need therefore to use the air around us with the utmost care.

3. Purpose The purpose of this lesson is to show how important air is to all living things-plants and animals.

4. Objectives Students will be able to:

i. Demonstrate that air is everywhere
ii. Discuss how plants and animals use air.

5. Resources/materials

• Empty bottle and a bucket of water

6. Activities and Procedures Air in the home as a lesson draws attention to a very important substance often taken for granted. We do not see air but we cannot live without it. Air is found almost everywhere even in the soil and in water. A bottle could be said to be empty when in fact it is not-it contains air which cannot be seen. The teacher could demonstrate that there is air in an empty bottle by the bottle and water experiment. Air bubbles come out as water goes into the bottle.

Plants and animals need air. A plant will not survive if it is kept in a place without air. A bean seed will not germinate in an environment that does not have air. Some of these assertions are difficult to demonstrate as it is very difficult to create an environment that is completely free of air. Such an environment is referred to as a vacuum. It is however easy to show that we as human beings will find it to live without air. The simple demonstration of closing the mouth and nostrils can convince us that living will be difficult if we do not take in air. The students have already learnt that both plants and animals respire. Respiration is a life process. Without air, respiration in most human beings cannot take place. Some plants may respire without air. The poem titled Air can be read to the students.

7. Tying it all together Air is free but it is the most important commodity in our environment for no one can live without air.

8. Assessment The students should write a poem on Air.

9. Author(s) S. T. Bajah [email protected]

10. References STAN (1998) Nigerian Integrated Science Project. Ibadan: Heinemann Educational Books (Nigeria) Limited.