Revising Elements of Prose Using the Recommended Text Literature English Grammar JSS 3 First Term Lesson Notes Week 2

Subject: Literature in English
Class: JSS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 2
Age: 12-14 years
Topic: Revising Elements of Prose
Sub-topic: Key Elements of Prose Using Recommended Text
Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioural Objectives

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

1. Define the key elements of prose.
2. Identify the elements of prose in the recommended text.
3. Explain the significance of these elements in the development of the story.
4. Analyze the characters, setting, and plot structure in the recommended text.

Keywords

Prose, elements, plot, character, setting, theme, point of view, conflict

Set Induction

The teacher begins the lesson by asking students to recall a story they have recently read. The teacher prompts them to mention some important parts of the story, such as the characters, the setting, and what happened in the story.

Entry Behaviour

Students are familiar with reading stories and may have been introduced to basic elements like characters and plot in earlier classes.

Learning Resources and Materials

• Recommended text (specified by the teacher or school)
• Flashcards showing key elements of prose (plot, character, setting, theme, point of view, conflict)

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge

Students have read the recommended text as part of their classwork. This lesson will focus on revising the elements of prose they have previously learned and applying them to the text.

Embedded Core Skills

• Critical thinking
• Analytical skills
• Comprehension

Reference Books

• Lagos State Scheme of Work
• The recommended text for JSS 3 (e.g., “The Joys of Motherhood” or any approved text for the term)

Instructional Materials

• Whiteboard and markers
• Flashcards with key prose elements
• Excerpts from the recommended text

Content

Elements of Prose

Prose is any written or spoken language that is structured in sentences and paragraphs. It is often used in novels, short stories, and essays.

Key Elements of Prose

1. Plot: This is the sequence of events in the story. The plot is divided into:
   • Exposition: The beginning of the story where characters and the setting are introduced.
   • Rising Action: The events that lead to the climax of the story.
   • Climax: The most intense part of the story, where the main problem reaches its peak.
   • Falling Action: The events that occur after the climax as the story moves toward resolution.
   • Resolution: The conclusion where all conflicts are resolved.
2. Character: The people, animals, or beings in a story. They are divided into:
   • Protagonist: The main character or hero of the story.
   • Antagonist: The character or force in opposition to the protagonist.
   • Dynamic Characters: Characters that undergo significant changes.
   • Static Characters: Characters that remain unchanged throughout the story.
3. Setting: The time and place in which the story takes place. This includes the environment, historical period, and location.
4. Theme: The central idea or message that the story conveys. Themes can be related to love, friendship, struggle, justice, etc.
5. Point of View: This is the perspective from which the story is told.
   • First-person: The narrator is a character in the story (“I” perspective).
   • Third-person: The narrator is not a character in the story and uses “he,” “she,” or “they.”
6. Conflict: The main problem in the story. Conflicts can be internal (within a character) or external (between characters or between a character and an external force).

Analysis of the Recommended Text

• Plot: (Give a brief summary of the recommended text’s plot structure.)
• Characters: Identify the protagonist, antagonist, and supporting characters.
• Setting: Describe where and when the story takes place.
• Theme: Discuss the main message or lesson of the story.
• Point of View: Identify whether the story is told in the first-person or third-person perspective.
• Conflict: Discuss the main conflicts the characters face in the story.

