National curriculum for grades 7 to 9: language arts · Kinds of sentences according to purpose and their punctuations ... Write examples of the kinds of sentences and punctuate

1

REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

NATIONAL CURRICULUM FOR GRADES 7 TO 9

LANGUAGE ARTS

February 2011

2

MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION

I wish to extend my thanks and appreciation to ECSEL, UNESCO and all our partners for their immense contribution to this important task of revising and

strengthening of the National Curriculum. Special thanks to USAID through LTTP for their funding and technical support in the harmonization or realignment of

the curriculum. We extend sincere thanks and appreciation to the Bureau of Curriculum Development and Textbook Research, the National Curriculum Taskforce,

and the subject specialists from various institutions for the level of professionalism that went into this exercise.

The revision and strengthening of our National Curriculum comes at a time when our nation is faced with the Herculean task or challenge of education

transformation, national reconstruction, recovery and renewal in the aftermath of a devastating civil war. Hence, critical to this national challenge is the rebuilding

of the education sector as Liberians can not achieve the desired socio-economic progress in the absence of a strong, vibrant and productive education and training

system.

The revised national curriculum has two features which include the regular core subject areas of Mathematics, Science, Language Arts and Social Studies and

emphasis is being given to the global challenge of HIV/AIDS, Peace, Citizenship, Human Rights and Environmental education. Secondly, the new curriculum is

developed in line with international standards especially those practiced and enshrined in the curriculum of our sisterly Republic of Nigeria and Ghana who are also

members of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) .

We wish to urge all our education partners including students, teachers, principals, proprietors of schools and members of school boards to use this curriculum in

our schools to enhance quality and relevant instruction and to enable our students to be adequately prepared to take the West African Senior Secondary Certificate

Examinations (WASSCE) come 2013 as envisaged by us in the education sector.

May I conclude by once again saying big thank-you to all those who contributed to make this project a success.

Hon. E. Othello Gongar

MINISTER

3

INTRODUCTION

The General objectives of the seventh grade Language Arts English Curriculum are to provide for the development of those skills, interests and values which will

enable pupils to:

1. Communicate in English both orally and in written composition effectively, for example, speak clearly and write legibly.

2. Listen attentively and with understanding (Comprehension).

3. Read with speed, ease and comprehension through constant drills and exercise.

4. Appreciate good literature and styles of famous authors through constant exposure to different types of literary forms.

5. Understand the social, cultural, linguistic and ethnical environment and observe the role of language as conveyor of the cultural heritage.

6. Develop socially desirable and courteous speech.

7. Integrate the concept of English Language into other content areas.

8. Lay the foundations of creative writing necessary for continuing education.

A student-centred approach is emphasized in this curriculum. This is based on the firm belief that learning becomes more permanent, meaningful, and exciting

when students themselves take ownership of the learning process. Teachers are, therefore, urged to contrive those classroom strategies that would engage

students actively in the teaching/learning process.

4

SEMESTER: ONE

GRADE: 7

PERIOD: I

TOPICS:

1. Kinds of nouns – common, proper, abstract, concrete, etc.

2. Kinds of sentences according to purpose and their punctuations – declarative, imperative, etc.

3. Types of sentences according to structure and their constructions – Simple, compound, complex;

4. Letter writing – friendly, business, invitation;

5. Literary terms – title, setting, character, stanza, rhyme, rhythm, etc.

6. Literature and reading comprehension.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of these topics, students will be able to:

1. State the different kinds of nouns and their examples; e.g. common, abstract, concrete, proper.

2. Write the four kinds of sentences and punctuate them correctly.

3. Identify and write types of sentences; e.g. simple, compound, complex, etc.

4. Write friendly and business letters.

5. State the relations of literary terms to prose or poetry reading.

6. Read and analyze prose or poetry.

OUTCOMES CONTENTS ACTIVITIES MATERIALS/RESOURCES EVALUATION

List and define kinds of

nouns and their usage.

Kinds of nouns – e.g.

common, proper,

abstract, concrete, etc.

Allow students to list

names of persons,

places, things and

ideas.

Subdivide them

under the various

kinds of nouns: E.g.

Common: Man,

woman

Proper: Mr. Kofa, Mrs.

Tamba

Abstract: Love,

happiness

A. Primary Text

Junior English Project for

Secondary Schools (BK-1)

(Pearson)

B. Secondary Texts

Gateway to English For JSS 1

(Pearson)

Ayo Banjo, et al. New Oxford

Secondary English Course for

Junior Secondary Schools –

Book 1 (University Press PLC,

2007)

Essential tasks students

should be able to do:

5

Concrete: Table, car Other

Materials/Supplementary

Readings

Active Study English

Dictionary ( Pearson)

Why Nobody Knows When He

Will Die (Longman)

Tales From Shakespeare

(Pearson)

Money Doubler

Murder In The Cassava Patch

(Longman)

Ebony Dust ( Longman)

Chalkboard, poster sheets,

flash cards

Newspapers, etc.

Develop abilities in

stating and writing the

kinds of sentences.

Kinds of Sentences:

a. Declarative

b) Imperative

c) Interrogative

d) Exclamatory

Ask pupils to write

examples of each

kind of sentence

with their

punctuation.

Write examples of the kinds

of sentences and punctuate

them correctly.

Cconstruct simple

compound and complex

sentences.

Types of Sentences:

a) Simple

b) Compound

c) Complex

List examples of

each type of

sentence, and ask

pupils to write

examples on their

own.

Search through newspapers

for the types of sentences,

and write them down.

Write friendly and

business letters

effectively.

1. Friendly letter

2. Business letter Allow students to

write and label the

different types of

friendly and business

letters.

1. write a thank you letter

to your parents for buying

you a birthday gift.

2. Write to a public official

inviting him/her to attend

your school ceremony.

Pupils should know

literary terms and their

applications.

Literary Terms

E.g. Title ,plot,

character setting,

character, simile, stanza,

rhyme, etc.

