Nigeria Lesson Plan

by Anne Hoeper and Dan Walsh

What kind of community problems (physical and human) do Nigerians deal with on a daily basis?

To be aware of building materials used in Nigeria and understand why they are used.

Standard 4: The geographically informed person knows and understands the physical and human characteristics of place.
Standard 12: The geographically informed person knows and understands the processes, patterns, and functions of human settlement.
Standard 15: The geographically informed person knows and understands how physical systems affect human systems.

THEMES

Place: Jos / Ibadan
Human Environment Interaction: Home building
Movement: Building materials
Region: Northern and Southern Nigeria

Bodily/Kinesthetic
Visual/Spatial
Logical/Mathematical
Naturalist

ACTIVITY: Approximately 1 class period

Begin by dividing students up into groups of 3 to 4.

Each group will be given a sheet of cardboard or construction paper (approx. 12" x 12") on which to build their Nigerian houses.

On the cardboard pieces or construction paper the instructor will draw in a small stream or river so that all the "compounds" can be put together to form a village. Then there will be a discussion of problems that may develop due to where each group chose to place their items such as garbage.

Provide the materials listed above and allow the groups to choose the materials that they wish to use to construct their compound. Each group will be asked to provide the following components to their housing compound.

1) House approximately 5" in diameter or length.
2) Well for drawing water.
3) Fence(s).
4) List animals and/or crops to be grown, show where these things would be placed on their compound.
5) Trash disposal area.

DISCUSSION: Approximately 1 class period

1) Discuss some of the problems/successes that occurred during the building process and the materials used to build their compound.
2) Share pictures showing various types of houses.
3) Discuss Tiv and Rubuka compounds.
4) How often are roofs replaced?
5) How often do walls need to be replaced or repaired?
6) Why is there an absence of wood as a building material?
7) Termites are a major problem.
8) Why does it take so long to build a house? No loans are available so they build what they can until they can afford more materials.
9) Discuss the process in building a school.
10) Compare and contrast Nigerian homes with the homes where you live.

Once this discussion is complete (or the next class period) put together the cardboard pieces and begin a new discussion about some of the problems that would develop in a community like the one the students have created.

1) What would the water in the stream and your well be like? Issues like laundry, waste water, bathing, cooking, drinking water, animals and crop irrigation.
2) What of problems could occur between you and your neighbors?

Examples: Water usage, placement of trash disposal area, placement of fences, grazing animals, and others.

3) Are there things on your compound that could have been shared with your neighbors.
4) How could the community work together to improve the living conditions for all.
5) Could you live in these conditions? Give specific examples or explanation.

ASSESSMENTS

Write a story about the daily life in your compound. Include 5 details from the activity or discussion in your paper.
What did you learn from this activity and how can you apply it to your daily life? Use examples from the activity or discussion.
Imagine you were planning a compound. What would you do differently to make the new compound more environmentally sound and improve living conditions for all members?
Develop a speech comparing your living conditions and the Nigerian model that was shown in the activity.
Read a book or an article on architecture and explain how you could make a compound more efficient.

PHOTOGRAPHS
TO ACCOMPANY THIS LESSON