Directions, Health Practitioners, Passive Verbs, Main Ideas and Figures of Speech for JSS 1

Class: Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS 1 / JS1)
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 6
Age: 12 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: English Language Studies
Curriculum Theme: English Language Studies
Previous Lesson: Diagrams, Informal Letters, Active Verbs, Question Tags and Food Safety Drama.
Topic: Directions, Health Practitioners, Passive Verbs, Main Ideas and Figures of Speech
Subject Matter: Reading to follow direction in written communication, health practitioners; Identification of active and passive verbs; Listening for main ideas; Definition of figures of speech, similes and metaphors.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

• Follow written directions accurately.
• Identify various health practitioners from a given passage.
• Distinguish between active and passive verbs in sentences.
• Identify the main idea in a selected passage.
• Define figures of speech, specifically simile and metaphor.

Affective Domain:

• Appreciate the importance of clear communication in following directions.
• Develop an interest in identifying different types of verbs in texts.
• Show willingness to listen carefully to extract main ideas.
• Enjoy identifying figures of speech in literary texts.

Psychomotor Domain:

• Read and interpret written directions to perform simple tasks.
• List examples of active and passive verb forms.
• Practise identifying main ideas from short passages.
• Identify and underline similes and metaphors in provided texts.

Social Domain:

• Participate in discussions about different health practitioners.
• Collaborate with peers to identify main ideas in passages.
• Share examples of figures of speech found in their reading.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• State Unified Scheme of Work
• Macmillan English for Junior Secondary Schools 1
• https://www.google.com/search?q=reading+to+follow+direction+in+written+communication
• https://www.google.com/search?q=health+practitioners
• https://www.google.com/search?q=identification+of+active+and+passive+verbs
• https://www.google.com/search?q=listening+for+main+ideas
• https://www.google.com/search?q=definition+of+figures+of+speech,+similes+and+metaphors

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Illustrative charts showing directions
• Pictures of various health practitioners
• Relevant texts and newspaper articles
• Textbook
• Posters with examples of active/passive verbs and figures of speech

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils to understand and apply essential English language skills such as following directions, identifying key information, and understanding grammatical structures and literary devices. These skills are important for effective communication and for interpreting various texts in academic and daily life.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have basic knowledge of reading, writing simple sentences, and identifying common nouns and verbs.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Understanding Directions, Health Practitioners, Verbs, Main Ideas, and Figures of Speech

1. Reading to Follow Directions

Directions are instructions or guidance on how to do something or where to go. Following directions correctly helps us complete tasks, navigate places, and understand important messages.

Examples of directions:

• Turn left at the junction.
• Go straight until you see the market.
• Read the first paragraph, then answer question 2.

2. Health Practitioners

Health practitioners are professionals who provide medical care and advice to people. They help to keep us healthy and treat us when we are sick.

Examples of health practitioners:

• Doctor: Diagnoses and treats illnesses.
• Nurse: Cares for patients and assists doctors.
• Pharmacist: Dispenses medicines and advises on their use.
• Dentist: Cares for teeth and gums.
• Optician: Checks eyesight and provides glasses.
• Physiotherapist: Helps people recover from injuries through exercise.

3. Active and Passive Verbs

Verbs show action or a state of being. They can be in either active or passive voice.

• Active Voice: The subject of the sentence performs the action. It is direct and clear.

  Example: The boy kicked the ball. (The boy is the subject and performs the action of kicking).

• Passive Voice: The subject of the sentence receives the action. The focus is on the action or the object that receives the action. It is formed using a form of the verb ‘to be’ (is, am, are, was, were) and the past participle of the main verb.

  Example: The ball was kicked by the boy. (The ball is the subject and receives the action of kicking).

How to change from active to passive voice:

1. Make the object of the active sentence the new subject.
2. Use the correct form of the verb ‘to be’ (is, am, are, was, were).
3. Use the past participle of the main verb.
4. (Optional) Use ‘by’ + the original subject to show who performed the action.

4. Listening for Main Ideas

The main idea is the most important point or central message of a passage or paragraph. It tells what the passage is mostly about.