List literary terms

with their definitions

and application on

chalkboard and ask

students to make

references to their

literary works. E.g.

Simile – comparison

in which we use like

and as to compare

items.

Define the following literary

terms and their effect in

literature:

a) setting

b) stanza

c) rhyme

Read and analyze prose

and poetry.

Reading and analysis of

prose and poetry Teacher assigns

students reading text

to read and discuss

or answer questions

from text read.

Discuss the theme, plot,

setting, characters and their

roles in the work read

6

SEMESTER: ONE

GRADE: 7

PERIOD: II

TOPICS:

1. Subject-verb agreement.

2. Paragraph writing: - narrative, descriptive, explanatory, etc.

3. Class discussion;


5. Prefixes, base words and suffixes.



1. Make the verbs agree with the subjects.

2. Write different types of paragraphs – E.g. Narrative, descriptive, expository

3. Discuss on selected topics – E.g. 1. “Admission procedure in school”

“Parliamentary procedures”.

4. Read and analyze prose and poetry.

5. Form new words by adding prefixes and/or suffixes to base words.


Demonstrate an

understanding of subject-

verb agreement usage.

Subject-verb agreement

E.g. 1. Fanta plays;

2. Musu and Luopo work;

3. I sleep.

List rules of making

subject to agree with

verbs on chalkboard.

Ask students to follow

rules and write sentences

making the subject to

agree with the verb.

A. Primary Text



(Pearson)

B. Secondary Texts


(Pearson)





2007)



Develop skills in writing

different types of

paragraphs.

Writing Paragraphs

1. Narrative paragraphs

2. Descriptive “

3. Expository “

Ask students to write an

example of each kind of

paragraph.

Narrative Paragraph – tell

of events/story;

Allow students to bring

Newspaper to school and

identify the types of paragraphs

in the newspaper.

7

Descriptive paragraph –

Describe things vividly;

Expository paragraph –

Explains a process.

Other


Readings

Active Study English Dictionary

( Pearson)


Will Die (Longman)


(Pearson)

Money Doubler


(Longman)



flash cards

Newspapers, etc.

Demonstrate ability in oral

communications. Participating in group

discussions. Allow students to discuss

on a topic and list

conclusions as well as the

pros and cons of the

discussion.

Ask students to form groups

with each group discussing a

topic and making report on it.

Read and analyze prose and

poetry. Reading and analysis Allow students to read a

prose or poetry text:

1. Ask students questions

about setting, character,

author, etc.

2. Discuss text read.

Read and answer question from

“Murder in the cassava patch”

.Also identify the role of the

central character and the theme

Develop vocabulary skills. Prefixes, suffixes and base

words. Give a list of prefixes,

and suffixes with their

definitions. Ask them to

form new words by

adding a prefix and/or

suffix to a base word and

give the new meaning.

Define the following words:

1. Renewable

2. Un faithful

3. Mismanagement

Other essential evaluation

techniques

Quiz

Assignments

8

SEMESTER: ONE

GRADE: 7

PERIOD: III

TOPICS:

1. Verbs – Action and linking.

2. Adjectives – a) that tells how, which one, what kind, and how many;.

b) kinds of adjectives – e.g. Predicate adjective, demonstrative adjective. Etc.

3. Oral Communication – News paper in class.

4. Drama – Drama on child abuse.




1. Name, identify and use action and linking verbs correctly;

2. Identify words that tell how, which one, what kind, how many;

3. Read and discuss newspapers in class;

4. Identify, read, act out dramas and plays;



Develop the skills in the

use action and linking

verbs correctly.

1. Action verbs

a. work

b. play

2. Linking verbs

a. is

b. seem, sound

Ask students to list words

that tell of action. List

them and use them in

sentences correctly.

Repeat same for linking

verbs.

A. Primary Text



(Pearson)

B. Secondary Texts


(Pearson)





2007)



Use the following verbs in

sentences:

1. sound

2. enjoy

3. play

4. appreciate

develop ideas in using

descriptive words. Adjectives and its kinds:

1 a) adj. that tell how;

b) adj. that tell which one;

Write an adjective before

each word:

1. ________ house

Define predicate adjective and

demonstrative adjective, and

give example of each.

9

c) adj. that tell what kind;

d) adj. that tell how many;

2. Kinds of adjectives:

Predicate adj.; demonstrative

adj.; etc.

2. ________ show

3. _______ behavior

4. _______dollar

5. _______ girl

Other


Readings

Active Study English Dictionary

( Pearson)


Will Die (Longman)


(Pearson)

Money Doubler


(Longman)



flash cards

Newspapers, etc.

Demonstrate good

reading skills, and better

understanding about their

environs.

Newspaper in class. Ask students to

individually read portions

of a newspaper orally in

class and explain what

they have read.

Read/ Discuss a selected

literary work.

develop skills in reading

and acting out drama and

plays.

Drama – Child abuse Allow students to write

and act out a drama on

child abuse in the

community.

Comment on the moral of the

drama

Read and summarize

prose and poetry. Reading and analysis Assign a prose or poetry

work to the students, and

let them read and

summarize it.

Other essential evaluation

techniques

Quiz

Assignments Quiz.

10

SEMESTER: TWO

GRADE: 7

PERIOD: IV

TOPICS:

1. The principal parts of verbs - Present; past; and past participle.

2. Adverbs and its kinds.

3. Double negatives and double comparisons.

4. The use of the Dictionary and Thesaurus.

5. Literature and Reading Comprehension.



1. State and use the principal parts of verbs correctly;

2. Identify and use various kinds of adverbs correctly;

3. Avoid the use of double comparison and double negative;

4. Gain ideas on the usage of the dictionary and Thesaurus;


OUTCOMES CONTENTS ACTIVITIES MATERIALSRESOURCES EVALUATION

List the principal parts

of verbs and their

conjugations.

Principal parts of verbs

E.g. Present; past; past

participle.

Ask students to conjugate the

verb go in the present, past and

past participle.

