Lesson Plan: History Primary 6 First Term, Week 8
Subject: History
Class: Primary 6
Term: First Term
Week: 8
Age: 10-11 years
Topic: Military Rule in Nigeria: General Yakubu Gowon (1966-1975)
Sub-topic: Understanding General Gowon’s Rule and the Nigerian Civil War
Duration: 40 minutes
Behavioral Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
- Explain the meaning of a counter coup d’état.
- Mention the achievements of General Yakubu Gowon.
- Explain the challenges faced by Gowon’s administration.
- Relate the reasons for the Nigerian Civil War.
- Examine the effects of the Nigerian Civil War.
Keywords
- Counter coup d’état
- Achievements
- Challenges
- Nigerian Civil War
- Effects
Set Induction
The teacher will begin by asking pupils if they know what a counter coup is and discuss any known historical examples.
Entry Behavior
Pupils have some knowledge of Nigerian history and previous discussions about coups and military regimes.
Learning Resources and Materials
- Pictures of General Yakubu Gowon
- Charts showing the timeline of the Nigerian Civil War
- Lagos State Scheme of Work
Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge
The teacher will connect the lesson to previous discussions about Nigeria’s military history and introduce General Gowon’s era as a continuation of this historical context.
Embedded Core Skills
- Historical analysis
- Understanding complex events
- Communication and explanation skills
Instructional Materials
- Whiteboard and markers
- Projector (optional)
- Handouts with information on Gowon’s achievements and challenges
Content
1. Counter Coup d’état
A counter coup d’état is an attempt to overthrow a government that has itself come to power through a coup.
2. Achievements of General Yakubu Gowon
- Creation of States: Created 12 states to promote balance and stability.
- Post-War Reconstruction: Initiated efforts for rebuilding and national reconciliation after the Civil War.
- Economic Growth: Supported economic development and infrastructure projects.
3. Challenges Faced by Gowon’s Administration
- Civil War: Dealt with the ongoing Nigerian Civil War and its impacts.
- Economic Strain: Faced economic difficulties and scarcity of resources.
- Political Instability: Struggled with political opposition and unrest.
4. Reasons for the Nigerian Civil War
- Ethnic Tensions: Conflicts among different ethnic groups.
- Political Exclusion: Marginalization of certain regions and ethnic groups.
- Secession Movements: The desire of Biafra to secede from Nigeria.
5. Effects of the Nigerian Civil War
- Loss of Lives: Significant loss of life and displacement of people.
- Economic Damage: Severe economic impact and destruction of infrastructure.
- National Unity: Efforts towards national reconciliation and unity post-war.
Evaluation (15 Fill-in-the-Blank Questions with Options)
- A counter coup d’état is an attempt to ______ a government that has come to power through a coup.
a) Support
b) Overthrow
c) Reinforce
d) Strengthen
- General Yakubu Gowon’s administration created ______ states in Nigeria.
a) 6
b) 9
c) 12
d) 15
- One of Gowon’s achievements was the initiation of ______ after the Civil War.
a) Economic sanctions
b) Post-war reconstruction
c) Military expansion
d) Diplomatic isolation
- A major challenge during Gowon’s administration was the ongoing ______ War.
a) World
b) Korean
c) Nigerian Civil
d) Vietnam
- The Nigerian Civil War was caused by ethnic tensions and ______.
a) Economic growth
b) Political inclusion
c) Secession movements
d) Cultural exchange
- The counter coup of 1966 aimed to ______ the government of Gowon.
a) Protect
b) Overthrow
c) Support
d) Ignore
- One effect of the Nigerian Civil War was the ______ of infrastructure.
a) Enhancement
b) Destruction
c) Maintenance
d) Expansion
- General Gowon faced challenges related to ______ during his administration.
a) International relations
b) Economic strain
c) Space exploration
d) Environmental issues
- The Nigerian Civil War caused significant ______ among the population.
