### Lesson Plan: Government for Senior Secondary 2
#### Topic: The Republican Constitution of 1963
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#### Grade Level:
Senior Secondary 2 (SS2)
#### Duration:
80 minutes
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#### Learning Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Understand the historical context leading to the adoption of the 1963 constitution.
2. Explain the key features of the Republican Constitution of 1963.
3. Analyze the significance of the 1963 constitution in Nigeria's political development.
4. Discuss the implications of the constitution for governance and federalism in Nigeria.
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#### Materials Needed:
1. Whiteboard and markers
2. Projector and laptop
3. Handouts with excerpts from the 1963 Constitution
4. PowerPoint presentation
5. Educational video on Nigeria's journey to becoming a republic
6. Notebooks and pens
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#### Lesson Outline:
**Introduction (10 minutes)**
1. **Greeting and Roll Call (2 minutes)**
- Warmly welcome students and take attendance.
2. **Hook/Engage (3 minutes)**
- Begin with a brief interactive discussion: "What do you understand by a 'republic' and how does it differ from other forms of government like monarchy or colonial rule?"
3. **Objective Sharing (5 minutes)**
- Clearly articulate the lesson objectives and explain the importance of the 1963 Constitution in Nigeria's history.
**Development (40 minutes)**
4. **Historical Context (10 minutes)**
- Present an overview of Nigeria's colonial history, the independence in 1960, and the events leading up to the adoption of the Republican Constitution in 1963.
- Show a short educational video (5 minutes) highlighting key historical moments.
5. **Key Features of the 1963 Constitution (15 minutes)**
- Use a PowerPoint presentation to break down the main features, including:
- Abolition of the Monarchy and establishment of the Republic
- Roles and powers of the President
- Structure of the federal government
- judiciary system
- Human rights provisions
6. **Significance and Impact (15 minutes)**
- Discuss the constitution's impact on:
- Federalism and state autonomy
- Governance and political stability
- Nigeria's development as an independent republic
**Application (20 minutes)**
7. **Group Activity (20 minutes)**
- Divide students into small groups and provide each group with a handout containing excerpts of the 1963 Constitution.
- Assign each group to identify and discuss one specific feature or provision of the constitution.
- Each group will present their findings to the class, focusing on the significance and implications of their assigned feature.
**Conclusion (10 minutes)**
8. **Class Discussion (5 minutes)**
- Facilitate a whole-class discussion on what stood out to them about the 1963 Constitution and its relevance today.
9. **Recap and Questions (3 minutes)**
- Summarize the key points discussed in the lesson.
- Allow students to ask questions to clarify any confusions.
10. **Homework Assignment (2 minutes)**
- Assign students to write a short essay (1-2 pages) on "The Long-term Impact of the 1963 Republican Constitution on Nigeria's Political System."
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#### Assessment:
1. **Participation** in class discussions and group activities.
2. **Presentations** by groups on their assigned features of the 1963 Constitution.
3. **Homework Essay** to evaluate individual understanding and critical thinking.
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#### Reflection:
- After the class, reflect on students' engagement and understanding. Note areas where students excelled and aspects that may require further clarification in future lessons.
- Consider using formative assessment data to guide future instruction on related topics.
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End of Lesson Plan