Class: Primary 4
Term: 3rd Term
Subject: History
Curriculum Theme:
Previous Lesson: Some Nigerian People: Awori & Oro People
Topic: Major Ancient Features and Sites in Nigeria
Content/Learning Area: Historical Sites: Shrines, Museums, Cultural Centers, etc.
Time Allocation: 40 minutes

Performance Objectives

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

• Cognitive Domain: Identify major historical sites in Nigeria.
• Affective Domain: Show appreciation for the historical significance of Nigerian sites.
• Psychomotor Domain: Participate actively in discussions about historical sites.
• Social Domain: Collaborate with peers during group activities related to historical sites.

Reference Materials

1. Nigeria Primary History book 4
2. 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
3. Abuja Educational Resource Center Scheme of work
4. NAPPS National Unified Scheme of Work

Instructional Materials

To deliver this lesson, the teacher will employ the help of the following materials: Pictures/videos of historical sites in Nigeria, maps of Nigeria showing locations of historical sites, and textbooks.

Rationale for the Lesson

Understanding historical sites fosters national pride and preserves cultural heritage. This lesson introduces pupils to important sites, promoting awareness and appreciation for Nigeria’s rich history.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have basic knowledge of Nigeria’s geography and some famous places in their locality.

Lesson Content

Major Historical Features and Sites in Nigeria: Shrines, Museums & Cultural Centers

Nigeria has many ancient and historical sites that show the rich traditions, beliefs, and ways of life of its people. These places help us learn about Nigeria’s past and understand how communities lived, worshipped, and preserved their cultures.

1. Shrines

Shrines are sacred places where traditional religious activities take place. They are used for worship, sacrifices, and honoring ancestral spirits or deities.

Examples of Shrines in Nigeria:

• Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove (Osun State): A forest shrine dedicated to the goddess Osun. It is an important spiritual and cultural site of the Yoruba people.

• Ogwugwu Shrine (Anambra State): A traditional Igbo shrine used for spiritual consultations and ancestral worship.

2. Museums

Museums are places where important cultural and historical objects are kept and shown to the public. They help people learn about ancient tools, artworks, and traditions of Nigeria’s many ethnic groups.

Examples of Museums in Nigeria:

• National Museum, Lagos: Holds artifacts like Benin bronzes, Nok terracotta, and historical items from different parts of Nigeria.

• Esie Museum (Kwara State): Known for its large collection of stone figures believed to represent ancient ancestors.

• Owo Museum (Ondo State): Displays items from the Yoruba and Benin cultural areas, including masks and carvings.

3. Cultural Centers

Cultural centers are places where local customs, arts, music, language, and traditions are preserved and promoted. They are used for performances, exhibitions, and cultural education.

Examples of Cultural Centers in Nigeria:

• National Arts Theatre, Lagos: A center for cultural shows, music, and drama from across Nigeria.

• Benin Cultural Centre (Edo State): Promotes Edo history, festivals, and traditional arts.

• Arewa House (Kaduna State): A center for northern Nigerian history, literature, and cultural research.

4. Other Historical Sites

In addition to shrines, museums, and cultural centers, Nigeria has other ancient landmarks that tell stories about the country’s history, architecture, and defense systems.

Examples of Other Sites:

• Benin Moat (Edo State): One of the longest ancient earthworks, built to protect the old Benin Kingdom.

• Sukur Cultural Landscape (Adamawa State): A hilltop village with stone houses and ancient farming systems.

• Ancient Kano City Walls (Kano State): Old walls built to protect the city; they show traditional Hausa building skills.

These historical sites are important because they help preserve Nigeria’s rich heritage and teach younger generations about the country’s diverse cultures and histories.

Teaching Methods

To deliver this lesson,‌ ⁤the teacher will⁤ adopt⁤ the following methods: Discussion, Visual aids, Storytelling, Explanation, Field trip (virtual or Real).

Instructional Procedures

To deliver this lesson, the teacher will adopt the following steps:

Step 1: Introduction (The Teaching Skill for this step MUST be “Set Induction”)

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows pictures of famous Nigerian landmarks and asks pupils if they recognise any of them.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the pictures and share what they know about the landmarks.

Step 2: Guided Discussion on the Importance of Ancient Sites

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on why ancient places such as shrines, museums, and cultural centers are important to Nigeria’s history and heritage.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate by giving ideas on why such places should be remembered and preserved.

Step 3: Exploring Shrines, Museums, and Cultural Centers

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Visual Aids
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher presents pictures and brief descriptions of specific shrines, museums, and cultural centers in Nigeria.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils examine the visuals and discuss the significance of each site.

Step 4: Virtual Tour/Storytelling

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Storytelling
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher takes the pupils on a virtual tour of one of the historical sites or tells a story related to a specific site.
Pupils’ activity: Pupils participate in the virtual tour or listen to the story, asking questions and sharing their thoughts.

Step 5: Note-Taking

Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the notes into their notebooks.

Step 6: Evaluation/Review

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: the teacher asks questions to assess pupils’ understanding of the lesson.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer the questions to demonstrate their understanding.

Step 7: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the main points of the lesson and previews the next topic.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and ask any remaining questions.

Lesson Keywords

• Historical Site – A place of past events or cultural importance.
• shrine – A sacred place for religious worship.
• Museum – An institution for preserving and displaying artifacts.
• Cultural Center – A place that promotes cultural heritage.

Lesson Evaluation

To evaluate the learning, the teacher asks pupils to:

1. Name three historical sites in Nigeria.
2. explain the importance of preserving historical sites.
3. Describe what they learned about one specific historical site discussed in class.

Assignment/Homework

1. Research and write a short paragraph about a historical site in their local area.
2. Draw a picture of one of the historical sites discussed in class.

Differentiation

• For slower learners: Provide simplified notes and one-on-one assistance during activities.
• For advanced learners: Encourage them to research additional historical sites and present their findings to the class.
• For visual/auditory/kinesthetic learners: Use a variety of visual aids, storytelling, and hands-on activities to cater to different learning styles.

Note for Teachers

Ensure to use visual aids and real-life examples to make the lesson engaging and relatable for the pupils. Encourage active participation and questions to foster a deeper understanding of the topic.