Understanding Labour Force and Its Importance for Primary 6

Lesson Plan: Labour Force

Subject: Social Studies

Class: Primary 6

Term: 2nd Term

Week: 3

Age: 10–11 years

Topic: Labour Force

Sub-topics:

1. Meaning of labour force
2. Training the population to be healthy and productive
3. Implication of poor health on the labour force

Duration: 40 minutes

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Behavioral Objectives

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

1. Define labour force and explain its meaning.
2. State ways to train the population to be healthy and productive.
3. Discuss the implications of poor health on the labour force.
4. Suggest solutions to improve the health of the labour force.

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Keywords

• Labour Force: People who are available and able to work.
• Productive: Being able to work efficiently and produce results.
• Health: The physical and mental condition of a person.
• Training: Teaching skills or habits for a particular purpose.
• Implication: The result or effect of an action.

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Set Induction

Begin the lesson by asking pupils:

• “What do your parents or guardians do for a living?”
• “Have you heard the word ‘labour’ before? What do you think it means?”
  Explain that today, they will learn about the people who work, why being healthy is important, and what happens if workers are unhealthy.

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Entry Behavior

Pupils are familiar with the concept of work and jobs from observing their parents, guardians, or community members.

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Learning Resources and Materials

• Flashcards showing workers in different professions.
• Posters of healthy and unhealthy lifestyles.
• Charts showing the benefits of training workers.

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Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge

Ask pupils about the jobs they know or see in their community. For example, farmers, teachers, traders, and doctors. Discuss how these jobs contribute to the economy and introduce the term “labour force.”

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Embedded Core Skills

• Communication
• Critical thinking
• Problem-solving
• Collaboration

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Reference Books

• Lagos State Scheme of Work
• Social Studies textbook for Primary 6

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Instructional Materials

• Posters showing various professions and their tools.
• Flashcards with key terms like labour force, productivity, and health.

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Content

1. Meaning of Labour Force

• Labour force refers to the total number of people who are able and willing to work in a country.
• It includes people working in different sectors such as farming, teaching, trading, and factory work.
• The labour force is important for the growth of the economy because they produce goods and provide services.

Examples of Labour Force in Nigeria:

• Farmers in rural areas growing crops and rearing animals.
• Traders in markets selling goods.
• Teachers educating pupils in schools.
• Doctors and nurses providing healthcare.
• Workers in factories producing items like clothes and shoes.

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2. Training the Population to be Healthy and Productive

To ensure the labour force is productive, it is important to train and maintain their health.

Ways to Train and Maintain a Healthy Population:

1. Provide access to quality education and vocational training.
2. Ensure regular health check-ups for workers.
3. Encourage balanced diets and proper nutrition.
4. Promote exercise and physical fitness.
5. Educate people on the importance of hygiene and sanitation.

Benefits of Training the Labour Force:

• Increased productivity in workplaces.
• Better quality of goods and services.
• Growth in the nation’s economy.
• Improved standard of living for workers.

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3. Implications of Poor Health on the Labour Force

When workers are unhealthy, it affects their ability to work efficiently.

Dangers of Poor Health on the Labour Force:

• Low Productivity: Sick workers cannot work properly, which reduces output.
• Increased Absenteeism: Workers are often absent due to illness.
• Higher Healthcare Costs: Employers and governments spend more on treating sick workers.
• Economic Decline: A sick labour force leads to less production and reduced national income.
• Poverty: Unhealthy workers may lose their jobs, leading to poverty.

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Solutions to Improve the Health of the Labour Force

1. Provide affordable healthcare services for all workers.
2. Create awareness about healthy lifestyles.
3. Enforce laws that protect workers’ rights and safety.
4. Offer workplace health programs, such as fitness classes.
5. Encourage regular breaks and rest periods at work.

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Evaluation Requirements

15 Fill-in-the-Blank Questions with Options

1. __________ refers to people who are able and willing to work.
   a) Labour force
   b) Population
   c) Teachers
   d) Farmers
   Answer: a) Labour force
2. The labour force contributes to the growth of a country’s __________.
   a) Economy
   b) Population
   c) Politics
   d) Forests
   Answer: a) Economy
3. A healthy labour force leads to __________ productivity.
   a) Higher
   b) Lower
   c) Slower
   d) Weak
   Answer: a) Higher
4. Poor health leads to __________ absenteeism among workers.
   a) Increased
   b) Reduced
   c) Zero
   d) Constant
   Answer: a) Increased
5. Training the population improves __________ in workplaces.
   a) Productivity
   b) Laziness
   c) Confusion
   d) Competition
   Answer: a) Productivity
6. Farmers, teachers, and doctors are examples of __________.
   a) Labour force
   b) Politicians
   c) Tourists
   d) Students
   Answer: a) Labour force
7. Poor health increases __________ costs for employers.
   a) Healthcare
   b) Transport
   c) Entertainment
   d) Housing
   Answer: a) Healthcare
8. Hygiene and sanitation are important for __________.
   a) Good health
   b) Absenteeism
   c) Job loss
   d) Poverty
   Answer: a) Good health
9. One way to improve the health of the labour force is by providing __________ healthcare.
   a) Affordable
   b) Expensive
   c) Limited
   d) Delayed
   Answer: a) Affordable
10. A healthy and trained labour force leads to a better __________ of living.
    a) Standard
    b) Decline
    c) Level
    d) Style
    Answer: a) Standard

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Class Activity Discussion

1. What is the labour force?
2. Why is the labour force important to the economy?
3. What are two ways to train a population to be healthy?
4. List three dangers of poor health on the labour force.
5. Suggest one way to improve the health of workers.

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Teacher’s and Learners’ Activities

Teacher’s Activities:

• Explain the meaning of labour force using charts.
• Discuss examples of jobs in the labour force.
• Guide pupils to identify dangers of poor health and suggest solutions.

Learners’ Activities:

• List examples of people in the labour force.
• Discuss the importance of training workers.
• Share ideas on how to stay healthy and productive.

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Assessment Questions

1. Define labour force.
2. List two examples of the labour force in Nigeria.
3. Why is training important for workers?
4. State two dangers of poor health on workers.
5. Mention one benefit of maintaining a healthy workforce.
6. What is one way to improve productivity in workplaces?
7. Why should workers eat a balanced diet?
8. Give one example of a job that contributes to the economy.
9. How does poor health affect national income?
10. What does regular exercise do for workers?

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Conclusion

The teacher will summarize the lesson by revisiting the meaning, importance, and implications of a healthy labour force. Feedback will be provided through questioning, group discussions, and marking pupil exercises.

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