Lesson Plan for Senior Secondary 2 - Government - Mcpherson's Constitution Of 1951

### 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 --- **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. ---