Contentment and its attributes Civic Education JSS 2 First Term Lesson Notes Week 3

Lesson Plan: The Meaning and Attributes of Contentment

Subject: Civic Education

Class: JSS 2

Term: First Term

Week: 3

Age: 12–13 years

Topic: Contentment

Sub-topics:

1. The Meaning of Contentment
2. The Attributes of Contentment

Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioural Objectives:

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

1. Explain the meaning of contentment.
2. Identify and describe the key attributes of contentment.
3. Discuss the importance of contentment in daily life.
4. Reflect on how to practice contentment in their own lives.

Keywords:

• Contentment: Being satisfied with what one has.
• Satisfaction: A feeling of happiness with what one possesses.
• Gratitude: Thankfulness for what one has.
• Self-control: The ability to control desires.
• Moderation: Not overindulging in anything.

Set Induction:

The teacher asks, “Have you ever wanted something so badly that you felt unhappy because you didn’t have it?” This leads into a discussion on the importance of being content with what one already has.

Entry Behaviour:

Students have basic knowledge of self-control and the value of appreciating what they have, as discussed in previous lessons.

Learning Resources and Materials:

• Textbooks on Civic Education
• Flashcards with key terms (Contentment, Gratitude, Self-control)
• Picture of a happy child who has few belongings but is content

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:

Students are familiar with concepts like self-control and gratitude from previous lessons. This lesson will build on that by teaching them about contentment.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Critical thinking
• Emotional intelligence
• Self-regulation
• Ethical reasoning

Learning Materials:

• Lagos State Scheme of Work for Civic Education
• Flashcards with definitions of contentment-related terms

Reference Books:

• Lagos State Scheme of Work for Civic Education, JSS 2
• Civic Education textbook for Junior Secondary Schools

Instructional Materials:

• Whiteboard and marker
• Flashcards with keywords and definitions
• Pictures demonstrating contentment and dissatisfaction

Content:

I. Meaning of Contentment:

1. Contentment means being happy and satisfied with what you have, instead of always wanting more.
2. A content person does not compare themselves with others or feel envious of what others have.
3. It is the feeling of being at peace with your situation, whether you have much or little.
4. Contentment helps individuals live happier lives, as they appreciate what they already have.
5. It encourages gratitude and reduces the feeling of always needing to acquire more.

II. Attributes of Contentment:

1. Gratitude: Being thankful for what you have.
2. Self-control: The ability to manage your desires and not always want more.
3. Moderation: Not overindulging in anything, such as food, money, or material things.
4. Simplicity: Enjoying life’s simple pleasures and not chasing after unnecessary luxuries.
5. Patience: Understanding that you don’t need everything immediately, and being willing to wait for things to come in due time.

Evaluation:

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions (with options a, b, c, or d):

1. __________ is being satisfied with what you have.
   a) Greed
   b) Contentment
   c) Jealousy
   d) Anger
2. A person who practices __________ does not always desire more.
   a) dissatisfaction
   b) contentment
   c) envy
   d) impatience
3. __________ is an attribute of contentment.
   a) Gratitude
   b) Greed
   c) Jealousy
   d) Anger
4. People who are content do not __________ others for their possessions.
   a) appreciate
   b) envy
   c) thank
   d) admire
5. Contentment promotes __________ in society.
   a) greed
   b) dissatisfaction
   c) peace
   d) competition
6. __________ is an important part of contentment.
   a) Self-control
   b) Anger
   c) Jealousy
   d) Greed
7. People who are __________ are usually happier.
   a) greedy
   b) dissatisfied
   c) content
   d) jealous
8. A content person has __________ towards others.
   a) anger
   b) gratitude
   c) envy
   d) impatience
9. Contentment encourages people to live in __________.
   a) greed
   b) simplicity
   c) luxury
   d) chaos
10. People who practice __________ do not always compare themselves to others.
    a) discontent
    b) contentment
    c) dissatisfaction
    d) competition

Class Activity Discussion:

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions):

1. What is contentment?
   Contentment is being satisfied with what you have.
2. Why is it important to be content?
   Being content helps you live a happy and peaceful life.
3. How can you show contentment in school?
   By not being jealous of others’ belongings and being thankful for what you have.
4. What is one attribute of contentment?
   Gratitude is one attribute of contentment.
5. How does self-control relate to contentment?
   Self-control helps you manage your desires and avoid constantly wanting more.
6. Why is gratitude important for contentment?
   Gratitude helps you appreciate what you have instead of focusing on what you lack.
7. What does moderation mean in contentment?
   Moderation means not overindulging in anything, such as food or material possessions.
8. How does contentment lead to happiness?
   Contentment makes you happy because you focus on what you have, not what you lack.
9. What is the difference between contentment and greed?
   Contentment is being satisfied, while greed is always wanting more.
10. Why should we avoid comparing ourselves with others?
    Comparing ourselves to others can lead to dissatisfaction and jealousy.

Presentation:

1. Step 1: Revising the Previous Topic
   The teacher briefly reviews the previous topic on “Integrity in Society,” where students learned about the importance of honesty, fairness, and trustworthiness.
2. Step 2: Introducing the New Topic
   The teacher introduces the new topic, “Contentment,” and explains that contentment is being happy with what you have and not constantly wanting more.
3. Step 3: Allowing Students to Contribute
   The teacher asks students to share times when they felt content or satisfied with what they had, even when others had more. The teacher listens and corrects any misconceptions.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Define contentment and explain its attributes.
• Provide examples of contentment in daily life.
• Lead the class discussion by asking students to share examples of contentment in their lives.
• Meaning of contentment

  Contentment is a state of being happy and satisfied with whatever one has. This   A contented person will not envy another person. He will be satisfied with what he has.

