Lesson Plan for Senior Secondary 2 - Government - The Second Republican Constitution Of 1979

## Lesson Plan: The Second Republican Constitution of 1979 ### Subject: Government ### Grade: Senior Secondary 2 ### Duration: 90 minutes ### Topic: The Second Republican Constitution of 1979 #### Objectives: By the end of the lesson, students will be able to: 1. Explain the historical context that led to the creation of the Second Republican Constitution of 1979. 2. Identify the main features of the 1979 Constitution. 3. Understand the implications and significance of the Constitution for Nigeria's political landscape. 4. Critically analyze the successes and shortcomings of the 1979 Constitution. #### Materials Needed: - Textbook: "Nigerian Government and Politics" - Projector and screen for video clips - Copies of the 1979 Constitution (excerpts) - Whiteboard and markers - Handouts with key points and questions for group discussion #### Lesson Outline: 1. **Introduction (15 minutes)** - Greeting and roll call. - Brief recap of the previous lesson. - Introduction to today's topic: The Second Republican Constitution of 1979. - Explain the relevance of the Constitution in shaping modern Nigerian politics. 2. **Historical Context (15 minutes)** - Brief overview of Nigeria’s political history leading up to the Second Republic. - Discuss the events that led to the drafting of the 1979 Constitution. - Video clip presentation on Nigeria's journey to the Second Republic. 3. **Main Features of the 1979 Constitution (20 minutes)** - Structure of the government: Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary. - Introduction of the Presidential System. - Basic human rights and fundamental freedoms. - State and federal relationships. - Q&A session to clarify doubts. 4. **Group Activity: Analyzing the Constitution (20 minutes)** - Divide students into small groups. - Distribute handouts with excerpts from the 1979 Constitution. - Assign each group a section to analyze (e.g., Executive powers, Legislative powers, Judicial powers, Fundamental rights). - Groups will present their analysis focusing on the implications and significance of their assigned sections. 5. **Critical Analysis Discussion (15 minutes)** - Facilitate a class discussion on the overall impact of the 1979 Constitution. - Encourage students to identify both the successes and shortcomings. - Discuss the transition from the Second Republic to subsequent political developments. 6. **Conclusion and Homework (5 minutes)** - Summarize the key points covered in the lesson. - Answer any remaining questions from students. - Assign homework: Write a short essay on the importance of the 1979 Constitution in the context of Nigeria's democratic development. ### Assessment: - Participation in group activity and discussion. - Quality of analysis during group presentations. - Homework essay evaluating the significance of the 1979 Constitution. ### Additional Notes: - Encourage students to bring up current events or historical parallels they find relevant. - Make it clear that critical thinking and individual viewpoints are highly valued. - Offer additional support for students who may need help understanding complex legal terms and concepts. --- This lesson plan provides a comprehensive approach to understanding the Second Republican Constitution of 1979, engaging students through a mix of direct instruction, multimedia, and interactive activities.