Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS 1)
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 2
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Block Laying, Brick Laying and Concrete Work
Curriculum Theme: Entrepreneurship (Trade Subjects)
Previous Lesson: Timbering to Trenches and Soil Support.
Topic: BUILDING FOUNDATION
Subject Matter: purpose of foundation, types of foundation, shallow foundation, deep foundation

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Define building foundation.
State at least three purposes of a building foundation.
Identify and list the two main types of foundation.
Differentiate between shallow and deep foundations.
List at least four tools and materials used for foundation work.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the importance of a strong foundation in building construction.
Show interest in learning about different types of foundations.

Psychomotor Domain:

Sketch simple diagrams of shallow and deep foundations.
Identify various tools and materials used for foundation work by sight.

Participate actively in class discussions about building foundations.
Collaborate with peers to identify types of foundations from charts.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for Basic Technology (Trade Subjects)
State Unified Scheme of Work for Senior Secondary Schools
Building Construction for Senior Secondary Schools by E.A. Adedokun
https://nigerianschoolsinfo.com/building-foundation-types-and-purpose/

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Charts showing different types of foundations (strip, raft, pile, etc.)
Pictures or actual samples of tools used in foundation work (e.g., shovel, pickaxe, measuring tape)
Diagrams illustrating shallow and deep foundations

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the basic support structure of any building. Knowing about foundations is important for anyone considering a career in building construction or simply to appreciate the safety and stability of buildings around them.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils are expected to have some basic knowledge of building materials and simple construction terms from their everyday observations.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

BUILDING FOUNDATION

Definition of Foundation

A foundation is the lowest part of a structure that transfers the load of the building to the ground or soil below it. It is the part of the structure that is usually below ground level.

Purpose of Foundation

The purposes of a building foundation include the following:

To provide a level and firm base for the construction of the building.
To support the total load of the structure and transfer it safely to the soil.
To prevent unequal settlement of the building, which can cause cracks.
To provide stability against natural forces like wind and earthquakes.
To prevent moisture from rising into the building structure.

Types of Foundation

Foundations are generally classified into two main types based on their depth relative to the ground surface:

Shallow Foundation
Deep Foundation

Shallow Foundation

Shallow foundations are foundations that transfer the building load to a layer of soil at a relatively shallow depth below the ground surface. The depth of a shallow foundation is typically less than or equal to its width.

The following are common types of shallow foundations:

Strip Foundation: Used for walls, it is a continuous strip of concrete that supports a load-bearing wall.
Pad Foundation (Isolated Footing): Used to support individual columns or piers. It is a square or rectangular slab of concrete.
Raft Foundation (Mat Foundation): A large concrete slab that covers the entire area beneath a structure and supports all the columns and walls. Used when the soil has low bearing capacity.

Deep Foundation

Deep foundations are foundations that transfer the building load to a much deeper and stronger soil or rock stratum far below the ground surface. They are used when the shallow soil layers are weak or unstable.

The following are common types of deep foundations:

Pile Foundation: Consists of long, slender columns (piles) made of concrete, steel, or timber, driven or cast into the ground to transfer loads to deeper, stronger soil or rock.
Pier Foundation: Similar to pile foundations but are typically larger in diameter and constructed by excavating a shaft and filling it with concrete.
Caisson Foundation: Large watertight retaining structures, usually cylindrical, sunk through water or soft ground to a suitable foundation level.

Tools and Materials for Foundation Work

The following are some tools and materials commonly used in foundation work:

Tools: Shovel, Pickaxe, Digging bar, Measuring tape, Spirit level, Trowel, Wheelbarrow, String line, Builder’s square.
Materials: Cement, Sand, Gravel (aggregate), Water, Reinforcement bars (rebar), Timber (for formwork), Hardcore.

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 to observe the school building. The teacher then asks, “What do you think supports this building and prevents it from sinking into the ground?” The teacher links their answers to the topic of foundation.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the question and listen attentively as the teacher introduces the topic.
Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the concept of building foundation and its importance.

Step 2: Definition and Purpose of Foundation

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines building foundation using simple terms and explains its various purposes with examples. The teacher uses charts to illustrate the concept.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, take notes, and ask questions for clarification. They define foundation and state its purposes.
Learning Point: Pupils understand what a foundation is and why it is essential for a building.

Step 3: Types of Foundation

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Classification
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the two main types of foundation: shallow and deep foundations, explaining the basis of this classification.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and identify the two main types of foundations.
Learning Point: Pupils learn the broad categories of foundations.

Step 4: Shallow Foundation

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Elaboration/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains shallow foundations in detail, discussing types like strip, pad, and raft foundations. The teacher uses charts and diagrams to show how these foundations look and where they are typically used.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the charts, take notes, and ask questions. They can identify and describe different shallow foundation types.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the characteristics and common forms of shallow foundations.

Step 5: Deep Foundation

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Elaboration/Comparison
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains deep foundations, including pile, pier, and caisson foundations. The teacher uses charts to illustrate these types and compares them with shallow foundations, highlighting when each type is suitable.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe, listen, and take notes. They can describe deep foundation types and understand their application.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the characteristics and common forms of deep foundations and their differences from shallow foundations.

Step 6: Tools and Materials for Foundation Work

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Identification/Listing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows pictures or actual tools and materials used in foundation work and explains their functions. The teacher lists common materials like cement, sand, gravel, water, and rebar.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify the tools and materials and note their uses.
Learning Point: Pupils can identify basic tools and materials required for foundation construction.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

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

Define a building foundation.
State three purposes of a building foundation.
Mention the two main types of foundation.
List three tools used for foundation work.

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 key points of the lesson and gives pupils homework: “Draw and label a simple strip foundation.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy the homework assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and prepare for further study.

Lesson Keywords

Foundation – The lowest part of a structure that transfers the load of the building to the ground.
Shallow Foundation – A foundation that transfers building loads to a layer of soil at a shallow depth.
Deep Foundation – A foundation that transfers building loads to a deeper, stronger soil or rock stratum.
Strip Foundation – A continuous strip of concrete used for load-bearing walls.
Pile Foundation – Long, slender columns driven or cast into the ground to transfer loads to deeper soil.

Differentiation

The teacher will use visual aids like charts and diagrams to cater to visual learners. Group discussions will be encouraged to allow pupils to learn from each other. For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, they may be asked to research local examples of different foundation types. Struggling pupils will receive additional guidance and simpler explanations.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should ensure that the charts and diagrams are clear and large enough for all pupils to see. Practical examples from the local environment should be used to make the lesson relatable. Encourage pupils to ask questions and participate actively. Safety precautions related to foundation work should be briefly mentioned.