How to find the main idea:

• Look for the topic sentence, often found at the beginning or end of a paragraph.
• Identify repeated words or phrases.
• Ask yourself: “What is the author trying to tell me?” or “What is the most important thing about this topic?”

5. Figures of Speech: Simile and Metaphor

Figures of speech are words or phrases used in a non-literal way to create a special effect or meaning. They make language more interesting and expressive.

• Simile: A figure of speech that compares two different things using the words ‘like’ or ‘as’.

  Examples:

  • He is as brave as a lion.
  • Her smile shines like the sun.
• Metaphor: A figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things by stating that one thing *is* another, without using ‘like’ or ‘as’.

  Examples:

  • He is a lion in battle.
  • The classroom was a zoo.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them if they have ever followed instructions to find a place or assemble something. The teacher then introduces the topic by explaining that today’s lesson will cover several important aspects of English, including understanding directions, identifying health workers, verbs, main ideas, and figures of speech.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions and listen attentively to the introduction.
Learning Point: Pupils are prepared for the lesson and understand its scope.

Step 2: Reading to Follow Directions and Health Practitioners

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher presents a short passage containing written directions and a description of various health practitioners. The teacher guides pupils to read the directions aloud and identify the health practitioners mentioned in the passage, explaining their roles.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils read the passage, follow the directions, and identify health practitioners. They ask questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils learn to follow written directions and identify health practitioners.

Step 3: Identification of Active and Passive Verbs

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the concept of active and passive verbs using examples from the board summary. The teacher then provides sentences, including some related to “war against cultism,” and guides pupils to identify the verbs and determine if they are active or passive.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the explanation, identify active and passive verbs in provided sentences, and practise converting sentences from active to passive voice.
Learning Point: Pupils understand and can identify active and passive verb forms.

Step 4: Listening for Main Ideas

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Illustration/Guided Practice
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher reads a selected passage on cleanliness, illustrating how to listen for the main idea. The teacher then provides another short passage and asks pupils to listen carefully to identify its main idea.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the passages and practise identifying the main idea of each. They share their findings.
Learning Point: Pupils develop skills in listening for and identifying main ideas.

Step 5: Definition of Figures of Speech, Similes and Metaphors

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines figures of speech, then specifically explains simile and metaphor with clear examples. The teacher encourages pupils to identify similes and metaphors in their textbooks or other reading materials.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the definitions and examples, and attempt to identify similes and metaphors in short texts provided by the teacher.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the definitions and can identify similes and metaphors.

Step 6: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. Give two examples of written directions.
2. Mention three health practitioners and their roles.
3. Explain the difference between active and passive verbs with an example for each.
4. What is the main idea of a passage?
5. Define simile and metaphor, providing one example for each.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarizes the key points of the lesson, emphasizing the importance of these language skills for effective communication. The teacher then assigns homework.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the homework.
Learning Point: Pupils recall the main concepts and receive homework for reinforcement.

Home Task: Write four correct English sentences that demonstrate the main language skill in Directions, Health Practitioners, Passive Verbs, Main Ideas and Figures of Speech.

Lesson Keywords

• Directions – Instructions or guidance.
• Health Practitioners – Professionals who provide medical care.
• Active Voice – Subject performs the action.
• Passive Voice – Subject receives the action.
• Main Idea – The central point of a passage.
• Figures of Speech – Words used in a non-literal way for effect.
• Simile – Comparison using ‘like’ or ‘as’.
• Metaphor – Direct comparison stating one thing is another.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher will provide more complex passages for main idea identification and additional texts to find more advanced figures of speech. For pupils who need more support, the teacher will provide simpler texts, clearer step-by-step guidance for verb identification, and pair them with stronger pupils for collaborative learning.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should ensure to use engaging and age-appropriate materials. Encourage active participation from all pupils and provide constructive feedback. Practical examples from daily life will help pupils relate better to the concepts of directions and health practitioners. Emphasize the structure of active and passive voice and the distinct features of simile and metaphor.