A. Primary Text



(Pearson)

B. Secondary Texts


(Pearson)




Book 1 (University Press

PLC, 2007)



List the principal parts of

verbs and their conjugations.

11

develop skills in using

adverbs in sentences. Kinds of adverbs:

E.g.; Adverb of manner;

Adverb of time ; Adverb of

place; etc.

Write sentences using :

a) adverb of manner

b) adverb of time

c) adverb of place

Other


Readings



Why Nobody Knows When

He Will Die (Longman)


(Pearson)

Money Doubler


(Longman)



flash cards

Newspapers, etc.

List the kinds of adverbs,

and give examples of each.

Identify double-

negatives in composition Double comparison and

double negative Underline the correct word in

each sentence:

1. John is (more taller, taller)

than Josephine.

2. I don’t have (no, any) money.

Identify double-negatives in

a given piece of work.

develop the skills of

using the Dictionary and

Thesaurus;

The usage of the

Dictionary and Thesaurus Give two guide words from a

dictionary/Thesaurus page

(Databank, Day stream);

Define the following words:

darn, dative, daub, dawn and

datum.

Check the dictionary for

new words.

Read and analyze

literary works. Reading and analyzing

Prose and poetry Assign story for students to read

and make report on what they

have read.

Make a book report on a

story read.

12

SEMESTER: TWO

GRADE: 7

PERIOD: V

TOPICS:

1. Prepositional phrases - a) adverbial phrase; b) adjectival phrase.

2. Degrees of adjectives and adverbs: positive, comparative, superlative.

3. Kinds of pronouns and their antecedents: E.g. Personal pronouns, etc.

4. Verbs: Regular and Irregular.

5. Paragraph writing: Descriptive paragraph.

6. Literature and Reading Comprehension.



1. Identify prepositional phrases as adverbial or adjectival.

2. Compare adjectives and adverbs using degrees of comparison.

3. Identify pronouns and their antecedents.

4. Use regular and irregular verbs in their correct tenses.

5. Write descriptive paragraph.



Develop ideas of using

adverbial and

adjectival phrases in

sentences.

Prepositional phrases:

1. adverbial phrases

2. adjectival “

Ask students to write

sentences using

adverbial and adjectival

phrases.

A. Primary Text



(Pearson)

B. Secondary Texts


(Pearson)





2007)



Define the following and

identify their use

a) Preposition

b) Phrase

c) adverb

d) adjective

Use adjectives and

adverbs in comparison. Comparison of adjectives and

adverbs Compare the following

words:

a) beautiful

b) dirty

c) silly

Assign class work activities

on use of adjectives and

adverbs to be done in class.

Write effective Pronouns and their antecedents Ask students to Define antecedent?

13

sentences using

antecedents.

underline the

antecedents in the

sentences below:

1. Flomo ate his rice.

2. We washed our

clothes.

Other


Readings




Will Die (Longman)


(Pearson)

Money Doubler


(Longman)



flash cards

Newspapers, etc.

Give two examples in

sentences, using an

antecedent.

Develop ideas in using

tenses of regular and

irregular verbs.

Using regular and irregular

verbs:

E.g. Regular Verbs:

Cook- cooked – cooked

Irregular verbs:

Eat- ate- eaten

Ask students to use the

following verbs in

correct sentences:

1. rung 2. raise

3. sang 4. sprung

What is a regular verb?

Give an example.

What is an irregular verb?

Give an example.

Develop topics and

write paragraphs on

their own.

Paragraph writing

E.g. Descriptive Ask students to write a

paragraph on the topic

“How our new school

building looks”.

What is a descriptive

paragraph? Give an example.

Reading and analyzing prose and

poetry Assign students to read

a particular story and

make a book report.

(Group assignment)

Write the main idea the story

portrays.

14

SEMESTER: TWO

GRADE: 7

PERIOD: VI

TOPICS:

1. Sentence patterns E.g. Pattern 4 – Subj. + action verb + d.o. + compliment; Pattern 6 – Subj. + linking verb + predicate adjective.

2. Writing autobiographies.

3. Making announcements (Oral communication).

4. Vocabulary development.

5. Literature and Reading comprehension.



1. Write sentences using sentence pattern 4 and sentence pattern 6.

2. Write life stories about themselves.

3. Make announcements with proper enunciation and pronunciation.

4. Build up vocabulary skills by using antonyms and synonyms.



Develop skills in

writing sentences

using pattern 4 and

pattern 6.

Sentence pattern 4 and pattern 6;

Eg. Pattern 4:

Subj. + action verb + d.o. + comp.

Eg. Pattern 6:

Subj. + linking verb + pred.

adjective

Ask pupils to write two

examples of sentences

in patterns 4 and 6.

A. Primary Text



(Pearson)

B. Secondary Texts


(Pearson)





2007)

Other




Read a Newspaper and

identify the use of sentence

patterns 4 and 6.

Pupils appreciate and

develop the skills of

writing

autobiographies.

Writing autobiographies Ask students to write

life stories about

themselves.

Write short autobiographies.

Develop and

demonstrate oral

communication

skills.

Making announcements (Oral

communication)

Ask students to make

announcement in class.

write an announcement and

read it to the class.

Develop their

vocabulary by using

Antonyms and synonyms;

E.g. antonym What is antonym?

Give an example.

Write 5 pairs of antonyms,

and 5 pairs of synonyms.

15

antonyms and

synonyms in


Up - down

Synonym

Glad - Happy

What is synonym?

Give an example.

Readings




Will Die (Longman)


(Pearson)

Money Doubler


(Longman)



flash cards

Newspapers, etc.

Develop literary

skills. Analyzing and reading prose and

poetry Introduce a selected

prose passage and ask

students to read for

discussion.

Identify the literary elements

used in the passage and

comment on their effect.

