Comprehension: The Yoruba Family – JSS1 English Lesson Note (Second Term)

Comprehension is the skill of reading a passage and understanding what it says. A descriptive passage tells the reader what a person, place or group is like. In this lesson, students read a description of the Yoruba family, study its new words and use it to answer questions.

Aim of the lesson

To understand a description and learn from it.

Behavioural objectives

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

• read a short description silently and aloud with understanding;
• state the main idea of each paragraph;
• explain the meaning of new words from the passage;
• answer questions on the passage in full sentences.

Passage: the Yoruba family

Read the passage below with the class, first silently and then aloud. If your class textbook has a passage on the Yoruba family, it can be used for extra practice.

The Yoruba people live mainly in the south-western part of Nigeria. A Yoruba family is usually large. It includes the father, the mother and the children, and often the grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins. Many relatives live in the same compound, so a child grows up with many people around.

Respect for elders is very important. In the morning, a young person greets older people before doing anything else. A boy may lie down flat to greet an elder, and a girl may kneel.

The oldest man in the compound is usually the head. He settles quarrels and gives advice. Mothers and aunts cook, while children run errands, sweep the compound and fetch water. When a baby is born, the whole family gathers for the naming ceremony. Relatives bring gifts and pray for the child. Family members also help one another when someone is sick or in need.

What is the main idea of each paragraph?

• Paragraph 1: the Yoruba family is large, and many relatives live together.
• Paragraph 2: young people show respect to elders, especially by greeting them.
• Paragraph 3: each person has a duty in the family, the family gathers to welcome a new baby at the naming ceremony, and members help one another in times of need.

What are the new words in the passage?

How do we answer comprehension questions?

1. Read the passage once for the general idea.
2. Read the questions.
3. Read the passage again and underline the lines that answer each question.
4. Write the answer in a full sentence, using your own words where you can.
5. Read your answers and check spelling and punctuation.

Evaluation

Read the passage again. Then answer these questions.

1. In which part of Nigeria do the Yoruba mainly live?
2. Who is usually the head of the compound?
3. What does a young person do first in the morning?
4. What does the word settles mean in the passage? (a) breaks (b) ends (c) starts (d) forgets
5. True or false: a Yoruba child grows up with few people around.

Answer key for teachers

1. The south-western part of Nigeria.
2. The oldest man in the compound.
3. He or she greets older people.
4. (b) ends
5. False. Many relatives live in the same compound.

Assignment

1. What does the word relatives mean?
2. What is an errand?
3. Which word means “an area with several houses or rooms where a family lives”? Choose from: ceremony, compound, advice.
4. According to the passage, who cook in the family, apart from the mothers?

Answer key for teachers

1. People who belong to the same family.
2. A short trip to do a job for someone.
3. compound
4. Aunts.