Class: Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS 3 / JS3)
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 6
Age: 14 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Religion Studies
Curriculum Theme: Islamic Religion Studies
Previous Lesson: Suratul Mulk: Q 27.
Topic: BRIEF HISTORY OF SOME NIGERIAN SCHOLARS
Subject Matter: Nana Asma’u bintu Fodio; her life history and contributions to Islam, Narrate the life history of the scholar as well as lessons learnt from the life.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Identify Nana Asma’u bintu Fodio as an important Nigerian Islamic scholar.
Describe key events in her life history.
List her major contributions to Islam and society.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the role of women in the development of Islam in Nigeria.
Value the importance of seeking and imparting knowledge.
Emulate the positive character traits of Nana Asma’u.

Psychomotor Domain:

Outline the significant contributions of Nana Asma’u to the Sokoto Caliphate.
Present lessons learned from her life.

Promote the importance of education and social welfare in their communities.
Apply the principles of piety and service learned from Nana Asma’u’s life.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for Islamic Religious Studies JSS 3
State Unified Scheme of Work for Islamic Religious Studies JSS 3
Islamic Religious Studies for Junior Secondary Schools Book 3.
Online resources on the history of the Sokoto Caliphate and Nana Asma’u.
https://www.islamicfinder.org/knowledge/biography/nana-asma-u/
https://muslimskeptic.com/2021/04/09/nana-asma-u-scholar-poet-reformer/

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Whiteboard and markers
Pictures or illustrations of Nana Asma’u (if available)
A chart showing a timeline of her life and contributions

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the significant roles played by Muslim women scholars in Nigerian history. Learning about Nana Asma’u’s life and contributions encourages pupils to pursue knowledge and contribute positively to their communities, regardless of gender.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have some basic knowledge of the history of Islam in Nigeria and the concept of Islamic scholarship.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

BRIEF HISTORY OF SOME NIGERIAN SCHOLARS

Nana Asma’u bintu Fodio: Life History and Contributions

Nana Asma’u bintu Shehu Uthman Dan Fodio was an influential Islamic scholar, poet, teacher, and social reformer. She was a princess of the Sokoto Caliphate and a daughter of its founder, Sheikh Uthman Dan Fodio. She is remembered for her extensive contributions to education, particularly for Muslim women, and her efforts in social welfare.

Life History of Nana Asma’u

Birth and Early Life: Born in 1793 in Degel, present-day Nigeria, Nana Asma’u grew up in a scholarly family. She was well-educated in Islamic sciences, Arabic, and Fula languages.
Family Background: Her father, Sheikh Uthman Dan Fodio, was the leader of the Sokoto Caliphate. Her mother, Hauwa, was also a scholar.
Role in the Sokoto Caliphate: She was an active participant in the intellectual and religious life of the Caliphate, serving as an advisor and intellectual leader.
Death: She passed away in 1864, leaving behind a rich legacy of scholarship and social work.

Contributions to Islam and Society

Nana Asma’u made several significant contributions, including:

Education: She established a system of itinerant women teachers called ‘Yan Taru (meaning “the associates” or “sisterhood”) who travelled to rural areas to educate women in their homes. This initiative significantly increased female literacy and Islamic knowledge.
Poetry and Literature: She was a prolific poet and writer, composing over 60 works in Arabic, Fula, and Hausa. Her poems covered various topics including Islamic jurisprudence, history, and moral guidance.
Social Welfare: She was deeply involved in social welfare activities, providing guidance and support to women, especially new converts and those affected by war.
Women’s Empowerment: Through her educational and social work, she empowered women by providing them with knowledge and a platform for intellectual engagement.

Lessons Learnt from the Life of Nana Asma’u

The life of Nana Asma’u teaches us many important lessons:

Importance of Knowledge: She emphasized the importance of seeking and spreading knowledge, especially Islamic knowledge.
Role of Women in Islam: Her life demonstrates that women can play leading roles in scholarship, education, and social reform within Islamic society.
Piety and Devotion: Her deep faith and commitment to Islamic principles guided all her actions.
Service to Humanity: She dedicated her life to serving her community, particularly by improving the lives of women through education and support.
Leadership and Initiative: She took initiative to address societal needs, such as illiteracy among women, and developed effective solutions.

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, reviews the previous lesson briefly, and then introduces the topic by asking pupils if they know any famous Nigerian Islamic scholars, especially women.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s greetings and questions, attempting to recall previous knowledge and name scholars.
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and their prior knowledge is activated, linking to the new lesson.

Step 2: Introduction of Nana Asma’u

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Narration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces Nana Asma’u bintu Fodio, briefly explaining who she was and her significance as a Nigerian Islamic scholar and princess of the Sokoto Caliphate. The teacher may show a picture if available.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and observe any visual aids presented.
Learning Point: Pupils learn the identity and basic background of Nana Asma’u.

Step 3: Her Life History

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Narration/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher narrates the life history of Nana Asma’u, covering her birth, family background, education, and her role within the Sokoto Caliphate. The teacher will also mention her death.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and take notes, asking questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the key events and context of Nana Asma’u’s life.

Step 4: Contributions to Islam and Society (Part 1)

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Listing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains Nana Asma’u’s contributions to education, specifically highlighting the ‘Yan Taru system and its impact on women’s literacy and Islamic knowledge.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, take notes, and may ask about the ‘Yan Taru system.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about Nana Asma’u’s pioneering efforts in female education.

Step 5: Contributions to Islam and Society (Part 2)

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher continues discussing Nana Asma’u’s contributions, focusing on her poetry, writings, and her involvement in social welfare and women’s empowerment.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and contribute to discussions on the importance of her literary works and social initiatives.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the breadth of her influence beyond just education.

Step 6: Lessons Learnt

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Synthesis/Application
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to identify and discuss the various lessons that can be learned from Nana Asma’u’s life, such as the importance of knowledge, female leadership, piety, and service.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils share their thoughts on the lessons learned and how they can apply them.
Learning Point: Pupils internalize moral and ethical values from the scholar’s life.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

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

Who was Nana Asma’u bintu Fodio?
Mention two significant events in her early life.
List three major contributions of Nana Asma’u to Islam and society.
What is the ‘Yan Taru system, and what was its purpose?
State two lessons you have learned from the life of Nana Asma’u.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization/Assignment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the main points of the lesson, reiterating the importance of Nana Asma’u’s legacy. The teacher then assigns homework: “Research other notable Nigerian Islamic scholars and write a brief summary of their contributions.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the homework assignment.
Learning Point: The lesson is reinforced, and pupils are encouraged to continue learning.

Lesson Keywords

Nana Asma’u – An influential Nigerian Islamic scholar, poet, and daughter of Sheikh Uthman Dan Fodio.
Sokoto Caliphate – An Islamic state established in the 19th century in West Africa, founded by Sheikh Uthman Dan Fodio.
‘Yan Taru – A system of itinerant women teachers established by Nana Asma’u to educate women.
Scholar – A learned person, especially one who has profound knowledge of a particular subject.
Contributions – The part played by a person in bringing about a result or helping something to advance.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher will encourage them to research and present more detailed aspects of Nana Asma’u’s poetry or the structure of the ‘Yan Taru system. For pupils needing more support, the teacher will provide simplified notes and focus on identifying her main contributions and one key lesson learned, offering individual guidance during activities.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should emphasize the historical context of Nana Asma’u’s life within the Sokoto Caliphate to help pupils understand the significance of her work. Encourage pupils to see her as a role model for both boys and girls in pursuing knowledge and contributing positively to society. Visual aids like maps showing the Sokoto Caliphate or images of historical figures can enhance understanding.