JSS1 English Lesson Notes for First Term

JSS1 English Lesson Notes for First Term

WEEK ONE

Topic: Organs of Speech

Content

The organs of speech are parts of the human body involved in producing speech. The lungs act as the main power source, supplying the airflow needed for speech. When we talk, we breathe normally, and as air exits the lungs through the narrow windpipe, sounds are generated.

We utilize various parts of the body to create different speech sounds, including the vocal cords, velum, hard palate, alveolar ridge, teeth, lips, and tongue, all as the airstream moves out from the lungs. During the creation of speech sounds, a specialized organ called the larynx plays a role in modifying these sounds. When the vocal cords are aligned edge to edge, the glottis narrows, causing the vocal cords to vibrate as air passes through, producing voiced sounds. In contrast, when the vocal cords are separated, air flows easily without causing vibration, resulting in voiceless sounds. All English vowels are voiced, whereas consonants can be either voiced or voiceless.

Evaluation Questions:

1. Can you list all the organs involved in speech production?
2. What occurs when the vocal cords are aligned during sound production?
3. What happens when the vocal cords are apart?

Reading Assignment:

• Topic: Organs of Speech
• Reference: Oral English for Schools and Colleges, Pages 1, 2, & 3

Read Also: SS1 English Lesson Plan and Notes- First Term

Topic: Parts of Speech: Noun (Functions)

Content: Nouns

A noun is perhaps the most fundamental part of speech, identifying a person, animal, place, thing, or idea. We’ll explore what defines a noun and offer examples, along with tips for using nouns effectively in sentences.

What is a Noun?

A noun denotes a person, animal, place, thing, or idea. The word ‘noun’ comes from the Latin term “nomen,” meaning “name.” Every language has nouns. As you read the following explanations, think of words that might fit into each category.

• Person: Refers to a person by name, gender, title, or class.
• Animal: Refers to an animal by name, species, gender, or class.
• Place: Refers to a location by name, physical setting, or general area.
• Thing: Refers to a tangible item, whether it exists now, will exist, or existed before.
• Idea: Refers to an intangible concept, whether realistic, practical, or imaginary.

Identifying a Noun in a Sentence

When first learning about parts of speech, recognizing different words can seem difficult, but it becomes easier with practice. Below are some examples with nouns highlighted.

• Person: He is the person to see.
• Person: John started to run.
• Person: Plato was an influential Greek philosopher.
• Animal: The dog barked at the cat.
• Animal: Elephants never forget.
• Animal: Sophie is my favorite horse.
• Place: The restaurant is open.
• Place: Let’s go to the beach.
• Place: Harvard and Yale are two famous universities.
• Thing: Throw the ball.
• Thing: Please close the door and lock it.
• Idea: Follow the rules.
• Idea: The theory of relativity is an important concept.

Types of Nouns

1. Common Noun: Refers to general people or things (e.g., boy, country, bridge, day).
2. Proper Noun: Names a specific person, place, or thing, always capitalized (e.g., Steven, Africa, London).
3. Concrete Noun: Names things that physically exist and can be sensed (e.g., dog, coffee, tree).
4. Abstract Noun: Names intangible concepts, qualities, or conditions (e.g., truth, danger, happiness).
5. Collective Nouns: Refer to groups (e.g., audience, family, team). In American English, these nouns are usually singular (e.g., The family was at the table), while in British English, they can be singular or plural (e.g., The family were at the table).

Evaluation Questions:

1. Identify the nouns in the following sentences:
   • Sharon admires her grandfather (Person)
   • Look! There’s the Eiffel Tower (Place)
   • The lamp sits on a table next to the sofa (Thing)
   • Money doesn’t grow on trees (Thing)
   • My mother looks a lot like my grandmother, and I look very much like them (Person)
   • Love is a wonderful emotion (Idea)

Reading Assignment:

• Topic: Nouns
• Reference: English Grammar for Junior Secondary Schools, Pages 8-10

Topic: Comprehension/Vocabulary Development

Content: Unit 1 – The Family

Titi introduces us to herself and her friend, Anochie. Both live in Ughelli and attend the same Grammar School in Erhiero. They are in Form 1. Titi’s father works as a mechanic, while her mother is a homemaker. Anochie’s father is a teacher, and his mother is a nurse.

Vocabulary Terms:

• Father: Male parent of a child.
• Mother: Female parent of a child.
• Daughter: A female child.
• Son: A male child.
• Brother: A male sibling.
• Sister: A female sibling.

Evaluation:

• Practice questions on page 21

Reading Assignment:

• Vocabulary – Family Relationships
• Reference: Effective English for J.S.S. 1, Pages 24 and 25

Reading Assignment: Study Skills

• Reference: Effective English for J.S.S 1

Topic: Composition Writing

Content: Introduction to Composition Writing

Writing a composition involves a process, starting with deciding the type of composition you will write. Typically, you’ll have a main idea or goal to communicate, and this purpose will guide the type of discourse you choose.

Types of Composition Writing

Understanding the different types of essays depends on the writer’s intention. Does the writer want to share a personal experience, describe something, explain an issue, or persuade the reader to agree with a viewpoint? The four main types of essays address these goals:

1. Narrative Essay: Tells a story or describes events, often resembling a short story.
   • Characteristics: Engaging beginning, chronological order, past tense, sequential presentation, avoids unnecessary details.
2. Descriptive Essay: Requires describing an object, person, animal, incident, or scene.
   • Characteristics: Orderly presentation, clear expression, use of simple language, vivid descriptions using adjectives.
3. Argumentative Essay: Presents a topic to persuade readers to agree with the writer’s viewpoint.
   • Characteristics: Convincing argument, clear and logical ideas, separation of pros and cons, strongest points last, concise language.
4. Expository Essay: Explains or defines a topic, using facts, statistics, and examples.
   • Characteristics: Informative content, fact-based, no personal emotions, clear explanations.

Evaluation Questions:

1. Provide a brief explanation of each essay type:
   • Narrative Essay
   • Descriptive Essay
   • Argumentative Essay
   • Expository Essay

Reading Assignment:

• Topic: Types of Essays
• Reference: English Language Communication Skills, Pages 103-108

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