Exploring Nigerian Festivals Comprehension English Grammar Primary 5 First Term Lesson Notes Week 3

Basic 5 English Language First Term Lesson Notes Week 3

Subject: English Language
Class: Basic 5
Term: First Term
Week: 3
Age: 10 years
Duration: 40 minutes per session

Topic: Reading Comprehension

Sub-topic: Informational Text on Nigerian Festivals

Behavioural Objectives:

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

1. Read and understand an informational text about Nigerian festivals.
2. Identify different festivals celebrated in Nigeria.
3. Answer comprehension questions based on the passage.

Keywords: Festivals, Nigeria, Culture, Celebration, Tradition

Set Induction:

Begin by asking pupils to name any festivals they have attended or heard of in Nigeria. Discuss how festivals are an important part of Nigerian culture.

Entry Behaviour:

Pupils have some knowledge of cultural festivals celebrated in Nigeria and basic reading comprehension skills.

Learning Resources and Materials:

• Pictures of various Nigerian festivals (e.g., Durbar, Eyo Festival, New Yam Festival)
• Printed informational text on Nigerian festivals

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:

Discuss how festivals are a time for communities to come together to celebrate their culture, traditions, and heritage.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Listening
• Reading
• Speaking
• Writing

Instructional Materials:

• Charts showing images of different Nigerian festivals
• Printed informational text

Content

Reading Comprehension:

Passage Title: Festivals in Nigeria

Passage:

“Nigeria is a country rich in cultural diversity, and this diversity is reflected in the numerous festivals celebrated across the country. Each ethnic group has its unique festivals that showcase their traditions, beliefs, and way of life.

One of the most popular festivals in Nigeria is the Durbar Festival, celebrated mainly in the northern part of the country. The Durbar is a royal parade of horsemen that showcases the strength and unity of the people. It usually takes place during important Islamic holidays like Eid-el-Kabir and Eid-el-Fitr.

In the western part of Nigeria, the Eyo Festival is a major cultural event in Lagos State. The festival is often held to honor important personalities and is marked by a grand procession of people dressed in white flowing robes and hats known as ‘Agbada’ and ‘Eyo hats.’ The streets of Lagos come alive with music, dance, and the colorful display of the Eyo masquerades.

The New Yam Festival, celebrated mainly by the Igbo people in the eastern part of Nigeria, is another significant festival. This festival marks the beginning of the yam harvest season, and it is a time of thanksgiving to the gods for a bountiful harvest. The festival involves the offering of the first yam to the gods, followed by feasting, dancing, and other traditional activities.

Each festival in Nigeria has its own unique features, but they all share the common goal of bringing people together to celebrate their culture and heritage. These festivals are not only a time for celebration but also an opportunity to preserve and pass on traditions from one generation to the next.”

Presentation:

Step 1: The teacher revises the previous topic, which was on “Narrative Passage about Daily Activities.” The teacher asks the pupils to recall the key points from the passage discussed in Week 2.

Step 2: The teacher introduces the new topic: “Today, we will read an informational text about Nigerian festivals. We will learn about different festivals and what makes them special.”

Step 3: The teacher reads the passage aloud while the pupils follow along in their printed copies. After reading, the teacher encourages pupils to share any festivals they have attended and discuss what they learned from the passage.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Revises the previous topic.
• Introduces the new topic and explains it.
• Reads the informational text to the pupils.
• Engages pupils in a discussion about the festivals mentioned in the text.

Learners’ Activities:

• Listen to the revision of the previous topic.
• Follow along as the teacher reads the passage.
• Share their experiences of attending festivals and discuss what they have learned from the text.

Assessment:

The teacher asks the pupils to answer the following questions to assess their understanding of the passage:

Evaluation Questions:

1. What is the main theme of the passage?
2. Which festival is celebrated mainly in the northern part of Nigeria?
3. What event does the Durbar Festival usually coincide with?
4. Where is the Eyo Festival celebrated?
5. What is the main purpose of the Eyo Festival?
6. What does the New Yam Festival signify for the Igbo people?
7. What activities are involved in the New Yam Festival?
8. What common goal do all Nigerian festivals share?
9. Why are these festivals important for Nigerian culture?
10. How do these festivals help in preserving Nigerian traditions?

Class Activity Discussion:

1. Why are festivals important in Nigeria?
   Festivals help to preserve culture, bring people together, and celebrate traditions.
2. What is unique about the Durbar Festival?
   It is a royal parade of horsemen that showcases the strength and unity of the people.
3. Why is the Eyo Festival celebrated in Lagos?
   It is often held to honor important personalities and is marked by a grand procession.
4. What is the significance of the New Yam Festival?
   It marks the beginning of the yam harvest season and is a time for thanksgiving.
5. How do festivals bring communities together?
   Festivals allow people to come together to celebrate, share, and pass on traditions.
6. What activities are common in Nigerian festivals?
   Common activities include parades, music, dancing, feasting, and traditional ceremonies.
7. Why is it important to preserve cultural festivals?
   Preserving cultural festivals ensures that traditions and heritage are passed on to future generations.
8. How do festivals contribute to the cultural diversity of Nigeria?
   Festivals reflect the rich cultural diversity by showcasing different traditions and beliefs.
9. What do people do during the Durbar Festival?
   People participate in a royal parade of horsemen and celebrate important Islamic holidays.
10. How does the New Yam Festival show respect for the gods?
    The first yam of the harvest is offered to the gods as a sign of thanksgiving.

Conclusion:

The teacher goes around to mark the pupils’ work and provides feedback. The teacher emphasizes the importance of understanding and appreciating the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria through festivals.

This lesson plan is crafted to enhance pupils’ understanding of Nigerian festivals while keeping them engaged and interested in the content. Let me know if you need any more details or adjustments!