Definition and Meaning of Government Civic Education Primary 5 Second Term Lesson Notes Week 2
SUBJECT:
Civic Education
CLASS:
BASIC 5 / GRADE 5 / PRIMARY 5
TERM:
SECOND TERM (2ND TERM)
WEEK:
WEEK 2
TOPIC:
Definition and meaning of government
Previous Lesson:
CHARACTERISTICS OF A BAD LEADER
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
- Define government
- Explain the meaning of government
- Identify the form of government practiced in Nigeria
Learning Activities
- Pupils as individuals define government
- Pupils as a class discuss the meaning of government
- Pupils in pairs identity the forms of government
Embedded Core Skills
- Communication and Collaboration
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Leadership and Personal Development skills
- Creativity and Imagination
- Citizenship
Learning Resources
- Posters
- Pictures
- Resource Person
- Newspaper
INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES:
- Identification,
- Explanation,
- Questions and answers,
- Demonstration,
- Story-telling,
- Videos from source
Content
Definition of Government
Government is the machinery that directs the affairs of the people.
The government is like a big machine that helps to run the country and make sure that everyone’s needs are taken care of. The government officials are like the parts of the machine that work together to make it all happen.
Just like a machine needs different parts to work together to get a job done, the government also needs different officials with different responsibilities to work together to make sure the country runs smoothly. Some officials might be in charge of making rules, while others might be in charge of enforcing the rules and making sure everyone follows them. And some might be in charge of helping people who are in need.
They make rules and laws to help keep people safe and make sure everything runs smoothly.
For example, the government makes rules about things like going to school, crossing the street safely, and how much money people have to pay for things like taxes. They also make decisions about things like building roads and schools, and helping people who are in need.
The types and forms of government practiced in Nigeria
Nigeria is a federal republic, which means that the country is governed by elected representatives who make decisions on behalf of the people. The country is divided into 36 states and one Federal Capital Territory, where the capital city of Abuja is located. Each state has its own government, and the federal government is responsible for making decisions that affect the whole country.
There are different types of government, and Nigeria has practiced several of them in the past. Currently, Nigeria has a presidential system of government, which means that the President is the head of state and government and has executive power. The President is elected for a four-year term and can be reelected for one more term.
- Monarchy: Nigeria was ruled by traditional monarchs before the arrival of European colonial powers.
- Colonial rule: Nigeria was a British colony from 1861 to 1960, and was governed as a British protectorate from 1901 to 1960.
- First Republic: Nigeria became an independent country in 1960 and was governed as a parliamentary republic from 1960 to 1966.
- Military rule: Nigeria was ruled by military leaders from 1966 to 1979 and again from 1983 to 1999.
- Second Republic: Nigeria was governed as a presidential republic from 1979 to 1983.
- Third Republic: Nigeria was governed as a presidential republic from 1999 to 2007.
- Fourth Republic: Nigeria is currently governed as a federal republic with a presidential system of government, which has been in place since 2007.
Evaluation
- What is the meaning of government? A. A big building where important people make rules and decisions for a whole city or country. B. A group of people who enforce laws and keep the peace. C. A machine that directs the affairs of the people. D. All of the above.
- What is the role of government officials? A. To make rules and laws to help keep people safe and make sure everything runs smoothly. B. To enforce laws and make sure everyone follows them. C. To help people who are in need. D. All of the above.
- What is Nigeria’s current form of government? A. Monarchy B. Parliamentary republic C. Presidential republic D. Federal republic
- Who is the head of state and government in Nigeria’s current form of government? A. The Prime Minister B. The President C. The King D. The General
- How many terms can the President be elected for in Nigeria’s current form of government? A. One term B. Two terms C. Three terms D. Four terms
- What was Nigeria’s form of government before independence? A. Monarchy B. Parliamentary republic C. Presidential republic D. Colonial rule
- What was Nigeria’s form of government during the military rule of 1966 to 1979? A. Monarchy B. Parliamentary republic C. Presidential republic D. Military rule
- What was Nigeria’s form of government during the First Republic of 1960 to 1966? A. Monarchy B. Parliamentary republic C. Presidential republic D. Military rule
- What was Nigeria’s form of government during the Second Republic of 1979 to 1983? A. Monarchy B. Parliamentary republic C. Presidential republic D. Military rule
- What was Nigeria’s form of government during the Third Republic of 1999 to 2007? A. Monarchy B. Parliamentary republic C. Presidential republic D. Military rule.
Lesson Presentation:
The lesson is presented step by step
Revision (5 minutes)
- Revise the previous lesson with the pupil which was CHARACTERISTICS OF A BAD LEADER
Introduction (10 minutes):
- Engage the students by asking them what they think the meaning of government is. Write their answers on the board and discuss.
- Provide a definition of the meaning of government and explain why it is important.
Body (30 minutes):
- Show the students slides or handouts with information about the different forms of government practiced in Nigeria.
- Discuss the different forms of government and what they mean (e.g. monarchy, parliamentary republic, presidential republic, military rule, etc.).
- Use examples and videos to help illustrate the different forms of government.
- Explain how Nigeria has practiced different forms of government in the past and what the current form of government is.
Conclusion (10 minutes):
- Summarize the main points of the lesson.
- Ask the students to explain what they have learned about the meaning of government and forms of government in Nigeria.
- Encourage the students to ask questions and discuss what they have learned.
Assessment:
- Give the students a quiz or written assignment to assess their understanding of the topic.
- Ask the students to create a visual representation of the different forms of government practiced in Nigeria and present it to the class.
Weekly Assessment /Test
- The meaning of government can be described as a __________ that directs the affairs of the people.
- The people who work in the government building and make rules and decisions for a city or country are called __________ officials.
- The government makes rules about things like going to school, crossing the street safely, and paying __________ for things like taxes.
- Nigeria is a __________ republic, which means that the country is governed by elected representatives who make decisions on behalf of the people.
- The President is the head of state and government in Nigeria’s current form of government and has __________ power.
- The President is elected for a __________ year term and can be reelected for one more term.
- Nigeria was ruled by traditional monarchs before the arrival of European colonial powers and this form of government is called __________.
- Nigeria was ruled by military leaders from 1966 to 1979 and again from 1983 to 1999 and this form of government is called __________ rule.
- Nigeria became an independent country in 1960 and was governed as a __________ republic from 1960 to 1966.
- Nigeria has had a mix of different forms of government in the past, including monarchy, colonial rule, parliamentary republic, presidential republic, and military rule. The country is currently governed as a federal republic with a __________ system of government.
Revision Civic Education Primary 5 Week 11 First Term Lesson Notes / Plans