Class: Primary 5
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 7
Age: 10 years
Duration: 40 minutes
Subject: History
Curriculum Theme: History
Previous Lesson: Origin of Christianity in Nigeria
Topic: Early Christian Missionaries
Content: Early Christian missionaries e.g., Mary Slessor, Bishop Ajayi Crowther, Henry Townsend…

Performance Objectives

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

Cognitive domain: Mention five early Christian missionaries and their contributions to Christianity in Nigeria.
Affective domain: Appreciate the sacrifices made by early Christian missionaries.
Psychomotor domain: Write a short note on one early Christian missionary.
Social domain: Discuss how the actions of early missionaries influence modern-day values.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9–Years Basic Education Curriculum, Abuja.
Educational Resource Centre Scheme of Work.
NAPPS National Unified Scheme of Work.
Online Information from: jstor – Christian Missions in Nigeria, 1841-1891
Relevant Textbooks.

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Flashcards with names of missionaries and their contributions.
Pictures of early Christian missionaries.
A timeline chart of Christian missionary activities.
The Bible.

Rationale for the Lesson

Understanding the contributions of early Christian missionaries helps pupils appreciate the development of Christianity in Nigeria and its influence on moral and social values.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have learned about the origin of Christianity in Nigeria and can identify some key events that led to its spread.

Instructional Procedures

To deliver this lesson, the teacher will adopt the following steps:

Content Development	Time	Teaching Method	Teaching Strategy	Teacher’s Activity	Pupils’ Activity	Learning Point
Step 1: Introduction (Set induction)	5 mins	Discussion	Questioning	Asks pupils to recall what they learned about the origin of Christianity in Nigeria.	Respond by sharing prior knowledge about Christianity.	Connection to prior knowledge.
Step 2: Identifying Missionaries	10 mins	Interactive Teaching	Storytelling & Visual Aids	Introduces five early missionaries using flashcards and tells brief stories about them.	Listen attentively and ask questions.	Names and roles of missionaries.
Step 3: Explaining Contributions	10 mins	Expository	Guided Discussion	Explains the contributions of Mary Slessor, Ajayi Crowther, Henry Townsend, etc.	Take notes and participate in the discussion.	Understanding missionaries’ impact.
Step 4: Note Taking	5 mins	Direct Instruction	Writing	Dictates and guides pupils to copy notes into their books.	Copy the note neatly into their books.	Reinforcement through writing.
Step 5: Evaluation	5 mins	Questioning	Individual Response	Asks questions to test pupils’ understanding of the topic.	Answer questions orally or in writing.	Assessment of comprehension.
Step 6: Conclusion	5 mins	Recap & Summary	Class Discussion	Recaps key points and links them to modern values like selflessness.	Share what they learned and ask final questions.	Consolidation of learning.

Lesson Content

Early Christian Missionaries

Christianity spread in Nigeria through the work of devoted missionaries. These missionaries dedicated their lives to spreading the gospel, building schools, and promoting social change. Below are five notable early Christian missionaries:

Mary Slessor (1848–1915): A Scottish missionary who stopped the killing of twins in Calabar and cared for orphaned children.
Bishop Ajayi Crowther (1809–1891): The first African bishop who translated the Bible into Yoruba and promoted education.
Henry Townsend (1815–1886): A British missionary who started the first printing press in Nigeria and published the first Yoruba newspaper.
Thomas Birch Freeman (1809–1890): Spread Christianity in Abeokuta and other parts of southwestern Nigeria.
Samuel Bill (1864–1942): Founded the Qua Iboe Church in southeastern Nigeria and established schools.

Lesson Evaluation

To evaluate the learning, the teacher asks pupils to:

List five early Christian missionaries.

Mention one contribution of Bishop Ajayi Crowther.
Why is Mary Slessor remembered in Nigeria?
Write a short note on any one missionary.
How do the actions of these missionaries influence our lives today?

Note for Teachers Using This Lesson Plan

Ensure that pupils actively participate during the lesson by asking them to share their thoughts and ask questions. Use the pictures and flashcards to make the topic relatable and engaging for pupils. Happy teaching!

Press ESC to close

Early Christian Missionaries (Primary 5)