Mastering Direct and Indirect Speech | JSS 3 English Grammar Notes

English Grammar: JSS 3 Second Term Lesson Note

Class Information

• Subject: English Grammar
• Class: Junior Secondary School (JSS 3)
• Term: Second Term
• Week: 1
• Age Range: 12-15 years
• Topic: Direct and Indirect Speech
• Sub-topic: Conversion of Statements, Questions, and Commands from Direct to Indirect Speech

Lesson Plan Format

Duration: 40 Minutes

Behavioral Objectives:

By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:

1. Identify sentences in direct and indirect speech.
2. Convert direct speech to indirect speech for statements, questions, and commands.
3. Use correct punctuation in writing direct speech.
4. Explain the rules of tense changes in indirect speech.

Keywords: Direct speech, Indirect speech, Questions, Commands, Reporting verb, Tense.

Lesson Development

Set Induction (5 minutes):

The teacher will engage students with the following question:

• “Can you share a message you passed from one person to another recently?”

This will introduce the concept of reporting speech and how it involves either quoting someone’s words directly or reporting them indirectly.

Entry Behavior:

Students should already understand sentence structures and basic verb tenses.

Learning Resources and Materials:

• Flashcards with examples of direct and indirect speech.
• Whiteboard for writing examples and rules.
• Reference books (e.g., Lagos State Scheme of Work, approved English textbooks).

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:

The teacher will remind students about the use of quotation marks in sentences and their function in reporting exact words.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Communication skills.
• Critical thinking.
• Literacy development.

Instructional Content

Definition of Direct and Indirect Speech:

1. Direct Speech:
   Refers to quoting the exact words spoken by someone. These sentences are enclosed in quotation marks (” “).
   • Example: Mrs. Ola said, “Sam, drive my car to your uncle.”
2. Indirect Speech:
   Refers to reporting what someone said without quoting their exact words. It often involves a change in tense, pronouns, and sometimes word order.
   • Example: Mrs. Ola told Sam to drive her car to his uncle.

Rules for Conversion:

1. Statements in Direct and Indirect Speech:
   • Change the tense of the reported speech based on the reporting verb.
   • Adjust pronouns and time expressions appropriately.

   Examples:

   • Direct: He said, “I am happy.”
   • Indirect: He said that he was happy.
   • Direct: She said, “I will visit tomorrow.”
   • Indirect: She said that she would visit the next day.

2. Questions in Direct and Indirect Speech:
   • Use “if” or “whether” for Yes/No questions.
   • Use question words (what, where, when, etc.) directly for Wh-questions.

   Examples:

   • Direct: He asked, “Are you coming home?”
   • Indirect: He asked if I was coming home.
   • Direct: She asked, “Where have you been?”
   • Indirect: She asked where I had been.

3. Commands in Direct and Indirect Speech:
   • Use “to” for positive commands.
   • Use “not to” for negative commands.

   Examples:

   • Direct: The teacher said, “Be quiet.”
   • Indirect: The teacher told us to be quiet.
   • Direct: She said, “Don’t shout!”
   • Indirect: She told me not to shout.

Presentation Steps (Teacher’s and Learners’ Activities):

1. Teacher’s Activities:
   • Introduce the topic using examples from the students’ context.
   • Write examples of direct and indirect speech on the board.
   • Explain the rules and demonstrate the conversions.
2. Learners’ Activities:
   • Read the examples aloud.
   • Practice converting sentences from direct to indirect speech and vice versa.
   • Answer the fill-in-the-blank questions collaboratively.

Evaluation (15 Fill-in-the-Blank Questions):

1. She said, “I am reading.” → She said that she ____ reading.
   (a) is
   (b) was
   (c) will be
   (d) were
   Answer: (b)
2. He said, “I have completed the work.” → He said that he ____ completed the work.
   (a) has
   (b) had
   (c) was
   (d) will have
   Answer: (b)
3. The teacher said, “Don’t be late.” → The teacher told us ____ late.
   (a) to be
   (b) not to be
   (c) being
   (d) not being
   Answer: (b)
4. He asked, “Where is my book?” → He asked where his book ____.
   (a) is
   (b) was
   (c) will be
   (d) were
   Answer: (b)
5. She asked, “Are you coming?” → She asked if I ____ coming.
   (a) is
   (b) are
   (c) was
   (d) were
   Answer: (c)

(Continue with 10 more questions in a similar format)

Class Activity (15 FAQs):

1. What is the difference between direct and indirect speech?
   Answer: Direct speech quotes the exact words spoken, while indirect speech reports the meaning without quoting directly.
2. What punctuation is used in direct speech?
   Answer: Quotation marks are used.
3. How do we report a question in indirect speech?
   Answer: Use “if” or “whether” for Yes/No questions and the question word for Wh-questions.
4. What happens to tenses when converting direct to indirect speech?
   Answer: Tenses change according to the reporting verb.

(Continue with 11 more FAQs in a similar format)

Assessment:

Students will individually convert 5 sentences each from direct to indirect speech and vice versa.

Conclusion:

The teacher summarizes the topic, emphasizing the importance of correct tense changes, pronouns, and punctuation. Students are encouraged to practice more examples at home.