### Lesson Plan: Civic Education for Junior Secondary 3
#### Topic: The 1979 Constitution
**Grade:** Junior Secondary 3
**Subject:** Civic Education
**Duration:** 60 minutes
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#### **Objectives:**
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
1. Understand the significance of the 1979 Constitution in Nigeria's history.
2. Identify the main features of the 1979 Constitution.
3. Explain the impact of the 1979 Constitution on Nigeria’s governance.
4. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the 1979 Constitution.
#### **Materials Needed:**
- Whiteboard and markers
- Projector and laptop
- Handouts of the 1979 Constitution summary
- Textbooks
- Notebooks and pens
#### **Lesson Outline:**
1. **Introduction (10 minutes)**
- Greet the students and take attendance.
- Begin with a brief discussion on constitutions and their importance in a country’s governance.
- Ask students if they know what a constitution is and why it is essential.
- Introduce the topic for the day: The 1979 Constitution of Nigeria.
2. **Historical Context (10 minutes)**
- Provide a brief background on the political situation in Nigeria that led to the creation of the 1979 Constitution.
- Discuss the transition from military to civilian rule and the role of the Constitution in this transition.
- Highlight key figures involved in the drafting and adoption of the 1979 Constitution.
3. **Main Features of the 1979 Constitution (15 minutes)**
- Present and explain the main features of the 1979 Constitution:
- Introduction of the presidential system of government.
- Federal structure consisting of federal, state, and local governments.
- Separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
- Fundamental human rights provisions.
- Use the projector/laptop to show a visual summary of these features.
4. **Impact on Governance (10 minutes)**
- Discuss how the 1979 Constitution impacted Nigeria’s governance:
- Improvement in democratic processes.
- Establishment of clearer roles for governmental branches.
- Emphasis on adherence to the rule of law.
- Provide examples of how the Constitution influenced specific events or policies.
5. **Strengths and Weaknesses (10 minutes)**
- Engage the students in a discussion about the strengths of the 1979 Constitution, such as promoting democracy and protecting human rights.
- Discuss the weaknesses, including areas that lacked clarity and led to ambiguities in governance.
- Encourage students to think critically about how these strengths and weaknesses may have affected Nigeria's development.
6. **Conclusion and Q&A (5 minutes)**
- Summarize the key points covered in the lesson.
- Open the floor for any questions or comments from the students.
- Provide additional insights or clarifications as needed.
7. **Assignment/Homework (5 minutes)**
- Assign students to write a short essay on how the 1979 Constitution has influenced modern Nigeria.
- Distribute handouts summarizing the lesson for further study.
#### **Assessment:**
- Participation in class discussions.
- Quality and insightfulness of the essay assignment.
- Ability to recall and explain key features of the 1979 Constitution during the Q&A session.
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**Teacher's Reflection:**
- Were the students engaged and participative?
- Did the lesson meet the objectives?
- What could be improved in future lessons on similar topics?
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This lesson plan aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the 1979 Constitution of Nigeria, while encouraging critical thinking and active participation.