Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1, SS 1, SSS1, SSS 1)
Term: Second Term
Week: 1
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Financial Accounting
Curriculum Theme: Financial Accounting
Previous Lesson: .
Topic: GENERAL JOURNAL
Subject Matter: Meaning of general journal, uses of general journal, advantages of general journal, opening entries, closing entries, layout of a general journal.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Define a general journal.
State at least three uses of a general journal.
Explain at least two advantages of using a general journal.
Describe the layout of a general journal.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the importance of the general journal in financial record-keeping.
Show interest in correctly preparing accounting entries.

Psychomotor Domain:

Draw the correct layout of a general journal.
Prepare simple opening and closing entries in a general journal.

Participate actively in class discussions.
Collaborate with peers to solve accounting problems.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for Financial Accounting (Senior Secondary Education).
State Unified Scheme of Work for Financial Accounting SSS 1.
Onaolapo, S. A., & Olagoke, A. M. (2018). Financial Accounting for Senior Secondary Schools, Book 1. Learn Africa Plc.

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

A chart showing the layout of a general journal.
Specimen receipts and invoices.
Whiteboard and markers.

Rationale for the Lesson

Understanding the general journal helps pupils learn how to record transactions that do not fit into special journals. This knowledge is important for maintaining complete and accurate financial records for any business, providing a clear audit trail for transactions.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils should have basic knowledge of source documents, the concept of debit and credit, and the accounting equation from previous lessons.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

GENERAL JOURNAL

Meaning of General Journal

The general journal is the book of original entry where transactions that cannot be recorded in any of the special journals (like cash book, sales day book, purchases day book, returns inwards book, returns outwards book) are first recorded. It is also known as the journal proper.

Uses of General Journal

The general journal is used for recording various types of transactions, including:

Opening entries.
Closing entries.
Adjusting entries.
Correction of errors.
Purchase or sale of fixed assets on credit.
Transfer of balances from one account to another.
Bad debts written off.

Advantages of General Journal

The advantages of using a general journal include:

It provides a chronological record of transactions.
It helps in identifying the debit and credit aspects of each transaction.
It serves as an explanation for transactions, as it includes narrations.
It simplifies the posting process to the ledger.

Layout of a General Journal

A general journal typically has the following columns:

Date: For the date of the transaction.
Particulars: For the names of the accounts to be debited and credited, along with a brief narration.
Folio (F): For the ledger page number to which the entry is posted.
Debit (₦): For the amount to be debited.
Credit (₦): For the amount to be credited.

Opening Entries

Opening entries are the first entries made in the books of accounts at the beginning of an accounting period. They record the assets, liabilities, and capital of the business from the previous period’s closing balances. For example, if a business starts with cash, bank balance, and a loan, these would be recorded as opening entries.

Closing Entries

Closing entries are made at the end of an accounting period to transfer the balances of temporary accounts (revenue, expenses, and drawings) to permanent accounts (capital). This process prepares the temporary accounts for the next accounting period by reducing their balances to zero.

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 on source documents and books of original entry. The teacher then asks pupils where transactions that do not fit into special journals are recorded, leading to the topic of the general journal.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to questions and listen attentively.
Learning Point: Pupils recall previous knowledge and are introduced to the new topic.

Step 2: Meaning of General Journal

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of a general journal as the book of original entry for transactions not recorded in special journals. The teacher writes the definition on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, ask questions for clarity, and write down the definition.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the definition of a general journal.

Step 3: Uses and Advantages of General Journal

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Elucidation/Listing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains and lists the various uses of the general journal, such as opening entries, closing entries, and correction of errors. The teacher also explains the advantages of using it, emphasizing its role in providing a complete record. These points are written on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, take notes, and ask questions.
Learning Point: Pupils learn the uses and benefits of the general journal.

Step 4: Layout of a General Journal

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays a chart showing the layout of a general journal. The teacher explains each column (Date, Particulars, Folio, Debit, Credit) and its purpose, drawing a sample layout on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the chart, copy the layout, and ask questions about the columns.
Learning Point: Pupils understand and can draw the correct layout of a general journal.

Step 5: Opening Entries

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Application
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the concept of opening entries and demonstrates a simple example of an opening entry for a business starting with assets and liabilities, showing how to record them in the general journal.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the demonstration, ask questions, and attempt to record a similar entry.
Learning Point: Pupils learn how to prepare opening entries in the general journal.

Step 6: Closing Entries

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Application
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the purpose of closing entries and demonstrates a simple example of transferring an expense or revenue account balance to the Income Summary account, then to Capital. The entry is recorded in the general journal.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the demonstration and practice recording a simple closing entry.
Learning Point: Pupils learn how to prepare closing entries in the general journal.

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 general journal.
Mention three uses of the general journal.
State two advantages of using a general journal.
Draw the layout of a general journal and label its columns.

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/Assignment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarizes the key points of the lesson, reiterating the importance of the general journal. The teacher then assigns homework: “List five transactions that would typically be recorded in the general journal.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy the homework.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and are given tasks to reinforce understanding.

Lesson Keywords

General Journal – A book of original entry where transactions not recorded in special journals are first entered.
Narration – A brief explanation of a transaction recorded in the journal.
Opening Entry – The initial entry made at the beginning of an accounting period to record assets, liabilities, and capital.
Closing Entry – Entries made at the end of an accounting period to transfer temporary account balances to permanent accounts.
Folio – A column in the journal used to record the ledger page number to which an entry is posted.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can provide additional complex transactions for journalizing. For pupils who need more support, the teacher will offer one-on-one guidance, provide simplified examples, and allow peer tutoring during practice sessions.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure that pupils have a solid understanding of debit and credit rules before introducing the general journal. Use real-life examples from small businesses to make the lesson more relatable. Encourage pupils to practice journalizing various types of transactions to build confidence and accuracy.