Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1 / SSS1)
Term: 1st Term
Week: 3
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Radio, TV & Electronics
Curriculum Theme: Trade
Previous Lesson: Structure Of Matter: Definition, Structure And Atoms.
Topic: CONDUCTORS, INSULATORS AND SEMI- CONDUCTORS.
Subject Matter: Conductors, Conducting materials, Aluminium, Brass, Copper, Gold, Lead

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Define conductors, insulators, and semi-conductors.
Identify various conducting, insulating, and semi-conducting materials.
List examples of conductors, insulators, and semi-conductors.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the importance of different materials in electrical circuits.
Show interest in the properties of materials used in electronics.

Psychomotor Domain:

Differentiate between conducting and insulating materials by observation.
Handle samples of various materials to observe their properties.

Collaborate with peers to identify and discuss material properties.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for Basic Technology (JSS 1-3) / Senior Secondary Education Curriculum for Trade Subjects.
State Unified Scheme of Work for Radio, TV & Electronics (SSS 1).
Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) publications.
Adeola, J. A. (2018). Basic Electronics for Senior Secondary Schools. Ibadan: Spectrum Books.

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Copper wire
Aluminium sheet
Brass rod
Various metal samples (e.g., gold, lead)
Rubber band
Plastic ruler
Wooden stick
Small light bulb, battery, and connecting wires for demonstration

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand how different materials behave when electricity passes through them. Knowing the properties of conductors, insulators, and semi-conductors is important for understanding how electrical devices work and for safety in handling electrical components in daily life.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils should have a basic understanding of electricity and simple circuits from their junior secondary school Basic Technology lessons.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

CONDUCTORS, INSULATORS AND SEMI- CONDUCTORS.

Conductors

Conductors are materials that allow electric current to flow through them easily. They have a large number of free electrons that can move freely from one atom to another, carrying electrical energy.

The following are examples of conducting materials:

Copper
Aluminium
Brass
Gold
Lead
Silver
Iron
Water (impure)

Insulators

Insulators are materials that do not allow electric current to flow through them easily. They have very few free electrons, meaning electrons are tightly bound to their atoms and cannot move to carry current.

The following are examples of insulating materials:

Rubber
Plastic
Wood
Glass
Ceramic
Dry air
Mica

Semi-conductors

Semi-conductors are materials that have electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator. Their ability to conduct electricity can be controlled and changed by adding impurities (doping) or by changes in temperature. They are fundamental to modern electronics.

The following are examples of semi-conducting materials:

Silicon
Germanium
Gallium Arsenide

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 recall what they know about materials that allow electricity to pass through and those that do not. The teacher then introduces the topic: Conductors, Insulators, and Semi-conductors.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to questions and listen attentively.
Learning Point: Pupils are prepared for the lesson and understand the topic.

Step 2: Presentation of Conductors

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines conductors and explains why they allow electricity to flow. The teacher displays samples of conducting materials like copper wire, aluminium sheet, brass rod, and other metal samples. A simple circuit demonstration (battery, bulb, wires, and a conductor) is used to show current flow.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to explanations, observe the material samples, and watch the demonstration. They identify the displayed conducting materials.
Learning Point: Pupils understand what conductors are and can identify common examples.

Step 3: Presentation of Insulators

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Comparison
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines insulators, explaining why they resist the flow of electricity. The teacher displays samples of insulating materials like rubber, plastic, and wood. The teacher also demonstrates using the simple circuit that these materials do not allow current to flow.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, observe the samples, and note the difference in conductivity compared to conductors.
Learning Point: Pupils understand what insulators are and can identify common examples.

Step 4: Presentation of Semi-conductors

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines semi-conductors as materials with properties between conductors and insulators. The teacher explains their importance in electronic devices and mentions common examples like silicon.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and ask questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the concept of semi-conductors and their basic role.

Step 5: Practical Identification and Discussion

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher gives pupils various materials (some conductors, some insulators) and guides them to identify each category based on the lesson. The teacher encourages discussion among pupils on the uses of these materials.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils examine the materials, discuss with peers, and classify them.
Learning Point: Pupils develop practical skills in identifying material properties.

Step 6: Evaluation/Review

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

Define a conductor and give two examples.
What is an insulator? Mention two materials that are good insulators.
Explain the term “semi-conductor.”
State one difference between a conductor and an insulator.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 7: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization/Homework Assignment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson, reiterating the definitions and examples of conductors, insulators, and semi-conductors. The teacher assigns homework: “List five applications of conductors and five applications of insulators in everyday life.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy the homework assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and apply knowledge to real-world contexts.

Lesson Keywords

Conductor – A material that allows electric current to flow easily.
Insulator – A material that resists the flow of electric current.
Semi-conductor – A material with electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator.
Aluminium – A lightweight, silvery-white metallic element, a good conductor.
Copper – A reddish-brown metallic element, an excellent conductor.
Brass – An alloy of copper and zinc, also a good conductor.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can ask them to research specific uses of semi-conductors in electronics. For pupils needing more support, the teacher will provide more one-on-one guidance during the practical identification activity and use simplified language and more visual aids.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure all material samples are safe for pupils to handle. Emphasize the safety aspects of working with electricity and the role of insulators in preventing electric shock. Encourage pupils to relate the concepts to everyday appliances and wiring.