Class: Junior Secondary School 2 (JSS2, JSS 2)
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 10
Age: 13 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Cultural And Creative Arts
Curriculum Theme: Cultural And Creative Arts
Previous Lesson: Musical Styles and Instruments
Topic: Singing
Subject Matter: Singing in solfa notation e.g. d:r:m:f:s:l:t:d, Running of scale, Singing the national anthem

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:
(a) Identify the solfa notes and their sequence in a scale.
(b) Explain the steps involved in running scales and performing the national anthem.
Affective Domain:
(a) Show interest and enthusiasm while singing individually and in groups.
(b) Appreciate the importance of singing the national anthem with respect and pride.
Psychomotor Domain:
(a) Demonstrate correct singing techniques using solfa notation.
(b) Perform running scales smoothly and accurately.
Social Domain:
(a) Participate cooperatively in group singing activities.
(b) Respect peers during performance and provide positive feedback.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
Lagos State Unified Scheme of Work for Junior Secondary Schools
Britannica – Singing | Definition, History, Styles, & Facts
Relevant Textbooks

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Piano or keyboard
Music charts showing solfa notation
Audio recordings of the national anthem
Whiteboard and markers
Handouts with solfa exercises
Flashcards for note recognition

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson equips pupils with fundamental singing skills, enabling them to perform songs accurately and develop musical appreciation.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils should have basic knowledge of musical notes, rhythm, and previous exposure to singing simple songs using solfa notation.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Singing

Solfa Notation

Solfa notation is a method of representing musical notes using syllables: d (do), r (re), m (mi), f (fa), s (so), l (la), t (ti), d (do). It helps musicians read and sing music accurately.
The following are the solfa notes in order:

d – Do
r – Re
m – Mi
f – Fa
s – So
l – La
t – Ti
d – Do (octave higher)

Running of Scale

Running a scale involves singing the notes in ascending and descending order smoothly, which trains the voice to reach higher and lower pitches accurately.
These include:

Starting from d (Do) and progressing to the higher d (Do).
Returning from the higher d (Do) back to the lower d (Do).
Maintaining correct pitch and rhythm throughout.

Singing the National Anthem

The national anthem is a patriotic song that every citizen should learn and perform respectfully.
Examples include:

Observing proper posture while singing.
Pronouncing words clearly and accurately.
Singing with appropriate tempo and expression.
Respecting fellow performers and the audience during group singing.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Storytelling, Explanation, Visual Aids, Group Work, Demonstration, Question and Answer

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: The teacher introduces the lesson by asking pupils to recall previous songs sung using solfa notes and highlights the importance of accurate singing.
Pupils’ Activity: Listen attentively and respond to questions about prior singing experiences.
Learning Point: Engaging pupils’ prior knowledge to create interest in the lesson.

Step 2: Introduction to Solfa Notation

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation and Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher presents solfa notes on the board and demonstrates their pronunciation using a piano.
Pupils’ Activity: Repeat solfa notes after the teacher, practicing correct pronunciation.
Learning Point: Understanding solfa notation and its sequence.

Step 3: Running of Scale

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration and Guided Practice
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates ascending and descending scales, guiding pupils to follow along.
Pupils’ Activity: Practice singing the scale individually and in groups.
Learning Point: Developing smooth transitions between notes and correct pitch.

Step 4: Singing the National Anthem

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Group Work and Repetition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher plays an audio recording of the national anthem and explains the lyrics and melody.
Pupils’ Activity: Sing along, first in parts, then as a whole group, following solfa notation.
Learning Point: Applying solfa skills to perform the national anthem accurately.

Step 5: Note-Taking

Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Observation
Teacher’s Activity: Pupils are guided to write down key solfa notes and scale instructions in their notebooks.
Pupils’ Activity: Copy notes accurately for revision.
Learning Point: Recording important learning points for review.

Step 6: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning and Practical Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

List the solfa notes in order.
Demonstrate running a scale from d to d.
Sing the first line of the national anthem using solfa notation.
Pupils’ Activity: Answer questions and perform tasks individually or in groups.
Learning Point: Assessing understanding and practical ability.

Step 7: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summary
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the lesson, emphasizing the importance of singing accurately using solfa notation.
Pupils’ Activity: Listen and ask clarifying questions.
Learning Point: Consolidating the key points of the lesson.

Lesson Keywords

Solfa Notation – Method of representing musical notes
Scale – Sequence of musical notes in ascending or descending order
National Anthem – Patriotic song representing the country
Pitch – Highness or lowness of a note
Rhythm – Pattern of sounds in music

Differentiation

Teachers will group pupils by ability, providing extra guidance to beginners while allowing advanced pupils to perform in solos or lead group singing.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Encourage regular practice of scales and solfa exercises. Use audio aids for correct pitch and tempo. Monitor group singing for cooperative participation.