### Lesson Plan for Senior Secondary 2: McPherson's Constitution of 1951
**Subject**: Government
**Grade Level**: Senior Secondary 2
**Duration**: 70 minutes
**Topic**: McPherson's Constitution of 1951
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**Lesson Objectives**:
1. **Identify** the key features of McPherson's Constitution of 1951.
2. **Explain** the historical context and significance of the McPherson Constitution.
3. **Evaluate** the impact of McPherson's Constitution on Nigerian governance.
4. **Analyze** the strengths and weaknesses of McPherson's Constitution.
**Materials Needed**:
- Whiteboard and markers
- Projector and computer
- Printed copies of excerpts from McPherson's Constitution
- Chart paper and markers
- Internet access for research
**Prior Knowledge**:
Students should have a basic understanding of British colonial rule in Nigeria and the earlier constitutional developments (e.g., the Clifford Constitution of 1922 and the Richards Constitution of 1946).
**Lesson Activities**:
### Introduction (10 minutes)
1. **Welcome and Objective Setting**:
- Greet students and briefly discuss the importance of studying Nigerian constitutional history.
- State the learning objectives for the session.
2. **Warm-Up Activity**:
- Pose a question to the class: "What do you think are the essential elements of a good constitution?" Write students' responses on the whiteboard.
### Direct Instruction (20 minutes)
1. **Historical Context**:
- Provide a brief lecture on the period leading up to the McPherson Constitution, noting key political, social, and economic factors.
- Highlight the limitations of the Richards Constitution of 1946 and the demand for a more inclusive constitution.
2. **Features of McPherson's Constitution**:
- Use a slide presentation to outline the main features:
- Introduction of a federal system with regional autonomy.
- Establishment of regional legislatures.
- Creation of a central legislative body.
- Roles and responsibilities of regional and central governments.
- Introduction of the idea of direct elections.
3. **Importance and Impact**:
- Discuss the importance of the McPherson Constitution in the evolution of Nigerian governance.
- Explain how it laid the groundwork for future constitutional developments and greater political participation.
### Guided Practice (15 minutes)
1. **Document Analysis**:
- Distribute printed copies of key excerpts from McPherson's Constitution.
- Divide students into small groups and assign each group specific excerpts to analyze.
- Instruct each group to identify the main ideas and significant changes introduced by the constitution.
2. **Group Presentations**:
- Allow each group to present their findings to the class.
- Facilitate a brief discussion after each presentation to clarify and expand on key points.
### Independent Practice (15 minutes)
1. **Strengths and Weaknesses**:
- Give students a chart paper and markers.
- Instruct them to list the strengths and weaknesses of McPherson's Constitution based on the class discussion and their own insights.
- Encourage them to use historical examples to support their points.
### Conclusion (10 minutes)
1. **Summary**:
- Recap the main features and significance of McPherson’s Constitution.
- Highlight the progress made and the limitations that remained in the constitutional development of Nigeria.
2. **Q&A Session**:
- Open the floor for any questions or comments from students.
- Provide clarifications and additional information as needed.
### Homework/Extension Activity:
Ask students to write a short essay (2-3 paragraphs) on the following topic:
- "How did McPherson's Constitution of 1951 pave the way for future constitutional changes in Nigeria?"
Students can also research how the McPherson Constitution influenced the subsequent Lyttleton Constitution of 1954.
**Assessment**:
- Participation in group discussions and presentations.
- Analysis of document excerpts.
- Chart of strengths and weaknesses.
- Quality and insightfulness of the homework essay.
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