• Class: Primary 3
  • Term: 1st Term
  • Week: 7
  • Age: 8 years
  • Period:
  • Duration: 40 minutes
  • Date:
  • Subject: National Values Education
  • Curriculum Theme: Civic Education
  • Topic: POLITICAL AND LEGAL DIMENSIONS OF CIVIC EDUCATION

Content:

  • Levels of government: Local, State, and Federal government.
  • The Judiciary: customary court, magistrate court, High court, Court of Appeal, Supreme court.

Specific Objectives:
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

  • Cognitive domain: Identify and explain levels of government and key judiciary levels.
  • Affective domain: Recognize the importance of the political and legal dimensions of civic education.
  • Psychomotor domain: Create a diagram showcasing the hierarchy of government.
  • Social Domain: Participate in a mock voting activity to understand the electoral process.

Reference Materials:

  • 9 – Years Basic Education Curriculum
  • Abuja Educational Resource Centre Scheme of work
  • NAPPS National Unified Scheme of Work
  • Online Information
  • Relevant Textbooks

Instructional Materials:

  • Charts or diagrams depicting the hierarchy of government
  • Visuals and images of different judiciary levels
  • Worksheets for pupil activities
  • Whiteboard and markers

Rationale for the Lesson:
Understanding the political and legal aspects of civic education is crucial for active citizenship and contributing positively to society.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge:
Basic knowledge of elections, the structure of government and the judiciary system.

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES:

Content Development: Political and Legal Dimensions of Civic Education

ContentTimeTeaching MethodTeaching StrategyTeacher’s ActivityPupils’ ActivityLearning Point
1. Introduction5 minsQuestion and AnswerBrainstormingThe teacher introduces the topic and asks pupils what they understand about levels of government and the judiciary.Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions and discuss among themselves.Understanding the basic concepts of government and judiciary.
2. Levels of Government10 minsExplanationVisual PresentationThe teacher uses diagrams and visuals to explain the levels of government (Local, State, Federal).Pupils observe and take notes.Identifying the hierarchy of government.
3. The Judiciary10 minsDiscussionGroup ActivityThe teacher divides pupils into groups to discuss different levels of the judiciary and their functions.Pupils collaborate to identify and discuss the various levels of the judiciary.Understanding the different levels of the judiciary and their roles.
4. Teaching Strategy5 minsInteractive ActivityMock VotingThe teacher organizes a mock voting exercise to simulate the electoral process.Pupils participate in the mock voting exercise.Understanding the voting process and its importance.
5. Note Taking3 minsNote TakingProviding HandoutsThe teacher gives out handouts summarizing the key points covered in the lesson.Pupils copy the notes into their notebooks.Recapitulation of the lesson.
6. Evaluation5 minsQuestion and AnswerOral QuizThe teacher asks questions to assess pupils’ understanding of the levels of government and the judiciary.Pupils respond to the questions orally.Assessing pupils’ comprehension of the topic.
7. Conclusion2 minsRecapSummarizationThe teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson and reinforces their importance.Pupils pay attention and ask any remaining questions.Reinforcement of the lesson objectives.

Classroom Note:

Political Dimension of Civic Education:

Understanding the political dimension involves comprehending how government functions within a country. It includes various levels of governance:

  1. Local Government: Manages community issues like sanitation and local regulations.
  2. State Government: Oversees matters such as education, infrastructure, and state policies.
  3. Federal Government: Handles national concerns like defense, foreign relations, and overall governance.

Legal Dimension of Civic Education:

The legal dimension focuses on the judiciary, which interprets and applies the law. It includes different levels:

  1. Customary Court: Resolves minor local disputes and traditional matters.
  2. Magistrate Court: Handles small criminal and civil cases at the district level.
  3. High Court: Deals with more complex legal issues and appeals from lower courts.
  4. Court of Appeal: Reviews decisions made by lower courts to ensure fairness.
  5. Supreme Court: The highest court; deals with constitutional matters and final appeals.

Importance of Political and Legal Dimensions of Civic Education:

Understanding these dimensions promotes active citizenship, ensures accountability in governance, and upholds the rule of law for a fair society.

Evaluation:

  1. Mention two levels of government in Nigeria.
  2. Name a level of the judiciary system and its function.
  3. Why is it important to understand the political and legal aspects of civic education?

Note to Teachers:
Customize the lesson content, teaching methods, and pupil activities to suit your teaching style, curriculum, and available resources. Adjust the complexity of explanations based on pupils’ comprehension levels.