Travelling by Air: A Descriptive Exploration

Composition Lesson Notes: Descriptive Essay

Subject: English Language
Class: JSS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 5
Age: Approximately 14-15 years

Topic: Descriptive Essay
Sub-topic: Travelling by Air (Oral Discussion)
Duration: 2 periods (80 minutes)

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

1. Define descriptive essays and their purpose.
2. Describe the process and experience of traveling by air.
3. Identify key vocabulary related to air travel.
4. Write a short descriptive essay based on the discussion.

Key Words:

• Descriptive Essay
• Air Travel
• Departure
• Landing
• Cabin Crew

Set Induction:
The teacher will ask students if they have ever traveled by air and encourage them to share their experiences. This will engage students and set the stage for the discussion.

Entry Behaviour:
Students should have some prior knowledge of different modes of transportation and basic essay writing.

Learning Materials:

• Whiteboard and markers
• Projector (if available)
• Handouts with vocabulary and examples

Instructional Materials:

• Descriptive essay examples
• Graphic organizers for essay planning

Building Background / Connection to Prior Knowledge:
Students will discuss various means of transportation they have learned about in previous lessons, leading to the unique aspects of air travel.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Critical thinking
• Creative writing
• Oral communication

Content

Description of a Descriptive Essay:
A descriptive essay aims at giving a vivid picture of a person, event, or situation, focusing on details that engage the senses.

Travelling by Air:
There are different means by which people move from one place to another, including on foot, by air, by sea, and on land. Among these, air travel is unique.

1. Procedures for Air Travel:
   • The traveler must know the destination.
   • Booking a ticket with a travel agency is necessary.
   • The time of departure and the plane to fly will be specified on the ticket.
   • Travelers must arrive at the airport on time and wait in the departure lounge before boarding the plane.
   • The plane runs on the runway before taking off.
2. Experience Inside the Plane:
   • New passengers may be thrilled by how the pilot manipulates the buttons in the cockpit.
   • The interactions between passengers and air hostesses or cabin crew are enjoyable.
3. Safety Instructions During Flight:
   • Passengers must fasten their seat belts to stay safe during the flight.
   • An announcement of landing is made by the captain, and all instructions must be followed for safety.
4. Air Transport Companies:
   • Some companies operating air transport include Virgin Nigeria, Slok Airline, Air Afrik, KLM, and British Airways.

Evaluation

1. Mention the major means of transportation.
   Answer: On foot, by air, by sea, and on land.
2. Mention four actions involved in air travel.
   Answer: Booking a ticket, boarding the plane, fastening seat belts, and landing.
3. Define the following words and use them in sentences:
   • Runway: The strip of land where planes take off and land.
     Sentence: The plane taxied down the runway before taking off.
   • Departure Lounge: The area where passengers wait before boarding.
     Sentence: We sat in the departure lounge, excited for our trip.
   • Cockpit: The area where the pilot controls the plane.
     Sentence: The cockpit is equipped with various instruments and controls.
   • Hostess: A female attendant who serves passengers on the flight.
     Sentence: The hostess greeted us with a warm smile as we boarded.
   • Cabin Crew: The team responsible for passenger safety and service during the flight.
     Sentence: The cabin crew demonstrated the safety procedures before takeoff.

Weekend Assignment

Complete the following sentences with the best option from the alternatives lettered A-E.

1. To save the plane in that kind of situation, the ______ should be able to take over effectively.
   a. Captain
   b. Co-pilot
   c. Pilot
   d. Crew
   e. Hostess
   Answer: a. Captain
2. The signal from the ______ indicated that the plane will not be able to land safely.
   a. Runway
   b. Control tower
   c. Hangar
   d. Cockpit
   e. Gangway
   Answer: b. Control tower
3. After the plane had managed to land, it took a long time before any passenger could claim their ______.
   a. Board pass
   b. Ticket
   c. Suitcase
   d. Luggage
   e. Bags
   Answer: d. Luggage
4. No plane could ______ until 12 midnight.
   a. Take off
   b. Taxi off
   c. Fly up
   d. Go off
   e. Leave ground
   Answer: a. Take off
5. The weather forecast had indicated that ______ in the northern parts of the country would be poor that morning.
   a. Conditions
   b. Clouds
   c. Sun shine
   d. Light
   e. Visibility
   Answer: e. Visibility

Conclusion

The teacher will summarize the key points discussed during the lesson and encourage students to think about their own experiences with air travel as they write their descriptive essays.