Class: Primary 4
Term: 1st Term
Week: 4
Age: 9 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: English Language Studies
Curriculum Theme: English Language Studies
Previous Lesson: Modal Auxiliaries, Tense Change, Moral Reading and Composition Writing.
Topic: Fundamentals of English Language: Obligation, Nouns, Poetry, and Sentence Writing
Subject Matter: Speech: Using “must” to express obligation; Grammatical Accuracy: Identifying nouns; Reading: Reading poems and identifying plot and setting; Writing: Writing simple sentences.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain:
- Define obligation and explain how “must” is used.
- Define a noun and identify different types.
- Explain what plot and setting mean in a poem.
- Identify the components of a simple sentence.
Affective Domain:
- Appreciate the importance of expressing obligation correctly.
- Show interest in identifying nouns in sentences.
- Enjoy reading poems and understanding their meaning.
- Value clear and correct sentence writing.
Psychomotor Domain:
- Construct simple sentences using “must” to express obligation.
- Point out nouns in given sentences or texts.
- Read short poems aloud with appropriate expression.
- Write grammatically correct simple sentences.
Social Domain:
- Participate actively in class discussions about language use.
- Collaborate with peers to identify nouns and discuss poem elements.
Reference Materials
The following resources were used in planning this lesson:
- 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for Primary Schools.
- State Unified Scheme of Work for Primary 4 English Language.
- Effective English for Primary Schools, Book 4.
- https://www.education.gov.ng
- https://www.nerdc.gov.ng
Instructional Materials
The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:
- Charts showing examples of “must” sentences.
- Flashcards with different nouns.
- A short poem written on a chart or blackboard.
- Pupils’ notebooks and English Language textbooks.
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson helps pupils to use English correctly for daily communication by teaching them to express what is necessary. It also enables them to understand and appreciate written texts like poems, and to write their own clear sentences, which are important skills for all subjects.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils have basic knowledge of words, simple sentences, and can read short texts.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
Fundamentals of English Language: Obligation, Nouns, Poetry, and Sentence Writing
Speech: Using “must” to express obligation
Obligation means something that needs to be done or is required. We use the word “must” to show that something is necessary or compulsory.
The following are examples of sentences using “must”:
- You must finish your homework before playing.
- We must obey our parents and teachers.
- Pupils must come to school on time.
Grammatical Accuracy: Identifying nouns
A noun is a word used to name a person, place, animal, or thing.
The following are examples of nouns:
- People: teacher, boy, doctor, Mary
- Places: school, market, Nigeria, Abuja
- Animals: dog, lion, bird, cat
- Things: book, table, car, pencil
Reading: Reading poems and identifying plot and setting
A poem is a piece of writing that expresses ideas or feelings in a beautiful style, often using rhythm and rhyme.
Plot: The plot of a poem is the sequence of events or the main story that happens in the poem. It tells us what takes place.
Setting: The setting of a poem is where and when the events of the poem take place. It tells us the time and place of the story.
Writing: Writing simple sentences
A simple sentence is a sentence that has one independent clause. It expresses a complete thought. It usually contains one subject and one predicate (verb).
The following are examples of simple sentences:
- The boy ran. (Subject: The boy, Predicate: ran)
- She eats rice. (Subject: She, Predicate: eats rice)
- Birds fly. (Subject: Birds, Predicate: fly)
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 what they must do every morning before coming to school. This helps to introduce the concept of obligation.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by mentioning tasks like brushing teeth, eating breakfast, or getting ready.
Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the idea of things they are required to do.
Step 2: Presentation of Obligation (Using “must”)
Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of obligation and demonstrates how to use “must” with examples written on the board or a chart. The teacher asks pupils to create simple sentences using “must.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, observe the examples, and attempt to form their own sentences with “must.”
Learning Point: Pupils understand how to express obligation using “must.”
Step 3: Presentation of Nouns
Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Definition/Identification
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines a noun as a name of a person, place, animal, or thing. The teacher gives various examples and uses flashcards to show different nouns. The teacher asks pupils to identify nouns from a list of words.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the definition, observe the examples, and identify nouns when prompted by the teacher.
Learning Point: Pupils can define and identify nouns.
Step 4: Presentation of Reading Poems
Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Reading Aloud/Guidance
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher presents a simple poem (on a chart or written on the board) and reads it aloud to the class with proper expression. The teacher then guides the pupils to read the poem together and individually.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the teacher read the poem and then read it aloud themselves.
Learning Point: Pupils practice reading poems fluently.
Step 5: Presentation of Plot and Setting in Poems
Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Analysis
Teacher’s Activity: Using the poem from Step 4, the teacher explains what plot and setting mean. The teacher then guides pupils to identify the plot (what happened) and the setting (where and when it happened) within that poem.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the explanations and actively participate in identifying the plot and setting of the poem.
Learning Point: Pupils understand and can identify the plot and setting of a poem.
Step 6: Presentation of Writing Simple Sentences
Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Practice
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what a simple sentence is and demonstrates how to write simple sentences on the board, pointing out the subject and predicate. The teacher then asks pupils to write two simple sentences in their notebooks.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the explanation, observe the demonstration, and then write their own simple sentences.
Learning Point: Pupils can write grammatically correct simple sentences.
Step 7: Evaluation/Review
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:
- What does “must” express?
- Give two examples of sentences using “must” to show obligation.
- Define a noun.
- List three examples of nouns.
- What is the plot of a poem?
- Explain what the setting of a poem means.
- Write two simple sentences.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.
Step 8: Conclusion
Time: 1 minute
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarizes the key points of the lesson (using “must,” identifying nouns, understanding poems, writing simple sentences) and assigns homework: “Write five sentences using ‘must’ and underline all the nouns in them.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy the homework.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and are given tasks to reinforce understanding.
Home Task: Write four correct English sentences that demonstrate the main language skill in Fundamentals of English Language: Obligation, Nouns, Poetry, and Sentence Writing.
Lesson Keywords
- Obligation – something that must be done.
- Must – a word used to show necessity or requirement.
- Noun – a word that names a person, place, animal, or thing.
- Poem – a piece of writing that expresses feelings or ideas, often with rhythm and rhyme.
- Plot – the sequence of events or story in a poem.
- Setting – the time and place where the events of a poem occur.
- Sentence – a group of words that expresses a complete thought.
- Simple Sentence – a sentence with one independent clause (one subject and one predicate).
Differentiation
For pupils who are struggling, the teacher will provide simpler examples and more direct guidance, perhaps working in small groups. Advanced pupils will be encouraged to create more complex sentences with “must,” identify nouns in longer texts, or describe the plot and setting of a more challenging poem.
Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Encourage active participation by all pupils. Use real-life examples relevant to their experiences to make the concepts relatable. Provide positive reinforcement for effort and correct responses. Ensure that pupils have enough practice time for each skill taught.



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