16

SEMESTER: ONE

GRADE: 8

PERIOD: I

TOPICS:

1. Using parts of speech in sentences.

2. Sentence definition – Subject and Predicate.

3. Composition writing.

4. Making introductions.

5. The use of the Dictionary.

6. Literature and reading comprehension (Note: Figures of speech; Personification; simile; metaphor, etc)



1. Identify and use parts of speech in sentences.

2. Define sentence and identify subject and predicate.

3. Write composition by developing topic sentences effectively.

4. Make introductions, organize conversation, and interviews.

5. Develop ideas on the usage of the dictionary.



Demonstrate the skills in using

parts of speech in sentences. Parts of speech in sentences

based on functions Ask students to use the

following parts of speech

in sentences:

a) adjective

b) adverb

c) verb

d) pronoun

A. Primary Text



(Pearson)

B. Secondary Texts


(Pearson)





2007)



Read a Newspaper Article

and identify the following;

a) adjective

b) adverb

c) verb

d) pronoun

Use subject and predicate in


Using subject and Predicate;

Subject – What the

sentence is about

Ask students to read a

selected passage and

identify the use of subject

Underline the subject once and

the predicate twice in the

following sentences listed

17

Predicate – Tells about

the subject

and predicate.

Other


Readings




Will Die (Longman)

The Marriage of Wisdom

(Longman)

Road to Romeo ( Longman)

Things Fall Apart (Longman)

Jelemu (Longman)

The African Child

Ebony Dust

Africa & Children

Injustices b/Backfire


flash cards

Newspapers, etc.

below:

1. The farmer and his wife

went home very late.

2. Young people like to dance

develop and write

composition. Writing composition Ask students to discuss the

topic “What school means

to me”

Write a one page composition

on the topic discussed.

Demonstrate an effective use

of oral communication skills. Making introductions;

conversing and interviewing Ask students to introduce

one another

Interview the principal of your

school on the state of the

school and write a report.

develop skills in using the

Library. Using the Library Let students go to the

Library, and explain to

them how to use the

Library.

Ask students to make report

on the importance of the

Library.

Read and write summaries on

prose and poetry. Reading and analysis Assign pupils reading text

to read and discuss or

answer questions from text

read.

Ask students to read a poem

and analyze it based on the

structure and effect of literary

terms.

18

SEMESTER: ONE

GRADE: 8

PERIOD: II

TOPICS:

1. The tenses of verbs and their conjugations.

2. Using compound subjects and predicates + Direct and indirect Objects.

3. Paragraph development.

4. Oral communication (Announcement).

5. Vocabulary development (Synonyms and antonyms).

6. Literature and reading comprehension: Liberian Literature studies – Folklore, Biographies, etc.



i. Conjugate verbs in given tenses.

ii. Identify and use compound subjects and predicates, and direct and indirect objects.

iii. Develop paragraphs by sticking to the topic.

iv. Make announcements with proper enunciation and pronunciation.

v. Develop their vocabularies through the use of synonyms and antonyms.

vi. Read and analyze prose or poetry.


Conjugate verbs in the

various tenses. Conjugation of verbs

Tenses: Present, past,

future, present perfect, past

perfect, future perfect

Conjugate the following

verbs in the six tenses:

a) eat b) sing

A. Primary Text



(Pearson)

B. Secondary Texts


(Pearson)





2007)



List the six tenses, and give

an example of each.

Pupils develop skills using

compound subject and

predicate, direct and indirect

objects in sentences.

Compound subject and

predicate; Direct and

indirect objects.

Ask pupils to write two

sentences using


predicate, direct and

Write a brief paragraph using


predicates.

19

indirect objects.

Other


Readings




Will Die (Longman)


(Longman)



Jelemu (Longman)

The African Child

Ebony Dust

Africa & Children



flash cards

Newspapers, etc.

Develop and write

paragraphs. Paragraph development Ask pupils to develop a

topic sentence and write

on it. E.g. “ The food

that I like best.

Red a selected paragraph and

identify the following: topic

sentence, supporting

sentences, and concluding

sentence.

Pupils develop and

appreciate making

announcements.

Making announcements (Orally)

Call on students to make

announcement in class.

Organize an interview and

observe Lexis and structure,

pronunciation etc.

Develop vocabularies using

synonyms and antonyms. Synonyms and antonyms Write two pairs of

examples each for

synonym and antonym:

Synonyms: ____ ____

____ ____

Antonyms: ____ ____

_____ ____

What is a synonym?

What is an antonym?

Give 5 pairs of examples for

each.

Pupils appreciate literary

works. Analyzing and reading

prose and poetry Ask students to discuss a

selected novel

Poster sheets, chalkboard,

flash cards, etc.

Make a book report on the

selected novel.

20

SEMESTER: ONE

GRADE: 8

PERIOD: III

TOPICS:

1. Predicate nominative and predicate adjectives.

2. Pronouns (who and whom).

3. Verbs: Regular and irregular.

4. Phrases: Appositive.

5. Collateral reading: Book report, notices, etc.




1. Identify predicate nominative and predicate adjective in sentences.

2. Use the pronouns who and whom in sentences.

3. Use regular and irregular verbs in sentences noting subject-verb agreement.

4. Identify and use appositive and appositive phrases in sentences.

5. Write reports, notices and plan outlines in groups.



Develop ideas in identifying

and using predicate

nominative and predicate

adjectives.

Predicate nominative and

predicate adjectives State the differences

between predicate

nominative and predicate

adjective, and give

examples of each in

sentences.

A. Primary Text


(Pearson)

B. Secondary Texts



(Pearson)







State if the underlined word

is used as a predicate

nominative or predicate

adjective:

1. Jallah was the winner.

(_______)

2. Jomah was happy.

(________)

Use who and whom

effectively. Using who and whom

Discuss the use of who

and whom.

Underline the word used

correctly in the parenthesis:

1. (Who, Whom) took the red

21

PLC, 2007)

Other


Readings



Why Nobody Knows When

He Will Die (Longman)


(Longman)



Jelemu (Longman)

The African Child

Ebony Dust

Africa & Children



flash cards

Newspapers, etc.

t-shirt?

