Employment :Meaning, Unemployment and Causes of Unemployment Social Studies

Lesson Plan: Understanding Employment and Unemployment

Subject:

Social Studies

Class:

Basic 5 / Primary 5

Term:

Second Term

Week:

Age:

10–11 years

Topic:

Employment

Sub-Topic:

Understanding Employment, Unemployment, and Underemployment

Duration:

40 Minutes

Behavioural Objectives:

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Define employment, unemployment, and underemployment.
Identify the causes of unemployment and underemployment.
State the effects of unemployment on society.
Suggest possible solutions to unemployment.

Keywords:

Employment
Unemployment
Underemployment
Job
Labor

Set Induction:

The teacher begins the lesson by asking pupils about their parents’ jobs or work experiences. The discussion will center on the importance of jobs and how they help meet daily needs.

Entry Behaviour:

Pupils have learned about Resource Distribution in the previous lesson, which highlights how resources, including jobs, are distributed across society.

Learning Resources and Materials:

Wall charts showing different professions.
Flashcards with key terms.
Pictures of people working in different fields.
Whiteboard and marker.
Lagos State-approved Social Studies textbook.

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:

The teacher connects the topic to Resource Distribution, emphasizing how jobs are a resource and that everyone depends on work to earn money and survive.

Embedded Core Skills:

Communication skills through discussion.
Critical thinking to analyze causes and solutions.
Problem-solving skills to suggest solutions to unemployment.

Reference Materials:

Lagos State Scheme of Work.
Social Studies Textbook for Primary 5.

Instructional Materials:

Wall charts
Flashcards
Online resources

Content

1. Definition of Employment:

Employment is when someone who is qualified, willing, and able to work has a job to do. This person earns money for their efforts.
Example: A teacher working in a school or a farmer growing crops.

2. Definition of Unemployment:

Unemployment occurs when someone who is ready and qualified to work cannot find a job.
Example: A graduate who cannot find work in their field of study.

3. Definition of Underemployment:

Underemployment happens when someone is working, but not to their full potential or qualifications.
Example: A university graduate working as a motorbike rider.

4. Causes of Unemployment and Underemployment:

A faulty educational system focused on paper qualifications.
Lack of skill acquisition.
Overpopulation leading to a high number of job seekers.
Poor distribution of industries.
Rapid changes in technology.
Seasonal jobs becoming unavailable during certain times of the year.

5. Effects of Unemployment:

Increase in crime rates.
Poverty and low standard of living.
Low production in the economy.
Emotional stress and unhappiness.
Economic underdevelopment.

6. Solutions to Unemployment:

Encouraging skill acquisition and vocational training.
Promoting small businesses and entrepreneurship.
Government investment in job creation.
Supporting education reforms.
Providing incentives for industries to open in rural areas.

Examples of Jobs:

Teaching.
Farming.
Driving.
Nursing.
Tailoring.

Evaluation

Employment and Unemployment

Employment is when someone has a ______.
(a) car (b) job (c) pet (d) dream
Answer: (b) job
Unemployment is when someone wants a job but cannot ______ one.
(a) see (b) find (c) drive (d) sell
Answer: (b) find
______ happens when people work below their qualifications.
(a) Overemployment (b) Unemployment (c) Underemployment (d) Training
Answer: (c) Underemployment
One major cause of unemployment is ______.
(a) population growth (b) good roads (c) farming (d) school
Answer: (a) population growth
______ means creating jobs for people.
(a) Unemployment (b) Entrepreneurship (c) Cooking (d) Savings
Answer: (b) Entrepreneurship

Employment and Unemployment for Class Activity Discussion:

What is employment?
Employment is when someone has a job and earns money.
What does unemployment mean?
It means not having a job when one is ready to work.
What is underemployment?
It is when someone works below their potential.
Why do people become unemployed?
Because there are not enough jobs or they lack skills.
What is one way to reduce unemployment?
By learning new skills and starting small businesses.

Teacher’s Activities:

Revise the topic on Resource Distribution with the pupils.
Introduce the topic of employment and ask pupils to share their parents’ jobs.
Use flashcards to explain key terms.

Learners’ Activities:

Answer questions about their parents’ jobs.
Participate in group discussions about causes of unemployment.
Suggest solutions to unemployment during the class activity.

Assessment (10 Short Answer Questions):

What is employment?
Define unemployment.
State one example of underemployment.
List two causes of unemployment.
Mention two effects of unemployment.

Conclusion:

The teacher summarizes the lesson, corrects pupils’ mistakes, and provides feedback.

Assignment:

Prepare for the next lesson on Wages and Income by reading pages 45–50 of the textbook.

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