Sure, here is an outline for a lesson plan on "Oliver Lyttleton's Constitution of 1954" for Senior Secondary 2 students studying Government:
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### Lesson Plan: Oliver Lyttleton's Constitution of 1954
**Grade Level:** Senior Secondary 2
**Subject:** Government
**Duration:** 60 minutes
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**Objectives:**
1. Students will understand the background and context leading to the creation of Oliver Lyttleton's Constitution of 1954.
2. Students will identify the key provisions and features of the 1954 Constitution.
3. Students will evaluate the significance and impact of the 1954 Constitution on Nigerian politics.
**Materials:**
- Whiteboard and markers
- Projector and computer for PowerPoint presentation
- Copies of excerpts from Oliver Lyttleton's Constitution of 1954 (one per student)
- Handouts with key points and discussion questions
- Supplemental reading materials (optional)
**Preparation:**
- Prepare a brief PowerPoint presentation outlining key points of the 1954 Constitution.
- Create handouts with excerpts from the Constitution and discussion questions.
- Arrange the classroom for group discussions.
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**Lesson Activities:**
**1. Introduction (10 minutes)**
- Begin with a brief recap of the colonial period and the constitutional developments in Nigeria leading up to 1954.
- Introduce Oliver Lyttleton as the British Secretary of State for the Colonies responsible for the 1954 Constitution.
- Present the learning objectives for the lesson.
**2. Presentation (15 minutes)**
- Use the PowerPoint presentation to provide an overview of Oliver Lyttleton’s Constitution.
- Explain the context: Post-World War II decolonization, growing nationalist movements in Nigeria, and pressure for self-governance.
- Highlight key features:
- Introduction of federal structure.
- Division of Nigeria into three regions – Northern Region, Western Region, and Eastern Region with Lagos as the Federal Territory.
- Provisions for Regional Assemblies and Federal Legislative Council.
- Greater Nigerian participation in the legislative process.
- Discuss the implications for Nigerian political life and self-governance.
**3. Group Activity (15 minutes)**
- Divide students into small groups and hand out copies of the excerpts from the 1954 Constitution.
- Give groups discussion questions, such as:
- What were the major changes introduced by the 1954 Constitution?
- How did the federal structure affect the governance of Nigeria?
- What were the strengths and weaknesses of the 1954 Constitution?
- Allow groups to discuss these questions and prepare their responses.
**4. Group Presentations and Class Discussion (15 minutes)**
- Have each group present their findings to the class.
- Facilitate a class discussion on the presentations:
- Encourage students to ask questions and engage with each other’s perspectives.
- Guide discussion towards understanding the broader implications for Nigeria’s move towards independence.
**5. Conclusion (5 minutes)**
- Summarize the key points from the lesson.
- Highlight the significance of Oliver Lyttleton’s Constitution in Nigeria's path to independence.
- Assign a short reflective essay on how the 1954 Constitution impacted Nigeria's political development and what lessons can be learned from it.
**6. Homework/Assignment (Optional)**
- Ask students to research and write a 1-2 page essay on the challenges and successes of implementing federal structures in post-colonial states, using Nigeria as a case study.
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**Assessment:**
- Participation in group discussions and presentations.
- Reflective essays on the impact of the 1954 Constitution.
- Possible quiz on key facts and implications of the Constitution during the next class.
**Resources:**
- Excerpts from Oliver Lyttleton's Constitution of 1954.
- Relevant sections from textbooks and academic articles on Nigerian constitutional history.
- Online resources and historical documents related to Nigeria's constitutional development.
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