2. From (who, whom) did

you buy the fish?

Demonstrate the ability to

use regular and irregular

verbs.

Regular and irregular

verbs Use the following verbs

in sentences correctly:

1. send

2. borrow

3. learn

Write a short talk using

regular and irregular verbs.


phrases. Phrases - Appositive

Give a short definition of

appositive, and appositive

phr Give a short

definition of appositive,

and appositive phrase ase

Underline the appositive

phrase in each sentence:

1. Kona, my wife’s sister,

will be here.

2. The car, a blue Toyota,

was stolen this morning.

Develop skills in writing

notices, reports, etc. in

groups.

Collateral Reading:

a) Book report

b) Notices

c) Plan outlines

Assign students in

smaller groups to read

and make a report on

what was read.

Let the students (in groups)

report on topics in the

newspaper:

a) Health

b) Recent development

c) Foreign news

Pupils appreciate reading

prose and poetry. Reading and analysis Let pupils read a poem

and state its:

1. Author

2. Setting

3. Mood

Write briefly on the

following aspects of the

poem: setting , mood and

form.

.

22

SEMESTER: TWO

GRADE: 8

PERIOD: IV

TOPICS:

1. Verbal and verbal phrases: E.g. Gerunds, participles, infinitives.

2. Kinds of Pronouns and their antecedents. E.g. Personal pronouns.

3. Writing composition: E.g. Essays, Business, and friendly letters.

4. The use of the Dictionary. E.g. Entry words, guide words, etc.

5. Studying Drama.

6. Literature and reading comprehension:

a) Study Poetry and its related terms. E.g. Imageries, symbolism

b) Learning and using figures of speech. E.g. Metonymy; Allegory.



1. Identify and use verbals and verbal phrases.

2. Use pronouns and antecedents.

3. Write composition on given topics.

4. Identify entry words, guide words, origin of words, etc. in the dictionary.

5. Dramatize a Liberian or an African play.



Demonstrate skills using

verbal and verbal phrases. Verbal and verbal phrases:

Gerunds, participles and

infinitives.

Help students to write

example of sentences

containing:

a) Gerund

b) Participle

C) Infinitive

A. Primary Text



(Pearson)

B. Secondary Texts


(Pearson)







Write the meaning of the

following words:

1. Gerund

2. Participle

3. Infinitive


pronouns and antecedents

correctly in sentences.

Pronouns and their

antecedents Discuss examples of

pronouns and

antecedents as used in

selected passages.

What is an antecedent of a

pronoun?

What is a pronoun?

Writing composition Introduce a topic that will Write two paragraphs to

23


argue using logic. Argumentative Essay lead to a debate.

Example: Money and

Education, which do you

prefer?

2007)

Other


Readings




Will Die (Longman)


(Longman)



Jelemu (Longman)

The African Child

Ebony Dust

Africa & Children



flash cards

Newspapers, etc.

support your view on the topic.

Pupils appreciate and

develop the skills in using

the Dictionary.

Using Dictionary:

a) Entry word

b) Guide word

c) Origin of word

Discuss the use of the

dictionary in class

Use the dictionary to define the

following words : Paragraph,

objective, punctuation etc.

Pupils develop skills in

dramatizing plays. Studying Drama Ask students to stage a

play let about HIV/AIDS

and act it out.

Write your feelings on the

lessons learned and the role of

the characters.

Allow students to read a

selected drama.

Write a book report on selected

drama

24

SEMESTER: TWO

GRADE: 8

PERIOD: V

TOPICS:

1. Adjectives and adverbs in comparison. E.g. comparative, superlative.

2. Clauses: Independent and subordinate clauses.

3. Punctuations: E.g. Apostrophes; Quotation; semicolon; Colon; etc.

4. Letter writing – Application.

5. Oral communication – speeches.

6. Literature and reading comprehension: E.g. Liberian Literature.




2. Identify and use subordinate clauses.

3. Use punctuation marks correctly.

4. Write letters of application.

5. Give short speeches in class.



develop skills in using

the comparatives and

superlatives of a variety

of adjectives adverbs.

Adjectives and adverbs

in comparison Write on the

chalkboard “The

ocean is ____ than

the sea” and

“Monrovia is the

______ city in

Liberia.”

Have students fill in

the blank spaces in

ten different ways.

Discuss their

responses.

Write notes on

adjectives and

A. Primary Text



(Pearson)

B. Secondary Texts


(Pearson)





2007)



Write a paragraph using

the degrees of

comparing adjectives

and adverbs.

25

adverbs comparison. Other


Readings




Will Die (Longman)


(Longman)



Jelemu (Longman)

The African Child

Ebony Dust

Africa & Children



flash cards

Newspapers, etc.

Develop and

demonstrate the skills in

using independent and

dependent clauses when

communicating.

Clauses:

- Independent

- Subordinate

Teacher must lead a

discussion on the

kinds of clauses.

Define that a clause

is, independent and

subordinate clauses

and give examples.

Read a selected passage

and identify the clauses

and give their kind.

Identify

role of punctuation

marks in clarifying

speech pauses when

communicating.

Punctuations:

- Apostrophe

- Quotation

- Semicolon

- Colon

Teacher must write a

sample letter

omitting the

punctuation marks,

and have

Students do

punctuation of

sentences in the

letter. Discuss their

responses. Write

notes on punctuation

marks.

Dictate a passage to the

students and have pupils

write and punctuate the

passage.

Write varying types of

letters.

Letter writing -

Applications Let students apply

for a local

scholarship.

Lead a class

discussion about at

least four different

student samples.

Strengthen their

strengths, and clarify

their weaknesses.

Write an application in

response to an

advertisement in the

local media.

develop skills in speech

making. Oral communication -

Speeches Let students listen to

an impromptu

speech.

Lead a class

discussion about the

features of the

Make a three minute

speech on any

interesting topic.

26

speech.

Read and analyze prose

and poetry.

Reading and analysis Let studentsread a

poem by an African

Poet.

