Basic 2 · Science · Earth Science
Dry and Wet Seasons
In this topic you will learn about the dry and wet (rainy) seasons in Ghana and why they are important.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Describe the dry and wet seasons
- State the good and bad sides of each season
- Explain that the seasons come again every year
What you already know
- Day and night (Basic 1)
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- Cycles
- Sub-strand
- Earth Science
- Indicator
- B2.2.1.1.1 – Recognize the importance of some cyclic natural phenomena such as dry and wet seasons
Introduction
Some months it rains a lot. Crops grow green. Other months it is dry and dusty. These are the wet and dry seasons.
1. The Two Seasons
| Wet (rainy) season | Dry season | |
|---|---|---|
| rain | much rain | little or no rain |
| plants | green and growing | dry, leaves fall |
| air | damp | dry; harmattan winds in some months |
2. Why the Seasons Matter
| Wet season | Dry season |
|---|---|
| crops grow well | foods like maize and fish dry well |
| rivers and wells fill up | clothes dry quickly |
| cool weather | roads are dry and easy to use |
3. Problems
- Wet season: floods and mosquitoes.
- Dry season: water is scarce and fires spread easily.
Remember: The wet and dry seasons come back every year. They are a cycle.
New words
- season
- A part of the year with its own weather.
- harmattan
- A dry, dusty wind in the dry season.
- cycle
- Something that happens again and again.
- scarce
- Not enough.
Summary
- Ghana has wet and dry seasons.
- The wet season helps crops grow; the dry season helps drying.
- The seasons come again every year.
Class activity: Season Sort
- Look at the pictures of the seasons, dried maize and fresh leaves.
- Sort activities into wet season and dry season.
- Draw your favourite season.
You need: Printed photographs of Ghana’s wet, Dry seasons, Dried maize cobs, Fresh green leaves, Drawing sheets, Crayons
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. In which season do crops grow well?
- A. Wet season
- B. Dry season
- C. Night
- D. Harmattan
Show answer
Answer: Wet seasonCrops need rain.2. What is the harmattan?
- A. A dry, dusty wind
- B. A type of rain
- C. A crop
- D. A river
Show answer
Answer: A dry, dusty windIt blows in the dry season.3. The seasons come back every year.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueThey are a cycle.4. There are no floods in the wet season.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseHeavy rain can cause floods.5. A part of the year with its own weather is a ______.
Show answer
Answer: seasonThat is a season.6. Give one good thing about the dry season.
Show answer
Answer: E.g. foods and clothes dry quickly.The sun dries things.
Homework
- Ask an adult which months are the rainy season in your area.