**Lesson Plan: The 1966 Coup D'état and the Nigerian Civil War**
**Grade Level:** Senior Secondary 2 (SS2)
**Subject:** History
**Duration:** 60 minutes
**Lesson Objectives:**
1. Students will understand the key events leading up to the 1966 coup d'état in Nigeria.
2. Students will analyze the causes and consequences of the coup.
3. Students will examine the impact of the Nigerian Civil War on the country's socio-political landscape.
4. Students will develop critical thinking skills through group discussions and analysis activities.
**Materials Needed:**
- Whiteboard and markers
- Projector and PowerPoint slides
- Maps of Nigeria
- Handouts with timelines and key facts
- Videos/documentaries related to the coup and civil war
- Primary source documents (e.g., speeches, letters, news articles)
- Worksheets for group activities
- Notebooks and pens
**Lesson Plan Outline:**
**Introduction (10 minutes):**
1. **Hook:** Begin with a brief video clip or a powerful quote from a key figure involved in the coup or civil war.
2. **Objective Introduction:** State the objectives of the lesson and outline what students will be learning about.
3. **Background Information:** Provide a brief overview of Nigeria's political landscape post-independence leading to 1966.
**Direct Instruction (20 minutes):**
1. **Lecture and Discussion:** Use PowerPoint slides to present key information on:
- The political climate in Nigeria before 1966.
- Significant figures involved in the coup, including Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi and Major Kaduna Nzeogwu.
- The events of the January 15, 1966 coup and its immediate aftermath.
- The counter-coup in July 1966 led by Lt. Colonel Murtala Muhammed and its implications.
- The ethnic and regional tensions that escalated into the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970).
2. **Map Activity:** Show a map of Nigeria to help students understand the regional divisions and the areas controlled by different factions.
**Group Activity (15 minutes):**
1. **Primary Source Analysis:** Divide students into small groups and provide each group with a primary source document related to the coup or civil war.
2. **Guided Questions:** Each group should analyze their document using guided questions, such as:
- What is the main idea of the document?
- Who is the author, and what perspective do they represent?
- How does this document help us understand the causes or impact of the coup/civil war?
3. **Group Presentations:** Have each group present their findings to the class.
**Individual Activity (10 minutes):**
1. **Reflective Writing:** Ask students to write a short essay on one of the following prompts:
- How did ethnic tensions contribute to the events of 1966 and the subsequent civil war?
- What were the socio-political consequences of the Nigerian Civil War for the country?
**Conclusion (5 minutes):**
1. **Review Key Points:** Summarize the main points covered in the lesson.
2. **Q&A:** Allow students to ask any final questions.
3. **Preview Next Lesson:** Give a brief overview of what the next history lesson will cover.
**Homework Assignment:**
- Read a selected chapter or articles on the Nigerian Civil War.
- Prepare a short presentation or write an article on the role of an influential figure from the period.
**Assessment:**
- Participation in group discussions and activities.
- Quality and depth of analysis in the primary source activity.
- Clarity and insightfulness of the reflective writing exercise.
- Comprehension demonstrated in the homework assignment.
**Differentiation:**
- Provide additional reading materials for advanced students.
- Use visual aids and simplified texts for students who need more support.
- Allow flexibility in how students present their group findings (e.g., visual charts, oral presentations).
This lesson plan aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the 1966 coup d'état and the Nigerian Civil War, encouraging them to engage critically with historical events and their lasting impacts.