Lead a class


theme of the Poem,

and the author’s

style.

Discuss the theme and

author’s style as used in

the selected poem.

27

SEMESTER: TWO

GRADE: 8

PERIOD: VI

TOPICS:

1. Adjectives and adverbs in comparison. E.g. comparative, superlative.

2. Clauses: Independent and subordinate clauses.

3. Punctuations: E.g. Apostrophes; Quotation; semicolon; Colon; etc.

4. Letter writing – Application.

5. Oral communication – speeches.

6. Literature and reading comprehension: E.g. Liberian Literature




2. Identify and use subordinate clauses.

3. Use punctuation marks correctly.

4. Write letters of application.

5. Give short speeches in class.



Develop

voice intonation in becoming

better speakers.;

Verb usage - Active and

passive voice Lead a class discussion

on the usage of the

active and passive

voice

Let students change

active voice sentences

to passive voice and

vice-versa.

A. Primary Text



(Pearson)

B. Secondary Texts


(Pearson)





2007)



Read a selected passage and

identify the use of active and

passive voice.

Communicate clearly by

identifying pronouns and

their antecedents when

speaking and writing.

Kinds of Pronouns and

their antecedents Write sentences using

the antecedents and

omitting the pronouns.

Ask pupils to

brainstorm pronouns

that can complete each.

28

Discuss their responses. Other


Readings




Will Die (Longman)


(Longman)



Jelemu (Longman)

The African Child

Ebony Dust

Africa & Children



flash cards

Newspapers, etc.

Identify and write sentences

using conjunctions and

interjections.

Use of conjunctions and

interjections

Students brainstorm a

list of interjections; use

each in a sentence and

give each meaning as

used in a sentence.

Lead a class discussion

about their responses to

clarify meaning of

interjections.

Let students define

conjunction and give

examples.


about the kinds of

conjunctions, and usage

of each kind.

Write sentences using

conjunction and interjection.

Identify the role verbal play

in communication.

Identify the role clauses play

in clarifying a written report.

Verbal and clauses Let students brainstorm

the kinds of verbal and

their usage. Teacher

clarify meaning by

giving definition and

examples, and have

pupils write four

examples in sentences

for each verbal.

Let pupils identify the

types of clauses used in

four given compound,

complex, sentences.

Teacher lead a class


responses, and clarify

meaning by giving

definition and meaning.

Read a newspaper and

identify verbal and clauses.

29

Describe the role that the

Library plays in enhancing a

research project.

Uses of the Library Let the class make a

field trip to a local

Library and the

students make a report

about the uses of the

Library.

Carry out a library research

on a topic.

Understand that HIV/AIDS

has a high risk perception

and therefore leads to an

unhealthy life.

Literature and Reading

Comprehension Let students read an

article about

HIV/AIDS. Teacher

leads a class discussion

about the impact of

AIDS from the article.

Let pupils dramatize

about HIV/AIDS.

Let pupils write an

essay about HIV/AIDS

in Liberia

Write an article on

HIV/AIDS in Liberia.

30

SEMESTER: ONE

GRADE: 9

PERIOD: I

TOPICS:

1. Capitalization and punctuations.

2. Verbs: Transitive and intransitive.

3. Writing Compositions: Note chronological order, order of importance, etc.

4. Vocabulary development (Synonyms and antonyms).

5. Literature and reading comprehension (Note: A study of Liberian short story and its elements.



1. Capitalize and use punctuation marks correctly.

2. Identify and use transitive and intransitive verbs in sentences.

3. Write composition with regards to order of paragraph development.

4. Develop their vocabulary by use of antonyms and synonyms.



Develop the skills in

using punctuation marks

in sentences and

paragraph writing.

Capitalization and

punctuation marks Write several

sentences on the

chalkboard And Ask

students to punctuate

them.

A. Primary Text



(Pearson)

B. Secondary Texts


(Pearson)





2007)



Dictate a passage to

students. Tell them to

capitalize and punctuate

the passage correctly.

Demonstrate skills in

writing sentences using

transitive and

intransitive verbs.

Transitive and

intransitive verbs

E.g. Transitive:

I forgot the key to my

locker today.

E.g. Intransitive:

The band played during

half time. (No direct

object)


3 sentences using

transitive verbs and

3 sentences using

intransitive verbs.

An action verb that

has an object is

transitive.

An action verb that

Answer the following

questions:

1. What is a transitive

verb?

Give 5 examples in

sentences.

2. What is an

intransitive verb?

Write 5 examples using

31

has no object is

intransitive. Other


Readings

The Rain & the Night

Two weeks after the Wedding

The Abandoned Child

The African Child

The Adventure of Tom Sawyer

(Longman)

African Interior Mission





Jelemu (Longman)

The African Child

Ebony Dust


flash cards

complete sentences.

Develop skills in

writing paragraphs in

chronological order.

Writing Composition

a) Chronological order

b) Order of importance

Ask to write on a

given topic.

“How to prepare

palm-butter”

Write two paragraphs on

an interesting topic.

Observe the use of the

various orders in

paragraph development.

Develop and

demonstrate vocabulary

skills by using

synonyms and antonyms

in sentences correctly.

Antonyms and

synonyms:

E.g. Antonyms are

words with opposite

meaning

E.g. Synonyms are

words with same

meaning

Identify objects of

varying sizes and

colors and ask the

students to compare

and contrast them.

1. Write the synonyms

for the following words:

a) glad ______

b) sweet ____

c) down _____

2. Write antonyms for

the following words:

a) tall ______

b) ugly _____

c)famous ____ etc.

Develop skills to

appreciate literary

works.

Analyzing and reading

Prose and poetry,

including magazines,

etc.

Assign story for

students to read

discuss in class.

.

Write a two page

summary of the story.

