Class: Primary Three
Term: Third Term
Subject: Basic Science adn Technology
curriculum Theme: Physical & Health Education
Previous Lesson: Meaning of Noise, air, water and Pollution
Topic: Meaning of Mental Health & Importance of Rest
Content/Learning Area: meaning of Mental Health,Importance of rest,Symptoms of Mental Sickness,Ways of Taking Care of Mentally Sick Persons
Time Allocation: 40 minutes
Performance Objectives
By the end of the lesson,pupils should be able to:
- cognitive Domain:
- Explain the meaning of mental health.
- Explain the importance of rest for mental health.
- Identify symptoms of mental sickness.
- Describe ways of taking care of mentally sick persons.
- Psychomotor Domain:
- Demonstrate ways of taking care of mentally sick persons thru role-play.
- Affective Domain:
- Appreciate the importance of rest for mental health.
- Show empathy towards mentally sick persons.
- Social Domain:
- Work collaboratively during role-play activities.
- Communicate effectively during discussions.
Reference Materials
- 9 – Years Basic Education Curriculum
- Abuja Educational Resource Center Scheme of Work
- NAPPS National Unified Scheme of Work
- online Facts
- Relevant Textbooks
Instructional Materials
To deliver this lesson, the teacher will use the following materials: Charts, Pictures, Whiteboard or Chart Paper.
Rationale for the Lesson
understanding mental health and the importance of rest is crucial for pupils’ overall well-being. This lesson provides foundational knowledge for managing stress and promoting healthy lifestyles.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
The teacher will start by asking pupils about their feelings and how they manage stress. A brief discussion on the importance of feeling good will lead into the lesson topic.
Lesson Content
Meaning of Mental Health
Mental health encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, influencing how we think, feel, and act.Taking care of our mental health is as crucial as taking care of our physical health.
Importance of Rest
Rest is essential for maintaining good mental health, allowing our minds to relax and recover from daily stress.
adequate rest provides several benefits:
- Improves mood
- Enhances concentration
- Improves sleep quality
- Strengthens our immune system
- Reduces stress and anxiety
- Promotes overall well-being
Symptoms of Mental Sickness
Mental sickness can manifest in various ways, affecting a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
These include:
- Persistent sadness or worry
- Anger issues
- difficulty concentrating
- Sleep disturbances
- Social withdrawal
- Loss of interest in hobbies
- Appetite changes
- Low energy
- Hopelessness
- Thoughts of self-harm
- Irritability and restlessness
- Feeling overwhelmed or burnt out
Ways of taking Care of Mentally Sick Persons
Supporting someone with mental health challenges involves showing empathy, understanding, and practical assistance.
These include:
- Showing love and support
- Encouraging rest and good sleep
- Assisting with daily tasks
- Listening to their problems
- Encouraging professional help when needed
- Creating a safe and supportive habitat
- Promoting healthy habits like exercise and balanced nutrition
- Being patient and understanding
Teaching Methods
To deliver this lesson, the teacher will adopt the following methods: Interactive Discussion, Explanation, Visual Aids, Role-play, and Guided Note-Taking.
Instructional procedures
To deliver this lesson, the teacher will adopt the following steps:
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: Engage pupils in a brief discussion about feelings and stress management.
pupils’ Activity: Participate in the discussion, sharing their experiences.
Step 2: Explanation of Key concepts
Time: 12 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation,Visual Aids
Teacher’s Activity: Explain the meaning of mental health using charts and examples.Discuss the importance of rest.Pupils’ Activity: Listen attentively, ask clarifying questions, and take notes.
Step 3: exhibition/Guided Practice
Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration, Guided practice
Teacher’s Activity: Show pictures illustrating symptoms of mental sickness. Guide pupils in identifying these symptoms.
Pupils’ Activity: Observe the pictures, identify symptoms, and participate in a class discussion.
Step 4: Self-reliant Practice
Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Role-playing, Group Work
Teacher’s Activity: Facilitate a role-play activity where pupils demonstrate ways of caring for mentally sick persons.
Pupils’ Activity: Participate in the role-play, demonstrating their understanding.
Step 5: Note-Taking
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Note-Taking, Summarizing
Teacher’s Activity: Guide pupils in summarizing key points and writing notes.
Pupils’ Activity: Copy notes, ensuring they understand the key concepts.
Step 6: Evaluation/Review
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning, Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: Ask questions to assess pupils’ understanding of the lesson.
Pupils’ Activity: Answer questions, demonstrating their knowledge.
Objective-aligned checks:
- Explain the meaning of mental health.
- Explain the importance of rest for mental health.
- Identify symptoms of mental sickness.
Step 7: conclusion
Time: 2 minutes
teaching Skill: Summarizing, Encouragement
Teacher’s activity: Summarize the key points, emphasizing the importance of mental health and rest.Encourage pupils to practice self-care and seek help when needed.
Pupils’ Activity: Listen to the summary and reflect on the lesson’s key takeaways.
Lesson Keywords
- Mental Health – Emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
- Rest – Relaxation and recovery from daily stress.
- Symptoms – Signs of mental sickness.
- Empathy – Understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
- Self-care – Actions taken to improve one’s own health and well-being.
Lesson Evaluation
To evaluate the learning, the teacher asks pupils to:
- What does mental health mean?
- Why is rest important for mental health? (List three reasons)
- Name two symptoms of mental sickness.
- How can we help someone who is mentally unwell?
Assignment/Homework
- Write a short paragraph on why taking care of your mental health is important.
- List three activities you can do to relax and reduce stress.
- Talk to a family member about what you learned today and share one way to show empathy to someone who is struggling.
Differentiation
- for slower learners: Provide one-on-one assistance and simplified explanations.
- For advanced learners: Challenge with additional research tasks or deeper discussions.
- For visual/auditory/kinesthetic learners: Use visual aids,discussions,and role-play activities to cater to different learning styles.
Note for teachers
Encourage open discussions and create a safe space for pupils to share their thoughts and feelings. Emphasize the importance of seeking help from trusted adults when needed. Remind pupils that mental health is just as critically important as physical health and that taking care of their minds is essential for overall well-being.

Community Join the conversation Open discussion +