Comprehension: Currency – JSS1 English Lesson Note (Second Term)

Comprehension is reading a passage and understanding what it says. In this lesson, students read a short passage about the history of money in Nigeria, learn new words from it, and answer questions on it. The aim is to understand a piece of history. Textbook reference: Effective English, Unit 13, page 169.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• read the passage on currency with understanding;
• explain the meaning of barter, currency, exchange, accepted and payment;
• answer questions on the passage in full sentences;
• state how Nigeria’s money changed over time.

How to teach the passage

1. Ask students what they use to buy things at the market or at school.
2. Read the description in Effective English, Unit 13, page 169, or the passage below, aloud once.
3. Let students read it silently, then read it again in turns.
4. Go through the new words, then answer the questions.

Passage: money in Nigeria long ago

Long before banks and naira notes, people did not use money as we know it today. A farmer in a village might give yams to a fisherman in return for fish. This way of trading is called barter. Barter was not always easy. A man with yams might want cloth, but the cloth seller might not want yams.

Later, people agreed to use certain objects as payment. In many parts of West Africa, including parts of Nigeria, small shells called cowries were used as money. In parts of southern Nigeria, traders also used manillas, which were metal bracelets made of brass or copper.

In time, coins and paper money came into use. Before 1973, Nigeria used the pound. On 1 January 1973, the country changed to the naira and kobo. One naira is equal to 100 kobo.

What do the new words mean?

Evaluation

1. What is barter?
2. Why was barter sometimes difficult?
3. Which of these was a metal bracelet used as money? (A) cowries (B) manillas (C) kobo (D) yams
4. On what date did Nigeria change to the naira and kobo?
5. How many kobo make one naira?

Answer key for teachers

1. Barter is trading goods for other goods without using money.
2. The two people might not want what the other person had.
3. B (manillas).
4. 1 January 1973.
5. 100 kobo.

Assignment

Complete each sentence with a word from the passage.

1. Small shells used as money in West Africa were called ______.
2. Before 1973, Nigeria used the ______.
3. The money used in a country is called its ______.

Answer key for teachers

1. cowries
2. pound
3. currency