32

SEMESTER: ONE

GRADE: 9

PERIOD: II

TOPICS:

1. Verbs: Principal parts and its tenses.

2. Nouns – Predicate nominatives direct objects.

3. Phrases: Prepositional adverbial and adjectival.

4. Announcements, speeches, talks etc.

5. Literature and reading comprehension (Note: Poetry writing and study:

a) Simple lyric poems (Ebony dust);

b) Write biography of any famous Liberian;

c) Differentiate between biography and auto biography.



1. Identify and use the principal parts of verbs and its tenses.

2. Use predicate nominative and direct objects in sentences.

3. Identify and use various kinds of phrases.

4. Make announcements.



Pupils develop skills in

identifying and using the

principal parts of verbs

and its tenses.

Verbs:

1. Principal parts

2. Tenses

Write regular and

irregular verbs on flash

cards. Ask each pupil to

give either the past or

past participle of each

verb.

A. Primary Text



(Pearson)

B. Secondary Texts


(Pearson)






Read a passage and identify

the principal parts of the

verbs.

Recognize nouns as

predicate nominative or

direct object in sentences.

Predicate nominative and direct

object Define predicate

nominative and direct

object. Give examples

of their uses in

sentences and ask pupils

to do same.

Ask students to use the

following words in

sentences as a predicate

nominative and then as

direct objects: a. ball b.

desire

33


various kinds of phrases. Phrases:

1. Prepositional

2. Adverbial

3. Adjectival

Write examples of kinds

of phrases on

chalkboard. Label them

as adjectival and

adverbial phrases. Let

students write examples

of adjectival and

adverbial phrases.


2007)

Other


Readings



The Abandoned Child

The African Child


(Longman)






Jelemu (Longman)

The African Child

Ebony Dust


flash cards


identify prepositions as

adverbs and adjectives

Develop ideas in writing

and making announcement

on given subject.

Making announcements Give students various

topics or subjects to

prepare announcements.

Let them individually

read out the

announcement. Discuss

with class their

weaknesses and

strengths.

Ask students to bring

newspapers to school. Let

each student make a list of

the purpose, time, place and

writer of each

announcement.

Write, read and analyze

poems.

Reading and analysis of poetry Allow students

to read a poem (Ebony

Dust) and discuss it in

class.

Write a biography of

any famous Liberian.

Differentiate between

biography and

autobiography.

Discuss the following in

relation to the poem read:

theme, form, imagery, and

mood

34

SEMESTER: ONE

GRADE: 9

PERIOD: III

TOPICS:

1. Agreement of subject and verb.

2. Writing Compositions: Note – Application, order, request, inquiry, etc.

3. Reviewing past WAEC papers.

4. Literature and reading comprehension (Note: Liberian Literature – The Rain and the Night) .



1. Form the comparative and superlative of adjectives and adverbs.

2. Make verbs agree with subjects in sentences.

3. Write different kinds of business letters.

4. Introduce an elder to a minor and vice-versa.



Develop ideas in using verb

s that agree with the subject.

Subject-verb agreement Write a series of

sentences with subject-

verb errors and ask

students make

corrections.

A. Primary Text



(Pearson)

B. Secondary Texts


(Pearson)





PLC, 2007)

Other

Essential tasks students should be

able to do:

Write 5 sentences on your own; make

sure that the subject agrees with the

verb.


write different forms of

formal letters.

Kinds of Business Letters:

E.g. Letters of application,

order, request, inquiry, etc.

Discuss the various

forms of letters and

illustrate appropriate

formats.

Write one letter on each of the

following:

a. order

b. request

c. Inquiry

d. complaint etc.

35

Apply the basic skills in

answering examination

questions.

Reviewing pas Exam

questions

Review past questions

with students and

provide model answers


Readings



The Abandoned Child

The African Child


(Longman)






Jelemu (Longman)

The African Child

Ebony Dust


flash cards

Write answers to selected past Exam

questions.

Develop and appreciate

reading prose and poetry. Reading and analysis of

prose and poetry Ask pupils to read at

least two chapters from a

selected text.

write a short summary of the selected

based on theme ,structure ,characters

etc.

36

SEMESTER: TWO

GRADE: 9

PERIOD: IV

TOPICS:

1. Nouns: Proper, common, collective, abstract, concrete.

2. Verbal: Gerunds, participles and infinitives.

3. Composition and its kinds: Creative, descriptive, argumentative, etc.

4. Using the Library: Library arrangement, reference materials.

5. Literature and reading comprehension (Note: a) Complete Liberian Literature:

a) The Rain and the Night.

b) Study African Authors (African Child)



1. Identify and use kinds of nouns.

2. Identify kinds of verbal and use them correctly in sentences.

3. Develop different kinds of compositions.

4. Develop Library skills.



Classify nouns based on

function and use in a

sentence.

Nouns

- Common

- Proper

- Collective

- Abstract

-concrete

-compound

Write the four types of

nouns on the chalkboard,

and have students suggest

five examples of each

type.


about their suggestions to

clarify meaning, and give

brief notes.

A. Primary Text



(Pearson)

B. Secondary Texts


(Pearson)








identify the six types of

nouns.

Demonstrate skills in using

verbal, thus bringing varieties

to how they communicate.

Verbal

- Gerund

- Participles

Let students brainstorm

what a verbal is and give

examples.


identify verbal as used.

37

- Infinitives

- Phrases

Discuss their responses to

clarify meaning.

Let teacher write brief

notes on the chalkboard.

2007)

Other


Readings



The Abandoned Child

The African Child


(Longman)






Jelemu (Longman)

The African Child

Ebony Dust


flash cards

Develop and apply basic

writing skills. Composition

- Creative

- Descriptive

- Argumentative

-expository

Let students write a

descriptive paragraph

about their classroom.


about the strengths and

weaknesses of five of the

students’ samples.

Outline the features of a

descriptive paragraph.

Lead a class panel

discussion on Education

for Girls’ merits and

demerits.

Outline the features of a

argumentative paragraph.

Write a descriptive essay

about their school campus or

town.

Write an article supporting or

against the topic “Should

Girls have Equal Right to

Education as boys’?

