Lesson Notes: English Language for JSS 1 (Grade 7)

Subject: English Language
Class: JSS 1
Term: Second Term
Topic: Contrasting Diphthongs, Adverbials, Fishing Vocabulary, and School Rules.

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1. Phonology: Contrasting Diphthongs

What is a Diphthong?
A diphthong is a "gliding vowel." It is a sound formed by the combination of two vowels in a single syllable, where the sound begins as one vowel and moves toward another.

Contrasting /eɪ/ and /aɪ/

• /eɪ/ (The "A" sound): As in "Gate" or "Day."
• /aɪ/ (The "I" sound): As in "Kite" or "My."

Contrasting /əʊ/ and /aʊ/

• /əʊ/ (The "O" sound): As in "Go" or "Boat."
• /aʊ/ (The "Ow" sound): As in "Now" or "House."

Illustration: Imagine your mouth is a sliding board. For /eɪ/, your tongue starts mid-high and slides up. For /aɪ/, your mouth starts wide open and closes slightly as the tongue moves up.

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2. Grammar: Adverbials

Definition: An adverbial is a word or group of words (phrase) that functions like an adverb. It tells us more about a verb (how, when, where, or why an action happens).

Types of Adverbials

1. Adverbial of Manner: Tells us how something is done.
   • Example: The student wrote neatly.
2. Adverbial of Time: Tells us when something happened.
   • Example: We will go home after the bell rings.
3. Adverbial of Place: Tells us where something is.
   • Example: Put the book on the table.
4. Adverbial of Frequency: Tells us how often.
   • Example: He visits his grandmother every weekend.

Exercises on Adverbials

Part A: Identify the adverbial in the following sentences.

1. The rain fell heavily last night.
2. She danced gracefully at the party.
3. The teacher is standing in front of the class.
4. We shall meet at noon.

Part B: Fill in the blanks with a suitable adverbial.

1. The boy ran ___________ to catch the bus. (Manner)
2. I haven’t seen my friend ___________. (Time)
3. You can find the ball ___________. (Place)

(Answers: 1. fast/quickly, 2. lately/today, 3. under the chair/outside)

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3. Vocabulary: Fishing Words

Nigeria has many coastal and riverine areas (like the Niger Delta or Lagos). Fishing is a vital industry. Here are common words used in fishing:

• Angling: Fishing with a rod, line, and hook.
• Bait: Food (like worms or small fish) used to entice fish onto a hook.
• Canoe/Trawler: Types of boats used for fishing.
• Net: A mesh tool used to catch large numbers of fish (e.g., Cast net, Gill net).
• Hook, Line, and Sinker: The parts of a fishing rod setup.
• Aquaculture: The farming of fish (fish farming).
• Catch: The total amount of fish caught.
• Scale: To remove the hard outer plates from a fish's skin.

Example Sentence: "The fisherman put a worm on his hook as bait, cast his line into the river, and waited for a big catch."

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4. Oral Composition: School Rules

Topic: The Importance of School Rules and Regulations.

When speaking about school rules, you should follow a clear structure: Introduction, Body (the rules), and Conclusion.

Key Points for Discussion:

1. Punctuality: Students must arrive at school before 7:30 AM. Why? It builds discipline.
2. Dress Code: Wearing the correct uniform and being neat. Why? It creates a sense of identity and equality.
3. Respect: Respecting teachers and seniors. Why? It ensures a peaceful learning environment.
4. Prohibited Items: No use of mobile phones or dangerous objects.
5. Cleanliness: Keeping the classroom and compound clean (No littering).

Sample Oral Presentation Outline:

• Greeting: "Good morning, teacher and my fellow students."
• Definition: "Rules are guidelines created to maintain order in our school."
• The Main Point: "One major rule in our school is punctuality. When we come early, we don't miss lessons. Another rule is the prohibition of bullying, which ensures everyone feels safe."
• Conclusion: "In conclusion, school rules are not meant to punish us but to mold us into better citizens for Nigeria's future. Thank you."

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Class Activity

1. Pronunciation: Practice saying: "The boy with the bait caught a fish in the bay." (Identify the diphthongs).
2. Group Work: List five fishing tools you know in your local language and find their English names.
3. Debate: "School rules are too strict." (Discuss in pairs).