Factors Affecting Criminal Behaviour – Causes & Examples Security Education
Lesson Plan: Factors Affecting Criminal Behaviour
Subject: Security Education
Class: Basic 3 / Primary 3
Term: Second Term
Week: 5
Age: 8 – 9 years
Topic: Factors Affecting Criminal Behaviour
Sub-topic: Understanding Crime and Its Causes
Duration: 40 minutes
Behavioural Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
- Define crime and criminal behaviour.
- Identify and explain factors that contribute to criminal behaviour.
- Provide examples of crimes and the factors that may cause them.
- Discuss ways to prevent criminal behaviour in society.
Keywords
- Crime: An unlawful act punishable by law.
- Criminal behaviour: Actions that break the law.
- Poverty: Lack of money or basic needs.
- Influence: The ability to affect someone’s actions.
- Environment: The surroundings in which a person grows up.
Set Induction (5 minutes)
- The teacher asks the class, “What do you think crime means?”
- The teacher gives examples of common crimes, such as stealing and fighting, and asks pupils if they have seen or heard about them before.
- The teacher explains that some people commit crimes due to different factors, which will be discussed in the lesson.
Entry Behaviour
Pupils already know about good and bad behaviour from their daily experiences at home and school.
Learning Resources and Materials
- Charts showing different crimes.
- Flashcards with images of different criminal behaviours.
- Short stories or news reports about crime.
Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge
- Pupils have learned about good and bad behaviour in previous lessons.
- They have been taught the importance of obeying rules and laws.
Embedded Core Skills
- Critical Thinking: Pupils will analyze different factors affecting crime.
- Communication: Pupils will discuss their ideas about criminal behaviour.
- Collaboration: Pupils will work in groups to discuss solutions.
Learning Materials
- Lagos State Scheme of Work
- Textbooks on Security Education
- Real-world examples of crime
Instructional Materials
- Storybooks with crime-related themes
- Pictures and videos about crimes and their causes
- Charts listing different factors affecting crime
Content
What is Crime?
- Crime is an action that goes against the law and is punishable by the government.
- It includes acts like stealing, fighting, lying, and hurting others.
- Crimes are divided into serious crimes (felonies) like robbery and less serious crimes (misdemeanours) like disorderly conduct.
- Some crimes involve violence (e.g., fighting), while others do not (e.g., fraud).
- Crime affects people, families, and communities in different ways.
What is Criminal Behaviour?
Criminal behaviour means acting in a way that breaks the law. Examples include:
- Stealing – Taking something that does not belong to you.
- Lying – Giving false information to deceive others.
- Fighting – Using physical violence against others.
- Forgery – Making fake documents or signatures.
- Selling fake goods – Selling harmful or fake food and medicine.
Factors Affecting Criminal Behaviour
- Poverty – Lack of money or resources may lead people to commit crimes like theft.
- Poor Housing – Living in poor conditions can expose people to crime.
- Low Education – People who do not go to school may not know right from wrong.
- Bad Peer Influence – Friends who engage in crime can influence others to do the same.
- Drugs and Alcohol – Taking harmful substances can make people act badly.
- Lack of Parental Guidance – Children who are not properly guided by parents may commit crimes.
- Psychological Problems – Mental illness can lead to criminal behaviour.
- Media Influence – Watching violent movies or playing violent games can encourage crime.
- Unemployment – People without jobs may steal to survive.
- Corrupt Society – When crime is not punished, more people engage in it.
Evaluation (Fill in the Blanks)
- Crime is any act that goes against the _______. (a) law (b) school (c) game (d) class
- A person who steals is called a _______. (a) doctor (b) farmer (c) thief (d) teacher
- Lack of money or food is called _______. (a) education (b) poverty (c) wealth (d) employment
- _______ can influence children to do wrong things. (a) Good friends (b) Bad friends (c) Teachers (d) Parents
- People who do not go to school may not know _______. (a) English (b) right from wrong (c) the alphabet (d) how to count
- Watching violent movies can encourage _______ behaviour. (a) criminal (b) peaceful (c) kind (d) friendly
- A person without a job is called _______. (a) employed (b) unemployed (c) teacher (d) nurse
- A person who lies is telling a _______. (a) joke (b) truth (c) lie (d) poem
- Mental illness is an example of a _______ factor affecting crime. (a) psychological (b) environmental (c) cultural (d) social
- Selling harmful food is a _______ behaviour. (a) good (b) criminal (c) friendly (d) smart
Class Activity Discussion (FAQs with Answers)
- What is crime? – Crime is any action that breaks the law.
- Is stealing a crime? – Yes, stealing is a crime.
- What causes crime? – Crime is caused by factors like poverty and bad influence.
- Can lack of education cause crime? – Yes, people without education may not know right from wrong.
- How can bad friends influence crime? – Bad friends can teach others to commit crimes.
- Does watching violent movies encourage crime? – Yes, it can make people think crime is okay.
- Can lack of jobs lead to crime? – Yes, some people steal when they do not have jobs.
- Is fighting a crime? – Yes, fighting is a crime.
- What is peer pressure? – When friends force someone to do bad things.
- What is an example of cybercrime? – Hacking and identity theft.
Presentation Steps
- The teacher revises the previous topic on “Good and Bad Behaviour.”
- The teacher introduces the new topic and explains crime and criminal behaviour.
- Pupils give examples of crimes they know.
- The teacher explains the factors affecting crime.
- Pupils work in groups to discuss how crime affects society.
Teacher’s and Learners’ Activities
Teacher’s Activities:
- Explains crime and criminal behaviour.
- Shows pictures of criminal activities.
- Leads discussions on causes of crime.
Learners’ Activities:
- Listen and answer questions.
- Give examples of crimes.
- Participate in group discussions.
Evaluation Questions (Short Answers)
- What is crime?
- Give three examples of criminal behaviour.
- Name two factors that can lead to crime.
- What is peer pressure?
- How can education help prevent crime?
Conclusion
The teacher summarizes the lesson and marks students’ work, giving feedback on their understanding.