Demonstrate the ability to use

the library for research. Using the Library

- Library arrangement

- Reference materials

Lead the students on a

guarded tour of a local

Library. Have a question

and answer period with

the Librarian.

Write a report about the uses

of a Library.

Identify the role of Literature

in reliving the past to prepare

for the future.

Literature Let students brainstorm

the activities of the

traditional school as

portrayed in a selected

African prose

Write an essay about “The

importance of Traditional

Education in the twenty-first

century”.

38


about the importance of

the traditional school in

the twenty-first century.

SEMESTER: TWO

GRADE: 9

PERIOD: V

TOPICS:

1. Parts of speech: Conjunction, interjection and preposition.

2. Types of sentences and their uses: Simple, compound and complex.

3. Clauses: Dependent and independent.

4. Dramatization.

5. Literature and reading comprehension (Note - a) Write autobiography; b) Literary terms).



1. List the parts of speech and use them in sentences.

2. Identify types of sentences and use them properly.

3. Use dependent and independent clauses in composition work.

4. Stage a drama on good Governance.


39


Develop skills in the usage

of conjunctions,

interjection and

preposition in constructing

sentences.

Conjunctions,

Prepositions and

Interjections

Ask students to list

words that show

relations between other

words (connectives).

Group them as either

conjunctions or

prepositions and let

students use them in

sentences, showing

words or group of

words they connect.

Define interjection and

give examples. Let

pupils class them as

either strong or mild

feelings.

A. Primary Text



(Pearson)

B. Secondary Texts


(Pearson)





PLC, 2007)

Other


Readings



The Abandoned Child

The African Child


(Longman)




Essential tasks students should be able

to do:

Read the current edition of a local

Newspaper and identify the conjunctions,

prepositions ,and interjections.

Develop skills in proper

sentence construction. Simple, compound and

complex sentences Allow the students to

bring newspapers to

school. Let them go

through them, circling

the simple sentences,

underlining the

compound sentences

once, and the complex

sentences twice.

Read a speech delivered by a high profile

individual and search for subject-verb

errors, also identify simple, compound, and

complex sentences, etc.

Demonstrate the ability

and skills in using clauses

in constructing sentences.

Dependent and

Independent clauses Class group of words

with subject and verb

as dependent, if it

cannot stand alone and

as independent, if it can

stand alone. Let pupils

Define dependent and independent clause,

and write two examples of each in

sentences.

40

give examples of their

own.



Jelemu (Longman)

The African Child

Ebony Dust


flash cards

Apply good governance

and good leadership in the

class room ability.

Drama – Good

governance Allow students to

organize themselves in

groups and stage a

drama acting the House

of Representatives in

session. Identify and

comment on their

weaknesses and

strengths.

Write a composition on your thought about

governance. Also write on the

parliamentary procedure used in the drama.

Read prose materials with

clarity and

comprehension.

Writing Autobiography

Literary terms

Lead students into a


elements of an

autobiography.

Write a life story about themselves

(Curriculum Vitae), including date of birth,

place of birth, school attended, etc.

Give more Literary terms on Prose and

Poetry.

41

SEMESTER: TWO

GRADE: 9

PERIOD: VI

TOPICS:

1. Kinds of personal pronouns and their uses.

2. Types of sentences – sentence patterns.

3. Parts of speech: Verb, pronoun, adverb, adjective, etc.

4. Subject-verb agreement.

5. Capitalization and punctuation.

6. Writing composition: Argumentative, Expository.

7. Literature and reading comprehension (Note: Review Biography and elements of short story).



1. Identify and use personal pronouns.

2. Develop different types of sentence patterns.

3. Identify and use parts of speech in sentences.

4. Make verbs to agree with subjects in sentences.

5. Capitalize and use punctuation marks correctly.

6. Develop kinds of compositions.

7. Read and analyze prose or poet.


Demonstrate the skills in

identifying and using personal

pronouns in sentences

correctly.

Identifying and using

personal pronouns Ask students to use the

following personal

pronouns in sentences:

a) they b) we c) us

d) she e) their

A. Primary Text



(Pearson)

B. Secondary Texts


(Pearson)






Write 10 personal pronouns,

and use same in complete

sentences.

Apply the use of different

sentence patterns. Types of sentence patterns:

E.g. Sentence pattern four:

Subject + action verb + Direct


sentences using sentence

pattern four method

Write a one page composition

on any topic of interest and

identify the use of sentence 4

42

object + Complement

Eg. Sentence pattern six:

Subject + linking verb +

Predicate adjective

E.g. We elected Mulbah

President.

Subj. action verb D.O.

Complement.


2007)

Other


Readings



The Abandoned Child

The African Child


(Longman)






Jelemu (Longman)

The African Child

Ebony Dust


flash cards

and 6.

Demonstrate the skills and

ability needed to effectively

identify and use parts of

speech in sentences.

Using parts of speech in

sentences

E.g. Nouns, pronouns,

adjectives, etc.


sentences using the

following parts of speech:

a) adjective

b) adverb

c) Preposition, etc.


identify all of the adjectives,

adverbs and prepositions as

used..

Develop skills in using verb

that agrees with its subject. Subject-verb agreement

E.g. He (is, are) my friend.

They (was, were) going home.

Underline the correct verb

usage in each of the

sentences listed below:

a) Pewee and Flomo ( are ,

is) studying.

b) She (is, are, was) sick

yesterday. Etc.

Explain in their own words

what is meant by subject-verb

agreement.

Demonstrate skills in using

punctuation marks in

sentences and paragraph

writing.

Capitalization and

punctuation marks. Write several sentences on

the chalkboard and ask

students to punctuate them

correctly.

Dictate a passage to the

students and

tell them to capitalize and

punctuate the passage

correctly.

The printing of the National Liberian Curriculum is provided by ECSEL - European Commission Support for Education in Liberia

Documents

National curriculum for grades 7 to 9: language arts · Kinds of sentences according to purpose and their punctuations ... Write examples of the kinds of sentences and punctuate