Respect for Constituted Authority – Civic Education for Primary 3
Lesson Plan: Respect for Constituted Authority
Subject: Civic Education
Class: Basic 3 / Primary 3 / Class 3
Term: Second Term
Week: Week 9
Age: 8-9 Years
Topic: Respect for Constituted Authority
Sub-topic: Types of Constituted Authority and Ways to Show Respect
Duration: 40 minutes
Behavioral Objectives:
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
- Explain the meaning of constituted authority.
- Give examples of constituted authority in different spheres of life.
- Mention at least five ways of showing respect to constituted authority.
Keywords:
- Constituted Authority
- Obedience
- Government Property
- Respect
- Rules and Regulations
Set Induction:
To engage the pupils, the teacher can start by asking the students about rules they follow in school, home, and society. Questions like, “Who makes the rules in your school?” or “What rules do you follow in your community?” will help connect the topic to their everyday life and set the stage for discussing the concept of authority.
Entry Behavior:
Pupils should have prior knowledge of “Respect for Elders in Society” as taught in previous lessons. They should understand basic concepts of respect, obedience, and authority figures like parents and teachers.
Learning Resources and Materials:
- Wall charts depicting various authorities (e.g., school leaders, religious leaders, government leaders).
- Pictures of government properties (e.g., public buildings, roads, and vehicles).
- Online resources or videos explaining authority figures and the importance of respecting authority.
- Textbooks on Civic Education.
Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:
The concept of respecting elders ties directly to respecting authority. This lesson builds on what the pupils learned about respecting older individuals by expanding that respect to other leaders and authority figures in society, including those in governmental and organizational positions.
Embedded Core Skills:
- Communication Skills: Pupils will articulate their understanding and ideas about authority and respect.
- Critical Thinking: Pupils will analyze the importance of respecting authority in society and how it contributes to peace.
- Social Skills: The lesson encourages respect and obedience to authority figures in various contexts, fostering responsible citizenship.
Reference Books:
- Lagos State Scheme of Work for Basic Education
- Civic Education textbooks for Primary 3
Instructional Materials:
- Flashcards or digital images showing examples of authority figures (e.g., traditional leaders, religious leaders, government officials).
- Props like a model or poster of government properties to visually connect the lesson with real-world examples.
Content Requirements:
1. Definition and Meaning of Constituted Authority:
- Constituted authority refers to individuals or groups who gain authority through legal or formal means, typically according to the rules set out by the constitution or law.
- It is essential to respect constituted authority for the maintenance of order and peace in society.
2. Types of Constituted Authority:
- Traditional Authority: Leaders or elders in communities who hold authority based on tradition (e.g., village chiefs, monarchs).
- Religious Authority: Leaders of religious institutions who guide followers based on religious teachings (e.g., pastors, imams).
- Organizational Authority: Authority within organizations such as schools or clubs (e.g., teachers, principals, school prefects).
- Governmental Authority: Leaders and officials in the government who hold power according to the law (e.g., president, governors, local government officials).
3. How to Show Respect for Constituted Authority:
- Obey the rules and regulations set by the authority figures to ensure peace and order.
- Do not destroy government property (e.g., roads, schools, or public buildings) as it is a form of disrespect.
- Carry out your duties as expected by any authority figure or organization you belong to (e.g., attending school regularly, following the school’s rules).
- Respect leaders in both governmental and organizational settings by listening to their instructions and following their guidance.
- Pay your taxes as a sign of respect to the government, which is responsible for the welfare of society.
Presentation Steps:
Step 1: Revision of the Old Topic:
- The teacher revises the previous lesson on Respect for Elders in Society, ensuring pupils understand the connection between respecting elders and respecting authority.
Step 2: Introduction of the New Topic:
- The teacher introduces the new topic by asking the pupils about authority figures they know (e.g., school principal, teachers, government leaders) and how they show respect to them.
Step 3: Interactive Discussion:
- The teacher encourages pupils to discuss how they can show respect for leaders and authority figures in their daily lives. This includes not only family members but also teachers, community leaders, and government officials.
- The teacher will guide the discussion and clarify misconceptions, ensuring the pupils understand the importance of respecting constituted authority for a peaceful society.
Class Teacher and Pupils Activities:
- Teacher’s Role: The teacher explains the meaning of constituted authority and its different types. The teacher also leads the discussion and models how to show respect to authority figures.
- Pupils’ Role: The pupils participate in the discussion, answer questions, role-play showing respect, and provide examples of how they can show respect to authority figures in their community and at school.
Evaluation:
Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
- Constituted authority refers to individuals who gain power through ________.
- a) personal relationships
- b) laws and regulations
- c) popularity
- ________ is an example of religious constituted authority.
- a) The school principal
- b) The king
- c) The imam or pastor
- We show respect to constituted authority by ________ the rules.
- a) disobeying
- b) following
- c) ignoring
- It is important to ________ government property.
- a) destroy
- b) steal
- c) respect
- ________ is a form of showing respect for the government.
- a) Paying taxes
- b) Ignoring the laws
- c) Breaking the rules
Class Activity Discussion:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- What is constituted authority?
- Constituted authority refers to individuals or groups who hold power through legal means, such as the law or constitution.
- Why is it important to respect authority?
- Respecting authority helps maintain peace and order in society.
- Can we show respect to a leader we don’t like?
- Yes, respect for authority is necessary regardless of personal feelings for the leader.
- What are some examples of constituted authority?
- Examples include parents, teachers, government officials, and religious leaders.
- How can I show respect to my teachers?
- By following their instructions, listening attentively, and being obedient in class.
- Why should we not destroy government property?
- Destroying government property is a form of disrespect and damages the society we all live in.
- What should you do if a leader gives you an order?
- Obey the order respectfully and follow the instructions.
- Is it important to obey the laws of our country?
- Yes, obeying the laws of the country helps maintain peace and order.
- Can we show respect without agreeing with everything a leader says?
- Yes, respect is about recognizing authority and following rules, even if you disagree with some decisions.
- What is the role of respect in a community?
- Respect helps maintain peaceful relationships and cooperation within the community.
- What is the meaning of “obeying the rules”?
- It means following the instructions given by leaders or authority figures.
- How do we show respect to our government leaders?
- By obeying the laws, paying taxes, and following government instructions.
- Should we respect the police?
- Yes, the police are part of the government authority, and we should respect them.
- What happens if we don’t respect authority?
- Disrespecting authority can lead to chaos, confusion, and lack of order in society.
- What should we do if we witness someone disrespecting authority?
- We should encourage them to respect authority and follow the rules.
Evaluation Questions (Assessment):
- Define constituted authority.
- Name three examples of constituted authority.
- What does it mean to respect constituted authority?
- How can you show respect to a teacher?
- Why is obeying the rules important for maintaining order?
- What are the consequences of not respecting government property?
- How can paying taxes show respect to the government?
- What is an example of traditional constituted authority?
- How can you show respect to your religious leaders?
- What should you do when you see someone destroying government property?
Conclusion:
The teacher reviews the lesson by asking pupils to recall some of the ways to show respect to constituted authority. The teacher provides feedback and corrects any misconceptions. Pupils are encouraged to practice showing respect to authority figures in their daily lives.
Assignment:
- Pupils should read about Respect for Government Property and be prepared to discuss it in the next class.