Culture – Meaning, Components & Features Social Studies Jss 1 Second Term
Social Studies JSS 1 Second Term Lesson Notes – Week 4
Topic: Culture – Meaning, Components & Features
Subject: Social Studies
Class: JSS 1
Term: Second Term
Week: 4
Age: 10 – 12 years
Duration: 40 Minutes
Behavioral Objectives
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
- Define culture.
- Identify and explain the components of culture.
- Describe the features of culture.
- Give examples of different cultural practices.
Keywords
- Culture
- Norms
- Values
- Traditions
- Customs
- Beliefs
- Language
- Heritage
Set Induction
The teacher will ask students to mention things that make their community unique, such as language, dressing, food, or festivals, leading to the introduction of the topic “Culture.”
Entry Behavior
Students have prior knowledge of socialization from previous lessons.
Learning Resources and Materials
- Lagos State Scheme of Work
- Pictures of cultural artifacts and festivals
- Video clips showing traditional practices
- Flashcards with cultural symbols
Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge
The teacher will link the lesson to students’ everyday lives by discussing greetings, dressing, and foods from different cultures.
Embedded Core Skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking
- Social awareness
- Creativity
Reference Books
- Lagos State Unified Scheme of Work
- Social Studies for Junior Secondary Schools (UBE Edition)
- Essential Social Studies for JSS 1
Lesson Content
1. Meaning of Culture
Culture refers to the way of life of a group of people. It includes their beliefs, customs, traditions, language, dressing, food, and ways of interacting with others.
Examples of culture:
- The Yoruba people celebrating the Eyo Festival.
- The Igbo people wearing the Isi Agu (lion head) attire.
- The Hausa people celebrating Durbar festivals.
2. Components of Culture
Culture consists of different elements that define a society. These include:
i. Material Culture
- Physical objects created by a society.
- Examples: Clothes, houses, tools, musical instruments, artwork.
ii. Non-Material Culture
- The ideas, beliefs, and values of a society.
- Examples: Religion, traditions, laws, norms, and moral values.
iii. Language
- A means of communication unique to a group of people.
- Examples: Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, English, French.
iv. Customs and Traditions
- Practices passed from one generation to another.
- Examples: Naming ceremonies, marriage rites, and burial customs.
v. Values
- The moral principles of a society.
- Examples: Honesty, respect, hard work, and loyalty.
vi. Norms
- Rules that guide behavior in society.
- Examples: Greeting elders, dressing modestly, and obeying traffic rules.
3. Features of Culture
Culture has unique characteristics that distinguish one society from another.
i. Culture is Learned
- It is passed down from one generation to another.
ii. Culture is Shared
- Members of a society follow similar traditions and beliefs.
iii. Culture is Dynamic
- Culture changes over time due to modernization and interaction with other cultures.
iv. Culture is Symbolic
- It includes symbols such as language, art, and clothing that represent a society.
v. Culture is Adaptive
- It adjusts to new environments and influences.
vi. Culture Varies from One Society to Another
- Different societies have different customs and traditions.
Week 4: Culture – Meaning, Components & Features
15 Fill-in-the-Blank Questions with Options
-
Culture is the way of life of a _______.
a) Plant
b) Stone
c) People
d) Machine -
The two main types of culture are _______ and _______ culture.
a) Soft and hard
b) Material and non-material
c) Local and foreign
d) Small and big -
An example of material culture is _______.
a) Language
b) Religion
c) Clothes
d) Beliefs -
One example of non-material culture is _______.
a) Food
b) Music
c) Laws
d) Houses -
Culture is passed from one generation to another through _______.
a) Forgetting the past
b) Sleeping all day
c) Teaching and learning
d) Running away -
A key feature of culture is that it is _______.
a) Shared by a group of people
b) Known only by one person
c) Fixed and cannot change
d) Hidden from the public -
One important component of culture is _______.
a) Religion
b) Hunger
c) Poverty
d) Loneliness -
The way people greet in different societies is an example of _______.
a) Cultural practice
b) Bad behavior
c) Isolation
d) Sleeping habit -
The type of food people eat is influenced by their _______.
a) Culture
b) Shoes
c) Age
d) School -
A society’s traditional dance is part of its _______.
a) Culture
b) Clothing
c) Weather
d) Economy -
One major feature of culture is that it can _______ over time.
a) Change
b) Never change
c) Disappear completely
d) Be forgotten -
One example of a Nigerian cultural festival is the _______ Festival.
a) London
b) Argungu
c) Olympic
d) World Cup -
The way people dress in different societies is determined by their _______.
a) Culture
b) Height
c) Wealth
d) Favorite color -
Respect for elders is an important _______ in many cultures.
a) Value
b) Food
c) Song
d) Joke -
Language is an important part of culture because it helps people _______.
a) Communicate
b) Stay silent
c) Ignore each other
d) Avoid learning
Class Activity Discussion (FAQs & Answers)
-
What is culture?
- Culture is the way of life of a group of people, including their customs, beliefs, and traditions.
-
Give two examples of culture in Nigeria.
- Yoruba Eyo Festival, Igbo New Yam Festival.
-
Mention two components of culture.
- Material culture and non-material culture.
-
What is material culture?
- It includes physical objects like clothes, tools, and buildings.
-
How does language affect culture?
- Language helps people communicate and preserve their traditions.
-
Give one example of a cultural tradition in your community.
- (Student’s response based on personal experience.)
-
What is the difference between customs and values?
- Customs are traditional practices, while values are moral principles.
-
Why is culture dynamic?
- Because it changes over time due to modernization.
-
What makes culture unique?
- It is learned, shared, and symbolic.
-
Can people have more than one culture?
- Yes, people can adopt different cultures based on where they live.
Presentation Structure
Step 1: Introduction of the Topic
- The teacher explains the meaning of culture.
Step 2: Group Discussion
- Students discuss cultural practices in their communities.
Step 3: Explanation and Correction
- The teacher provides further explanations and corrects misconceptions.
Teacher and Learner Activities
Teacher Activities
- Defines and explains culture using real-life examples.
- Shows pictures and videos of cultural practices.
- Organizes group discussions on cultural differences.
- Corrects students’ misconceptions about culture.
Learner Activities
- Participate in discussions about cultural practices.
- Provide examples of culture from their background.
- Ask questions for further clarification.
- Observe and describe different cultural artifacts.
Assessment (Evaluation Questions)
- Define culture.
- List three components of culture.
- Explain the difference between material and non-material culture.
- What are customs and traditions?
- Give two examples of cultural values.
- Mention two features of culture.
- Why is culture important in society?
- How does culture change over time?
- Mention one cultural festival in Nigeria.
- Explain how language is a part of culture.
Conclusion
- The teacher marks students’ work, provides corrections, and summarizes key points.
- Students will be encouraged to observe cultural differences in their surroundings.