   

  Contentment simply means a state of being happy and satisfied with what one has. A contented person is not always above the law to possess riches but satisfied with the one he/she is able to get. Contentment is a mental or emotional state of satisfaction drawn from being at ease in one’s situation, body and mind. Colloquially speaking, contentment is a state of having accepted one’s situation and is a form of happiness. Contentment means being satisfied with one’s possessions, status or situation, though they might be insignificant.

   

  A contented person is a one who realizes that contentment starts from the inside with a satisfied mind and a cheerful heart. A contented person is one who is satisfied with who they are, what they are and are not looking or demanding for more. In moral sciences, the word ‘contentment’ is used to mean the opposite of greed or excessive and rapacious desire. The trait of contentment causes man to suffice to the amount he needs and to avoid craving for more. In fact, contentment is a feeling of calm and active happiness. Somebody who is content does not feel the need to put forth any effort into achieving something because he or she is satisfied with his portion.

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  Contentment is not about getting what you want but appreciative and satisfied with the one you have gotten.

   

  (ii)       Attributes of contentment

  1. SATISFACTION: A man of contentment will be satisfied with whatever he has or in any situation with what he has. Satisfaction is being contended for the act of deriving joy from what a person has. A competent person will be satisfied with whatever he/she has.
  2. LACK OF ENVY: A man full of contentment will never envy his brother but he is satisfied with what he has
  3. NOT GREEDY:  Such a man has no business with greed and corruption. Greed is the desire for more than what a person needs or can afford to have. A contended person will hate greed.
  4. HUMILITY: A contented person is a humble man who will not be proud. A contended person is usually humble, does not brag with whatever he/she has.
  5. DISCIPLINE: A man filled with the spirit of contentment will be disciplined in whatever he is doing
  6. SHUNS ENVY: Envy is the act of getting something by all means. e.g. Mr. Ade has a house in Ajah while Mr. B lives in a room and parlor at Mushin, the desire of Mr. B to have his own house at Ajah by all means which may even lead him to killing Mr. A or stealing money is envy. Therefore, a contented person shuns envy.

   

  (iii)      Effects of lack of contentment

  (i)         Any man that lacks the spirit of contentment will be greedy.  He will always be looking at others with envy.

  (ii)        The second effect is corruption.  Such a person will try to acquire things that belong to others by any means.

  (iii)       A man that lacks contentment will be greedy.  He will like to have everything that comes to his mind..

  (iv)       A man that lacks contentment will also involve in other social vices like prostitution so as to acquire more things from others.

  (v)        There is no way that a man that lacks contentment will not steal things belonging to others.

  (vi)       Any man that lacks this virtue will always cheat others and may even be involved in armed robbery.

  (viii)     Finally, any man that lacks contentment will form the habit of cheating others all the time.

   

   

  Importance of Contentment

   

  1. It helps to eliminate jealousy and envy in people
  2. It leads to a peaceful and developed society
  3. It promotes tolerance in the country
  4. It reduces the feelings of inferiority among the people
  5. It gives a person a peaceful heart
  6. Discontentment is actually the state of experiencing dissatisfaction, unhappiness, restlessness, greediness and disgruntlement.

   

   

  Effects of Lack of Contentment

   

  1. It leads to corruption
  2. It makes a man greedy
  3. It results in envy and jealousy
  4. It can lead to prostitution
  5. it leads to cheating
  6. It can also lead to theft
  7. Dissatisfaction and unhappiness can lead to depression

   

Learners’ Activities:

• Listen attentively to the teacher’s explanation.
• Participate in the class discussion by sharing personal experiences of contentment.
• Ask questions where necessary for better understanding.

Assessment

1. A state of being happy and satisfied with what one has is

(a) integrity

(b) selflessness

(c) honesty

(d) contentment.

2. One of these is not the attribute of contentment

(a) shun envy

(b) satisfaction

(c) bribery

(d) humility.

3. Contentment is important because

(a) it makes a person jealous

(b) it creates opportunities for stealing

(c) It gives a person a peaceful heart

(d) it is an opportunity to kill.

ans ( c)

4. Lack of contentment can lead to all except

(a) theft

(b) corruption

(c) love

(d) prostitution

5. Contentment is a good value everybody must possess true/false.

THEORY:

1. Mention four attributes of contentment.
2. State four effects of lack of contentment on society.

Evaluation Questions:

1. Define contentment in your own words.
2. Mention one attribute of contentment.
3. How can you practice contentment in your daily life?
4. Why is self-control important for contentment?
5. Give an example of how moderation relates to contentment.
6. What is the difference between contentment and greed?
7. How does gratitude help promote contentment?
8. Explain why contentment brings peace in society.
9. What is one thing you can do to show contentment at school?
10. Describe how contentment can lead to happiness.

Conclusion:

The teacher moves around the class to mark students’ work and provides feedback on their responses. The teacher emphasizes the importance of practicing contentment in their daily lives by being grateful for what they have.

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