Class: Junior Secondary School 2 (JSS 2 / JS2)
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 1
Age: 13 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: History
Curriculum Theme: History
Previous Lesson: Third Term History Examination.
Topic: Origin and Early History of Songhai Empire
Subject Matter: Location of Songhai Empire on the Map of Africa

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Identify West Africa on a map.
State the general location of the Songhai Empire.
Name key cities within the Songhai Empire.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the geographical factors that influenced the Songhai Empire.
Show interest in learning about ancient African empires.

Psychomotor Domain:

Point to the Songhai Empire’s location on a map of Africa.
Sketch a simple map showing the approximate area of the Songhai Empire.

Discuss with peers the significance of the Niger River to the Songhai Empire.
Participate actively in group map activities.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for History (JSS 2)
State Unified Scheme of Work for History (JSS 2)
History for Junior Secondary Schools Book 2

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

A large political map of Africa
Textbooks
Chart showing the approximate boundaries of the Songhai Empire

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the geographical context of one of West Africa’s most significant historical empires. Knowing its location enables pupils to better grasp its rise, trade routes, and eventual decline, connecting history to geography.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have prior knowledge of the map of Africa and can identify major regions like West Africa. They may also have learned about other ancient West African kingdoms.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Origin and Early History of Songhai Empire

Location of Songhai Empire on the Map of Africa

The Songhai Empire was one of the largest and most powerful empires in West African history. It emerged along the bend of the Niger River in what is now Mali, Niger, and parts of Burkina Faso and Nigeria.

Key geographical features and locations include:

West Africa: The empire was centrally located in the western part of the African continent.
Niger River: This river was crucial to the empire, serving as a vital transport route for trade and providing fertile land for agriculture. Most of the major cities were situated along its banks.
Gao: The original capital of the Songhai kingdom, located on the Niger River.
Timbuktu: A renowned center of Islamic scholarship, trade, and culture, also located on the Niger River.
Djenne: Another important trading city and learning center, situated in the inland Niger Delta.
Trans-Saharan Trade Routes: The empire controlled significant portions of the trans-Saharan trade routes, connecting West Africa with North Africa and beyond.

The empire’s strategic location along the Niger River and its control over key trade routes contributed significantly to its wealth and influence from the 15th to the 16th centuries.

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 introduces the new topic: “Origin and Early History of Songhai Empire,” focusing on its location.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings and recall aspects of the previous lesson.
Learning Point: Pupils are prepared for the new lesson.

Step 2: Identifying West Africa

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays a map of Africa and guides pupils to identify and point out the West African region. The teacher asks pupils to name some countries in West Africa.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify West Africa on the map and name some countries.
Learning Point: Pupils correctly locate West Africa.

Step 3: Locating the Songhai Empire

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher points to the approximate historical location of the Songhai Empire on the map, emphasizing its position along the Niger River. The teacher explains that the empire covered parts of modern-day Mali, Niger, and surrounding areas.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the map and listen to the explanation, asking questions for clarity.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the general geographical area of the Songhai Empire.

Step 4: Discussing Key Features and Cities

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Lecture/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses the importance of the Niger River to the empire and names key cities like Gao, Timbuktu, and Djenne, pointing them out on the map or a chart.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and identify the cities on the map/chart.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about the major cities and the role of the Niger River.

Step 5: Sketch Map Activity

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Practical/Guidance
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to sketch a simple outline map of West Africa and mark the approximate location of the Songhai Empire and the Niger River.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils attempt to draw a sketch map in their notebooks.
Learning Point: Pupils practice their map-drawing and location skills.

Step 6: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

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

Which region of Africa was the Songhai Empire located in?
Name two major cities of the Songhai Empire.
What major river was central to the Songhai Empire’s development?
Point to the approximate location of the Songhai Empire on the map of Africa.

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 main points of the lesson, reiterating the location of the Songhai Empire and the importance of the Niger River. The teacher assigns homework: “Draw a map of West Africa and clearly mark the historical location of the Songhai Empire, including the Niger River and its key cities.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the homework assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and prepare for further study.

Lesson Keywords

Songhai Empire – A powerful West African empire that existed from the 15th to 16th centuries.
Niger River – The principal river of West Africa, vital for trade and agriculture in the Songhai Empire.
Gao – The original capital city of the Songhai kingdom.
Timbuktu – A major city in the Songhai Empire, famous for its trade and Islamic scholarship.
Djenne – An important trading city and learning center within the Songhai Empire.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp the concept quickly, the teacher can encourage them to research the specific trade routes that passed through the Songhai Empire. For pupils needing more support, the teacher will provide pre-drawn outline maps for them to fill in the Songhai Empire’s location and key features.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure the map of Africa used is clear and large enough for all pupils to see. Encourage pupils to actively participate by pointing on the map and asking questions. Emphasize the connection between geography and the empire’s power.