The Primary 2 English First Term Scheme of Work provides a clear and structured weekly plan that promotes effective English language instruction in Nigerian schools. Aligned with the NERDC curriculum, the scheme ensures that pupils improve their phonics, vocabulary, reading, writing, comprehension, and listening skills through consistent practice and age-appropriate lessons.
Teachers follow the weekly breakdown to introduce foundational English topics. In the early weeks, they focus on phonics, helping pupils recognize and pronounce sounds such as /a/, /b/, /ai/, and more. These phonics lessons support early reading skills and enable pupils to decode new words confidently. Educators also guide learners in reading picture-based materials, allowing children to connect images with corresponding words and actions.
As the term progresses, pupils begin writing two- and three-letter words, expanding their vocabulary and improving spelling. Teachers introduce sentence formation gradually, using simple structures to develop clear communication skills. Comprehension exercises encourage pupils to read short texts, answer questions, and understand basic storylines, improving both reading fluency and critical thinking.
Parents who engage with the scheme support their children by reviewing lessons at home, encouraging reading aloud, and reinforcing writing practice. This collaboration between school and home strengthens language development.
By the end of the term, pupils build strong language foundations. They listen actively, read clearly, and express ideas with confidence. Teachers assess progress through classwork, spelling tests, dictation, and reading comprehension tasks. The scheme also prepares pupils for national literacy assessments by ensuring that all learning objectives are covered systematically.
The Primary 2 English First Term Scheme of Work remains an essential teaching and learning tool. It supports curriculum consistency, enhances language development, and prepares young learners for future academic success in reading, writing, and oral communication across Nigerian classrooms.
Scheme of Work Table – Week 1 to Week 12
| Week | Focus Area | Learning Objectives |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phonics: /a/, /a:/; Phonemic awareness; Vocabulary & Comprehension; Picture reading | Identify and pronounce vowel sounds; use songs to detect sounds; define and apply new words; interpret pictures |
| 2 | Comprehension (passages); Picture reading commands | Summarize oral texts; analyze main ideas; dramatize passages; interpret picture scenes |
| 3 | Supplementary reading & listening; Phonics /b/, /d/; Writing letters a,b,c | Read stories, discuss lessons, relate events; produce consonant sounds; write letters and songs |
| 4 | Vocabulary: synonyms/antonyms; Comprehension passage; Phonics consonants; Picture reading classroom | Explain synonyms/antonyms; discuss causes/effects; sequence sounds; describe classroom images |
| 5 | Introduction to colour vocab; Word differentiation; Phonics & consonant sounds | Name primary colours; compare words like feel/fill; identify and apply consonant sounds |
| 6 | Poetry reading; Fiction vs Non-fiction; Writing process | Read and relate poems; identify genres; explain and apply writing steps |
| 7 | Mid-term tests, open day, break, and homework | Evaluate all Term 1 English skills; showcase lessons |
| 8 | Comprehension on drug abuse; Play reading; Vocabulary; Phonics /ai/; Colour matching | Analyze causes/effects; read plays; use new words; blend /ai/ sounds; match colours |
| 9 | Vocabulary build; Poetry rhymes and rhyming; Spelling 3-letter words | Analyze new words; create rhyming poems; spell basic CVC words |
| 10 | Revision skills (listening, writing, phonics) | Summarize stories; form two-letter words; match sounds; compose short poems |
| 11 | Revision | Reinforce all English lessons from Weeks 1–10 |
| 12 | Examination | Assess pupils’ skills in phonics, reading, writing, vocab, and comprehension |
Importance of the Scheme
The Primary 2 English First Term Scheme of Work plays a vital role in ensuring effective English language instruction across Nigerian schools. It aligns directly with the national English curriculum prescribed by the NERDC, offering a consistent and standardized learning experience. Through this structured plan, teachers can deliver lessons that gradually build pupils’ phonics, reading, writing, and comprehension abilities week by week. The scheme promotes early literacy by focusing on essential language components in a logical and developmental sequence. It also lays a solid foundation for future English performance in standardized exams like WAEC and NECO by introducing core skills early. Educators use the scheme to monitor and evaluate pupils’ weekly progress, making it easier to identify learning gaps and provide timely support. Parents can also follow along with their child’s learning, reinforcing classroom teaching at home. Overall, the scheme strengthens pupils’ vocabulary, reading fluency, sentence construction, and understanding of texts, skills that are crucial to academic success in English Language and across other subjects.
How to Use the Scheme
Teachers should align their weekly lesson plans with the objectives stated in the Primary 2 English First Term Scheme of Work. By using phonics songs, engaging stories, flashcards, and visual aids such as letter charts and illustrated storybooks, they can make each lesson more interactive and enjoyable. After delivering each topic, teachers should provide oral reading practice, simple writing exercises, and structured classroom activities that reinforce key concepts like two-letter and three-letter words, sentence formation, and word meaning. Creating continuous assessment questions from the scheme will help track pupil progress consistently throughout the term.
Parents also have a vital role in supporting their child’s language development. At home, they should read aloud with their children and ask basic comprehension questions to improve understanding. Practicing phonics sounds, spelling drills, and short writing tasks can strengthen a child’s grasp of reading and writing. Parents can further support learning by encouraging vocabulary games, drawing and labeling objects, identifying letters, and naming colors in English. These home-based activities make language learning fun and help children remember key terms from class.
Pupils must participate actively in all learning activities. During lessons, they should sing along to phonics songs, repeat sounds loudly, and read aloud when called upon. They should ask questions when they don’t understand something and complete writing tasks with effort. Drawing letters, writing simple words, forming short sentences, and identifying rhyming words all build confidence in spelling and sentence construction.
When teachers, parents, and pupils consistently follow the Primary 2 English Scheme of Work, children gain foundational skills in phonics, reading fluency, comprehension, and writing. This collaboration prepares them for long-term literacy success in primary school and beyond.
Conclusion
The Primary 2 English First Term Scheme of Work provides a solid foundation for structured literacy instruction in Nigerian schools. It outlines a clear weekly guide that helps teachers deliver phonics, vocabulary, reading, and writing lessons with confidence. By following this NERDC-approved curriculum, educators create consistent learning experiences across classrooms, helping pupils develop early literacy skills that support long-term academic performance.
Parents who engage with the scheme at home also contribute significantly to their child’s progress. Simple activities such as phonics drills, shared reading, and basic writing tasks reinforce classroom learning. These efforts support the development of comprehension, listening, and spoken English, which are essential for language fluency.
Pupils benefit most when all learning activities, both at home and in school, stay aligned with the scheme. Active participation in phonics songs, story reading, spelling, and sentence writing builds confidence and fluency. Over time, children grow more comfortable with English, gaining the ability to express themselves through both speech and writing.
Ultimately, the Primary 2 English Scheme of Work acts as a roadmap for teachers, a support tool for parents, and a growth path for pupils. It ensures that learning progresses in an organized, measurable way. With each week building upon the last, pupils steadily improve their understanding of the English language. This early mastery of phonics, comprehension, and vocabulary lays the groundwork for future success in NECO and WAEC English exams. When used consistently, the scheme promotes literacy achievement and helps every child develop the communication skills needed to thrive in primary school and beyond.