a) Growth
b) Wealth
c) Loss of lives
d) Entertainment
- Gowon’s administration was known for its efforts in ______ national reconciliation.
a) Ignoring
b) Promoting
c) Delaying
d) Preventing
- Ethnic tensions and political exclusion were ______ for the Civil War.
a) Solutions
b) Causes
c) Results
d) Benefits
- The creation of 12 states aimed to promote ______ and stability.
a) Division
b) Fragmentation
c) Balance
d) Conflict
- One of the effects of the Civil War was a push towards ______.
a) National reconciliation
b) Increased conflict
c) Isolation
d) Devolution
- Gowon’s administration struggled with ______ opposition and unrest.
a) Political
b) Social
c) Economic
d) Military
- Gowon’s efforts for rebuilding after the Civil War focused on ______.
a) Economic sanctions
b) International isolation
c) Post-war reconstruction
d) Political fragmentation
Class Activity Discussion (15 FAQ with Answers)
- What is a counter coup d’état?
An attempt to overthrow a government that has come to power through a coup.
- What are some achievements of General Yakubu Gowon?
Creation of states, post-war reconstruction, and economic development.
- What challenges did Gowon’s administration face?
Civil War, economic strain, and political instability.
- What were the main reasons for the Nigerian Civil War?
Ethnic tensions, political exclusion, and secession movements.
- What are the effects of the Nigerian Civil War?
Loss of lives, economic damage, and efforts towards national unity.
- How many states did Gowon create during his administration?
12 states.
- What was the purpose of Gowon’s post-war reconstruction efforts?
To rebuild and reconcile Nigeria after the Civil War.
- What impact did the Civil War have on Nigeria’s infrastructure?
It caused significant destruction.
- What was one major economic challenge for Gowon?
Scarcity of resources and economic difficulties.
- How did Gowon address ethnic tensions during his rule?
By creating states to balance ethnic representation.
- What were the primary causes of the Nigerian Civil War?
Ethnic tensions, political exclusion, and secessionist movements.
- How did the Nigerian Civil War affect the population?
It led to a high loss of lives and displacement of people.
- What was a key goal of Gowon’s administration after the Civil War?
National reconciliation and unity.
- What were some characteristics of Gowon’s leadership?
Efforts in post-war rebuilding and managing political challenges.
- How did the Nigerian Civil War influence the country’s future?
It led to significant changes in governance and efforts to strengthen national unity.
Presentation
Step 1: The teacher revises the concept of military coups and previous coups in Nigeria.
Step 2: The teacher introduces General Yakubu Gowon’s administration, including his achievements, challenges, and the Civil War.
Step 3: Pupils discuss their views on Gowon’s rule and the Civil War, with the teacher providing feedback and corrections.
Teacher’s Activities
- Explain the concept of a counter coup and Gowon’s achievements.
- Describe the challenges faced by Gowon’s administration and the reasons and effects of the Nigerian Civil War.
- Facilitate discussions and answer questions.
Learners’ Activities
- Listen to the explanation and take notes.
- Participate in discussions about Gowon’s administration and the Civil War.
- Complete the fill-in-the-blank questions and answer the FAQ.
Assessment
- Review pupils’ answers to the fill-in-the-blank questions and class activity discussion.
- Evaluate understanding through participation in discussions.
Evaluation Questions
- What is a counter coup d’état?
- Name some achievements of General Yakubu Gowon.
- What were the challenges faced by Gowon’s administration?
- What were the reasons for the Nigerian Civil War?
- What were the effects of the Nigerian Civil War?
- How many states did Gowon create during his rule?
- What was one major challenge for Gowon’s administration?
- How did the Civil War affect Nigeria’s infrastructure?
- What role did ethnic tensions play in the Civil War?
- What were Gowon’s efforts towards national reconciliation?
Conclusion
The teacher will mark the pupils’ work, provide feedback, and summarize key points about General Gowon’s administration and the Nigerian Civil War.
