Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before this lesson, ensure you have a clear chart or poster of the Nigerian National Pledge, and if possible, a Nigerian flag or a picture of one. Prepare the audio/video resources to demonstrate the pledge recitation. The central idea for pupils is to recognise the pledge as a special promise to Nigeria and to learn the respectful posture and some key phrases. Successful learning will be observed when pupils stand respectfully with their hand on their chest and attempt to repeat parts of the pledge.
Class: Pre-School Level 2
Term: Second Term
Week: 7
Age: 3 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Social Habits
Curriculum Theme: Not separately stated in the scheme.
Previous Lesson: Learning about our community helpers.
Topic: The Nigerian National Pledge: Recognition and Recitation
Subject Matter: The National Pledge: Recognizing and Reciting the National Pledge. Weekly focus: The Nigerian National Pledge: Recognition and Recitation.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Recognise the Nigerian National Pledge when they hear or see it.
- Identify the respectful posture for reciting the National Pledge (standing with hand on chest).
Affective Domain
- Show respect by standing quietly when the pledge is recited.
- Develop a sense of pride in being a Nigerian.
Psychomotor Domain
- Stand still and place their hand on their chest when prompted.
- Attempt to recite parts of the Nigerian National Pledge.
Social Domain
- Participate in group recitation of the pledge.
- Demonstrate orderly behaviour during the pledge recitation.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 2
- Relevant Early Childhood Care and Education resources
Instructional Materials
- Chart/Poster of the Nigerian National Pledge
- Pictures of children reciting the National Pledge
- Nigerian flag (real or picture)
- Audio recording of the National Pledge
- Video of children reciting the National Pledge
Rationale for the Lesson
Learning the Nigerian National Pledge at this age helps children develop an early sense of national identity and belonging. It introduces them to the concept of making a promise to their country and teaches them a respectful civic habit, fostering patriotism and good citizenship from a young age.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils know that they live in Nigeria and can identify the Nigerian flag. They can follow simple instructions like standing up or sitting down.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
The Nigerian National Pledge: Recognition and Recitation
The Nigerian National Pledge is a special promise we make to our country, Nigeria. When we say the pledge, we show that we love our country and promise to be good citizens.
How to say the Pledge:
- Stand up straight.
- Place your right hand on your chest.
- Look straight ahead.
- Say the words clearly.
The Nigerian National Pledge:
I pledge to Nigeria my country,
To be faithful, loyal and honest,
To serve Nigeria with all my strength,
To defend her unity,
And uphold her honour and glory,
So help me God.
Key Words
- Pledge – A special promise.
- Nigeria – Our country.
- Recite – To say something out loud from memory.
- Respect – To show care and honour.
Our Nigeria Pledge Song
Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Lyrics:
Nigeria, our dear land,
We make a promise, hand in hand.
With hand on chest, we stand so tall,
Love our country, one and all.
Nigeria, Nigeria, strong and free,
Our National Pledge for you and me.
Actions: Stand up, place hand on chest, point forward, hug self.
Watch and Practise the Pledge
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Introduce the National Pledge as a special promise to Nigeria. Use the chart/poster to point to the words and pictures. Emphasize the respectful posture and explain that even if pupils cannot say all the words, standing respectfully is important. Focus on the first few lines for recitation practice.
What to show or demonstrate: Display the Nigerian flag and the pledge chart. Demonstrate standing straight with your right hand on your chest. Model saying the pledge slowly and clearly, line by line, for pupils to imitate.
How to use the rhyme/song: Sing “Our Nigeria Pledge Song” together multiple times. Encourage pupils to do the actions as they sing. This helps reinforce the concept of loving Nigeria and making a promise.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a way to see other children saying the pledge. Play the video and encourage pupils to watch the actions and try to repeat some of the words along with the children in the video. After watching, discuss what they saw and practised.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils attempt to stand respectfully and place their hand on their chest. Listen for their attempts to repeat key words or phrases from the pledge. Provide gentle correction and encouragement for participation.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Picture Talk, Repetition, Role-play.
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engagement/Recall
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and starts with a simple patriotic song like “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” (first verse) or a song about Nigeria. The teacher asks pupils what they love about Nigeria.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, sing along, and share simple ideas about Nigeria.
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and think about Nigeria.
Step 2: Introduction to the National Pledge
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Visual Aid
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays the chart/poster of the Nigerian National Pledge and a picture of the Nigerian flag. The teacher explains that the pledge is a special promise we make to our country, Nigeria, to be good and loyal. “It’s like saying ‘I promise to love Nigeria!'”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils look at the chart/poster and the flag, listen to the explanation, and repeat “I promise to love Nigeria!”
Learning Point: Pupils understand the pledge as a promise to Nigeria.
Step 3: Teacher Demonstration of the Pledge
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Modelling/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates how to recite the pledge with the correct posture: standing straight, placing the right hand on the chest, and saying the words clearly and slowly. The teacher recites the full pledge once.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the teacher carefully, observing the posture and listening to the words.
Learning Point: Pupils observe the correct way to stand and recite the pledge.
Step 4: Guided Practice (First Lines and Actions)
Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Repetition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to stand up and place their right hand on their chest. The teacher then says the first few lines of the pledge slowly, pausing for pupils to repeat after them. (e.g., “I pledge to Nigeria my country,” “To be faithful, loyal and honest”). The teacher corrects posture gently.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils stand, place their hand on their chest, and repeat the lines after the teacher.
Learning Point: Pupils practise the posture and begin to recite parts of the pledge.
Step 5: Video and Full Pledge Practice
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Multimedia Integration/Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher plays the video of children reciting the Nigerian National Pledge. After the video, the teacher leads the class in reciting the full pledge again, encouraging pupils to join in with the actions and words they remember.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video, then stand and try to recite the pledge with the teacher, focusing on the actions and repeating familiar words.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their recognition and recitation through visual and auditory aids.
Step 6: Reinforcement with Song
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Song Integration/Fun Activity
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads pupils in singing “Our Nigeria Pledge Song” from the Board Summary. The teacher encourages pupils to perform the actions while singing.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the song and perform the associated actions, enjoying the activity.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce the concept of the pledge and national pride through song and movement.
Step 7: Evaluation/Review
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher checks pupils’ understanding through short questions and practical tasks.
- “What do we do when we say the National Pledge?” (Teacher demonstrates standing with hand on chest, pupils imitate).
- “What is the pledge a promise to?” (Guide to “Nigeria”).
- Ask pupils to try and say the first line of the pledge.
- Ask pupils to show the correct posture for the pledge.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill where appropriate.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.
Step 8: Conclusion
Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization/Praise
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises pupils for their participation and efforts. The teacher reminds them that saying the pledge is a way to show love for Nigeria and encourages them to practice at home. The teacher dismisses the class.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the teacher, respond to praise, and prepare for dismissal.
Learning Point: Pupils feel encouraged and understand the importance of the lesson.
Lesson Keywords
- Pledge – A special promise.
- Nigeria – Our country.
- Recite – To say something out loud from memory.
- Respect – To show care and honour.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who find it difficult, focus only on the actions (standing, hand on chest) and repeating just the first phrase “I pledge to Nigeria.” Provide more one-on-one modelling and hand-over-hand guidance for the actions.
- Extension: For pupils who quickly grasp the concept, encourage them to say more lines of the pledge independently. Ask them what it means to “love Nigeria” in simple terms.
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