15 Fill-in-the-blank Questions with Options

1. The main events in a story are called the ___.
   a) setting
   b) plot
   c) conflict
   d) theme
2. A character who opposes the protagonist is called the ___.
   a) antagonist
   b) hero
   c) villain
   d) static
3. The time and place of a story are known as the ___.
   a) setting
   b) theme
   c) character
   d) plot
4. The lesson or central idea of a story is called the ___.
   a) plot
   b) conflict
   c) theme
   d) exposition
5. The part of the story where conflicts are resolved is the ___.
   a) climax
   b) exposition
   c) resolution
   d) rising action
6. The perspective from which a story is told is called ___.
   a) character
   b) setting
   c) point of view
   d) plot
7. The most intense moment in a story is called the ___.
   a) rising action
   b) climax
   c) resolution
   d) setting
8. A character who remains the same throughout the story is a ___.
   a) protagonist
   b) antagonist
   c) dynamic character
   d) static character
9. The introduction of the story where characters and setting are introduced is called the ___.
   a) resolution
   b) rising action
   c) exposition
   d) climax
10. The conflict between two characters is called an ___ conflict.
    a) internal
    b) external
    c) personal
    d) peaceful
11. A story told using “I” is written in the ___ point of view.
    a) first-person
    b) third-person
    c) omniscient
    d) protagonist
12. Characters that change throughout the story are called ___.
    a) static characters
    b) dynamic characters
    c) antagonists
    d) heroes
13. The ___ is the character or force that creates obstacles for the protagonist.
    a) protagonist
    b) antagonist
    c) setting
    d) plot
14. The falling action of a story occurs after the ___.
    a) resolution
    b) exposition
    c) climax
    d) conflict
15. The conflict between a character and their own emotions is called ___.
    a) external conflict
    b) internal conflict
    c) resolution
    d) theme

15 FAQs with Answers for Better Understanding

1. What is prose?
   • Prose is any written or spoken language that is not poetry. It includes novels, short stories, and essays.
2. What are the key elements of prose?
   • Plot, character, setting, theme, point of view, and conflict.
3. How is a plot structured?
   • A plot typically has five parts: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
4. What is the role of the protagonist in a story?
   • The protagonist is the main character who drives the story forward.
5. What is the difference between a static and dynamic character?
   • A static character does not change, while a dynamic character undergoes significant change.
6. Why is setting important in a story?
   • Setting provides the time and place of the story, influencing the events and characters.
7. What is a theme?
   • A theme is the central message or idea that the story conveys.
8. What is the climax of a story?
   • The climax is the most intense or exciting part of the story.
9. What does the resolution do in a story?
   • The resolution ties up all loose ends and resolves the conflicts.
10. What is the antagonist’s role?
    • The antagonist opposes the protagonist and creates conflict in the story.
11. How can I identify the point of view in a story?
    • Look at the pronouns used: “I” for first-person, “he/she” for third-person.
12. What is the rising action?
    • The rising action includes events that build up to the climax.
13. How can conflicts be categorized?
    • Conflicts can be internal (within a character) or external (between characters or forces).
14. What is the importance of the falling action?
    • The falling action shows how characters deal with the consequences of the climax.
15. Can a story have more than one theme?
    • Yes, stories often explore multiple themes.

Presentation (Steps 1-3)

1. Step 1: The teacher revises the basic elements of prose with the students using the recommended text.
2. Step 2: The teacher guides students through identifying these elements in the recommended text.
3. Step 3: The teacher engages the students in group discussions, analyzing the characters, plot, and themes in the text.

Teacher’s Activities

• Guide students in identifying the elements of prose in the text.
• Ask questions to prompt critical thinking about the themes and conflicts in the story.

Learners’ Activities

• Participate in discussions about the elements of prose in the recommended text.
• Work in groups to analyze the characters, setting, and plot.

Assessment

The teacher assesses students through group presentations and individual analysis of prose elements in the recommended text.

Ten Evaluation Questions

1. What is the definition of prose?
2. Mention three elements of prose.
3. What is the role of the protagonist in a story?
4. What is the importance of the setting?
5. Name two types of conflict found in stories.
6. What is the difference between first-person and third-person points of view?
7. What part of the plot is the climax?
8. Who is the antagonist in the recommended text?
9. Describe the theme of the recommended text.
10. How does the resolution affect the ending of the story?

Conclusion

The teacher goes around to mark the students’ work and gives feedback on their analysis of the elements of prose in the recommended text.