The 36 States, FCT and Their Capitals for Pre-School Level 4

Class: Pre-School Level 4
Term: Second Term
Week: 8
Age: 5 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Social Habits
Curriculum Theme: Social Habits
Previous Lesson: Not separately stated in the scheme.
Topic: THE 36 STATES, FCT AND THEIR CAPITALS
Subject Matter: STATES AND THEIR CAPITALS – The 36 states, FCT and their capitals.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Name their state and its capital.
• Identify the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its capital, Abuja.
• Recognise a few other states and their capitals when shown on a chart.

Affective Domain

• Show interest in learning about the different parts of Nigeria.
• Participate enthusiastically in songs and rhymes about states and capitals.

Psychomotor Domain

• Point to their state and capital on a map or chart.
• Perform actions related to the lesson’s song or rhyme.

Social Domain

• Share the name of their state of origin if they know it.

Reference Materials

• NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 4
• Relevant Early Childhood Care and Education resources
• Early years social studies workbook

Instructional Materials

• Large map of Nigeria showing all 36 states and the FCT
• Charts/Posters displaying names of states and their capitals
• Flashcards with state names and capital names
• Pictures of famous landmarks in different states (optional)

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils develop a sense of national identity and belonging by introducing them to the geographical divisions of Nigeria. Understanding their own state and capital, and the concept of other states, helps them relate to their immediate environment and the larger country, fostering early civic awareness and knowledge of their heritage.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils know that they live in Nigeria, they live in a specific town or city, and they can identify their country’s flag.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

THE 36 STATES, FCT AND THEIR CAPITALS

Nigeria is our country. Our country is divided into many parts called States.

There are 36 States in Nigeria and one special place called the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Each State has a special city where the government works. This city is called the Capital.

The capital of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is Abuja.

We live in [Teacher to insert current state name] State, and its capital is [Teacher to insert current state capital].

Some other states and their capitals are:

• Lagos State – Capital: Ikeja
• Rivers State – Capital: Port Harcourt
• Kano State – Capital: Kano
• Enugu State – Capital: Enugu

Key Words

• State – A part of Nigeria.
• Capital – The main city of a state.
• Nigeria – Our country.
• Abuja – The capital of Nigeria (FCT).

What the Teacher Should Show or Draw

• Display a large map of Nigeria, clearly showing the 36 states and the FCT.
• Point to the pupils’ current state and its capital.
• Point to the FCT and Abuja.
• Show flashcards with the names of a few prominent states and their capitals.

States and Capitals Chant

Tune: “Are You Sleeping, Brother John?”

Lyrics:

Nigeria, our land so grand,
Many states across the land.
Each state has a capital,
Special city for us all.

My state is [Teacher to insert current state name],
Its capital is [Teacher to insert current state capital].
FCT is Abuja,
Our nation’s capital too!

Lagos, Ikeja!
Rivers, Port Harcourt!
Kano, Kano!
Let’s learn them all!

Actions:

• “Nigeria, our land so grand” – Spread arms wide.
• “Many states across the land” – Wiggle fingers across a map.
• “Each state has a capital” – Point to head.
• “Special city for us all” – Hug self.
• “My state is…” – Point to self.
• “Its capital is…” – Point to a specific spot on the map.
• “FCT is Abuja” – Make an ‘A’ shape with hands.
• “Our nation’s capital too!” – Salute.
• For specific states, use simple gestures (e.g., for Lagos, make a ‘L’ shape).

How to use the rhyme: Sing the chant slowly, repeating lines and actions several times. Encourage pupils to fill in their state and capital. Use it to introduce and reinforce the concept of states and capitals, especially their own and Abuja, then add a few more examples.

Watch and Learn About Our States

The teacher will play a short, engaging video about the 36 states and their capitals to help pupils visualise and hear the names.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Picture Talk, Question and Answer, Repetition, Practical Activity.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engaging/Recalling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and leads them in a short song about Nigeria. The teacher then asks, “What is the name of our country?” and “Where do we live?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, sing the song, and answer the questions, naming Nigeria and their town/city.

Learning Point: Pupils recall the name of their country and local area.

Step 2: Presentation – What are States and Capitals?

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining/Defining

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains that Nigeria is a big country divided into many parts called ‘States’. The teacher then explains that each state has a special main city called its ‘Capital’. The teacher introduces the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its capital, Abuja.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and repeat the words ‘State’ and ‘Capital’.

Learning Point: Pupils understand the basic concepts of a state and a capital.

Step 3: Demonstration – Our State and Capital

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Visualisation/Modelling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays a large map of Nigeria. The teacher points to the pupils’ current state and clearly names it and its capital. The teacher also points to the FCT and Abuja. The teacher asks pupils to repeat the names.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the map, point to their state and capital as guided, and repeat the names after the teacher.

Learning Point: Pupils identify their own state and capital, and the FCT and Abuja, on a map.

Step 4: Guided Practice – Other States and Capitals

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guiding/Reinforcing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows flashcards of a few other prominent states (e.g., Lagos, Rivers, Kano) and their capitals. The teacher points them out on the map and encourages pupils to repeat the names.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils look at the flashcards, locate the states on the map with the teacher’s guidance, and repeat the state and capital names.

Learning Point: Pupils begin to recognise names of a few other states and their capitals.

Step 5: Reinforcement – States and Capitals Chant

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Singing/Chanting

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads the pupils in singing the “States and Capitals Chant,” encouraging them to perform the actions and fill in their own state and capital. The teacher repeats the chant several times.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing along, perform the actions, and try to fill in the blanks for their state and capital.

Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their learning of states and capitals through a fun, repetitive song.

Step 6: Application – Identifying States and Capitals

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Checking for understanding

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher randomly points to their state, the FCT, and one or two other familiar states on the map and asks pupils to name them and their capitals. The teacher also asks pupils to mention their state of origin if they know it.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils orally name the states and capitals pointed to, and share their state of origin if they know it.

Learning Point: Pupils apply their knowledge by identifying states and capitals and sharing personal information.

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.

1. What is the capital of Nigeria (FCT)?
2. What is the name of our state?
3. What is the capital of our state?
4. Point to our state on the map.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill where appropriate.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute

Teaching Skill: Summarising/Closing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their participation and reminds them that knowing about their state and other states helps them understand more about Nigeria. The teacher encourages them to keep learning about their country.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and respond with “Thank you, Teacher.”

Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and feel encouraged.

Lesson Keywords

• State – A part of Nigeria.
• Capital – The main city of a state.
• Nigeria – Our country.
• Abuja – The capital of Nigeria (FCT).

Differentiation

• Support: For pupils who find it challenging, focus primarily on their own state and capital, and the FCT/Abuja. Use larger charts and repeat names slowly. Provide hand-over-hand guidance to point on the map.
• Extension: For pupils who grasp the concept quickly, encourage them to identify more states and capitals on the map. Ask them to name a state and its capital that was not explicitly covered in detail during the lesson.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Prepare the map of Nigeria, charts, and flashcards in advance. For this age group, memorising all 36 states and capitals in one lesson is not the primary goal. The focus should be on introducing the concept of states and capitals, helping them identify their own state and capital, and the FCT/Abuja. Use the song and video for broad exposure and repetition. Make the lesson highly visual and interactive. Encourage pupils to point and say the names. Observe which pupils can identify their own state and capital, and which can recognise a few others. This observable action demonstrates their understanding.