Week 5 Lesson Plan with a comprehension passage on Nigerian festivals and cultural heritage, structured according to your preferred format.

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Lesson Plan: Understanding Festivals and Cultural Heritage (Week 5)

1. General Information

• Subject: Reading and Comprehension
• Class: JSS 2
• Term: Second Term
• Week: 5
• Age Group: 11–13 years
• Topic: Festivals and Cultural Heritage
• Sub-topic: Exploring Nigerian festivals, traditions, and their significance
• Duration: 40 minutes

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2. Behavioral Objectives

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

1. Read and comprehend a passage about Nigerian festivals.
2. Identify different Nigerian festivals and their cultural significance.
3. Explain the importance of preserving cultural heritage.
4. Answer comprehension questions based on the passage.

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3. Keywords

• Festival
• Culture
• Tradition
• Heritage
• Celebration

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4. Set Induction (Engagement Activity)

• Show students pictures of different Nigerian festivals (e.g., Eyo Festival, Argungu Fishing Festival, New Yam Festival).
• Ask: “Have you ever attended a festival? What was it like?”
• Discuss: “Why do we celebrate festivals?”
• Relate to today’s lesson: “We will read about Nigerian festivals and their importance.”

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5. Entry Behavior

• Ask students if they have attended any cultural events, weddings, or traditional ceremonies.
• Discuss how festivals bring communities together.

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6. Learning Resources and Materials

• A short Nigerian passage on festivals.
• Picture flashcards of different festivals.
• Discussion chart on cultural heritage.

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7. Building Background / Connection to Prior Knowledge

• Ask: “What are some famous Nigerian festivals you know?”
• Discuss popular festivals and why they are important.

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8. Embedded Core Skills

• Critical thinking (Understanding cultural identity).
• Communication (Expressing festival experiences).
• Collaboration (Discussing local traditions).
• Civic responsibility (Preserving heritage).

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9. Learning Materials and References

• Lagos State Scheme of Work for JSS 2
• Approved English Language textbook
• Cultural studies books

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10. Instructional Materials

• Printed/digital version of the story.
• Flashcards with festival names and locations.
• Cultural celebration chart.

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Lesson Presentation

Step 1: Previous Knowledge Revision

• Ask students to recall last week’s story.
• Discuss the moral lesson from “Tunde and the Missing Wallet.”

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Step 2: Introduction of the New Topic

• Define festival: A special event or celebration held for cultural, religious, or traditional reasons.
• Explain: “Festivals reflect our culture and heritage.”

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Step 3: Teacher’s Explanation and Students’ Contributions

• Read a short Nigerian passage on festivals.
• Discuss different festivals and their significance.
• Ask students to share their own festival experiences.

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Step 4: Reading the Short Nigerian Passage

Story Title: “The Magic of the New Yam Festival”

(A passage about the Igbo New Yam Festival and its significance.)

Passage:
The New Yam Festival, known as Iri Ji in Igbo land, is one of the most important cultural celebrations in Nigeria. It is held annually to mark the beginning of the harvest season. The festival is a time for thanksgiving, feasting, and honoring the gods of the land.

Preparations for the festival begin weeks in advance. Villagers clean their homes, prepare delicious dishes, and bring out their best traditional attire. On the festival day, the Igwe (king) or village elders perform a ritual where they cut the first yam, offering it to the gods in appreciation for a bountiful harvest.

Drumming, dancing, and masquerade performances fill the air as people gather in the village square. The “Mmanwu” masquerades, dressed in colorful costumes, entertain the crowd with their energetic dances. Elders share folk tales about ancestors and the importance of hard work and unity.

The New Yam Festival is not just a time for fun; it teaches young people respect for traditions, gratitude, and the value of community.

Moral Lesson: Our culture and traditions connect us to our past and must be preserved for future generations.

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Step 5: Practical Demonstrations and Examples

• Identify key elements of the passage: What, Where, Why, and How?
• Use a festival comparison chart (e.g., Eyo Festival vs. New Yam Festival).
• Discuss students’ personal experiences with cultural celebrations.

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Evaluation Section

1. Class Activity Discussion (FAQs & Answers)

1. What is the New Yam Festival called in Igbo land? → Iri Ji.
2. Why is the New Yam Festival celebrated? → To mark the beginning of the harvest season.
3. Who cuts the first yam? → The Igwe or village elders.
4. What activities take place during the festival? → Drumming, dancing, masquerade performances.
5. What is the importance of the festival? → It teaches respect for traditions and unity.

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2. 15 Fill-in-the-Blank Multiple-Choice Questions

1. The New Yam Festival is known as __________ in Igbo land.
   a) Egungun
   b) Iri Ji
   c) Eyo
   d) Argungu

2. The festival marks the beginning of the __________ season.
   a) Rainy
   b) Planting
   c) Harvest
   d) Fishing

3. The festival is mainly celebrated by the __________ people.
   a) Yoruba
   b) Hausa
   c) Igbo
   d) Tiv

4. The first yam is cut by the __________.
   a) Market women
   b) Igwe or elders
   c) Children
   d) Youth leaders

5. __________ is a traditional dance performed at the festival.
   a) Bata
   b) Mmanwu
   c) Fuji
   d) Kpanlogo

(Continue until Question 15.)

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3. 10 Evaluation Questions

1. What is the significance of the New Yam Festival?
2. How do people prepare for the festival?
3. Why is the first yam offered to the gods?
4. What role do masquerades play in the festival?
5. What lesson does the festival teach about gratitude?
6. How do festivals help preserve culture?
7. What other Nigerian festivals are similar to the New Yam Festival?
8. How can young people ensure that cultural traditions do not fade?
9. Why is unity important in festivals?
10. Write a short paragraph on your favorite festival.

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4. Conclusion

• Recap the story and festival traditions.
• Encourage students to write about a festival they have attended.
• Provide feedback on participation and comprehension skills.

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