Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1, SS 1, SSS1, SSS 1)
Term: Second Term
Week: 9
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Computer Studies
Curriculum Theme: Computer Studies
Previous Lesson: Programming Language: Examples, comparison, advantages and limitations of each one.
Topic: BASIC PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE
Subject Matter: meaning of BASIC, beginners all purpose symbolic instructional code, BASIC statements LET READ INPUT DATA END PRINT, BASIC character set

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

State the full meaning of BASIC.
List the components of the BASIC character set.
Identify and mention some common BASIC statements.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the importance of BASIC as a foundational programming language.
Show interest in learning basic programming concepts.

Psychomotor Domain:

Demonstrate how to write simple BASIC statements.
Apply knowledge of BASIC character set in identifying valid program components.

Collaborate with peers in discussing BASIC programming concepts.
Participate actively in class discussions about programming.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for Computer Studies (Senior Secondary Education).
State Unified Scheme of Work for Computer Studies SSS 1.
Adekunle, A. A. (2018). Computer Studies for Senior Secondary Schools 1. Learn Africa Publications.

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

A computer with BASIC interpreter/compiler installed.
A chart displaying the BASIC character set.
A chart showing examples of common BASIC statements.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the foundational concepts of computer programming through BASIC, which is a simple and easy-to-learn language. Understanding BASIC provides a basic understanding of how computers process instructions and forms a good basis for learning more complex programming languages in the future.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have prior knowledge of basic computer operations and concepts of data input and output.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

BASIC PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE

Meaning of BASIC

BASIC stands for Beginner’s All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code. It is a high-level programming language designed for ease of use, making it suitable for beginners to learn programming concepts.

BASIC Character Set

The BASIC character set consists of all the valid characters that can be used in a BASIC program. These characters are used to form statements, commands, and data within the program.

The following are the components of the BASIC character set:

Alphabetic Characters: All uppercase and lowercase letters (A-Z, a-z).
Numeric Characters: All digits (0-9).
Special Characters: Symbols such as +, -, *, /, =, , (, ), [, ], {, }, comma (,), semicolon (;), colon (:), dollar sign ($), percentage sign (%), hash (#), exclamation mark (!), quotation mark (“), apostrophe (‘), underscore (_), etc.
Quotation marks for text output: ” “
Space for separating words and statements

Common BASIC Statements

BASIC statements are instructions given to the computer to perform specific tasks. Each statement usually begins with a keyword.

The following are some common BASIC statements:

LET: Used to assign a value to a variable.
- Example: LET A = 10
READ: Used to read values from a DATA statement and assign them to variables.
- Example: READ X, Y
INPUT: Used to accept data from the user during program execution.
- Example: INPUT "Enter your name: ", N$
DATA: Used to store data within the program, which can be accessed by READ statements.
- Example: DATA 10, 20, 30
END: Used to mark the end of a BASIC program.
- Example: END
PRINT: Used to display text or the value of variables on the screen.
- Example: PRINT "Hello World"

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 reviews the previous lesson briefly. The teacher then asks pupils if they know what “programming” means or if they have heard of any programming languages. The teacher introduces BASIC as a fundamental programming language.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to questions and listen attentively.
Learning Point: Pupils are prepared for the new lesson and connect to prior knowledge.

Step 2: Meaning of BASIC

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher writes “BASIC” on the board and asks pupils to guess its full meaning. After receiving some responses, the teacher clearly states and explains that BASIC stands for “Beginner’s All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code,” emphasizing its purpose for beginners.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils attempt to state the full meaning of BASIC and write down the correct definition.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the full meaning and purpose of BASIC.

Step 3: BASIC Character Set

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Listing/Identification
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the concept of a character set in programming. Using a chart, the teacher explains and lists the different types of characters that form the BASIC character set (alphabets, numbers, special characters), providing examples for each.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the chart, listen to the explanation, and list the components of the BASIC character set in their notes.
Learning Point: Pupils identify the valid characters used in BASIC programming.

Step 4: Common BASIC Statements

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what BASIC statements are. The teacher then introduces and explains common BASIC statements such as LET, READ, INPUT, DATA, END, and PRINT, providing simple examples for each on the board or chart.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, ask questions for clarification, and write down the definitions and examples of the BASIC statements.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the function of various BASIC statements.

Step 5: Practical Demonstration (Optional/If resources permit)

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: If a computer with BASIC is available, the teacher demonstrates running a very simple program using PRINT and INPUT statements to show how they work in practice. Otherwise, the teacher uses the chart to trace the execution of simple program logic.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the demonstration or follow the trace on the chart, noting how the statements execute.
Learning Point: Pupils see practical application of BASIC statements.

Step 6: Class Activity/Discussion

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Collaboration/Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher poses questions to the class, encouraging discussion on why BASIC is called a “beginner’s” language and how the different statements might be used together in a simple program. The teacher walks around to assist pupils.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils discuss among themselves and with the teacher, asking questions and contributing ideas.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their understanding through interaction and discussion.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

What is the full meaning of BASIC?
Mention three components of the BASIC character set.
List any three common BASIC statements and state their functions.
Which BASIC statement is used to display output on the screen?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson, reiterating the importance of BASIC in understanding programming fundamentals. The teacher then assigns homework: “Write down a simple BASIC program that asks for a user’s name and prints a greeting message.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy the homework assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils review the main concepts and have a task to reinforce learning.

Lesson Keywords

BASIC – Beginner’s All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code, a high-level programming language.
Character Set – The collection of valid characters that can be used in a programming language.
Statement – An instruction in a programming language that performs a specific action.
LET – A BASIC statement used to assign a value to a variable.
READ – A BASIC statement used to read data from a DATA statement.
INPUT – A BASIC statement used to get input from the user during program execution.
DATA – A BASIC statement used to store data within a program.
END – A BASIC statement used to mark the termination of a program.
PRINT – A BASIC statement used to display output on the screen.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can challenge them to think about how conditional statements (like IF…THEN) might work. For pupils who need more support, the teacher can provide simplified examples and extra guidance during the class activity, focusing on understanding just the meaning of BASIC and its character set.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure that the charts are clear and visible to all pupils. If a computer is not available for demonstration, a detailed walkthrough of program logic on the board or chart is essential. Encourage pupils to ask questions and participate actively to foster a better understanding of programming concepts.