Beyond Mum and Dad: Knowing Other People in the Family

 

Subject: Social Studies

Class: Primary Five (5)

Week: 1

Topic: Other People in the Family

Duration: 40 minutes

Age: 9 – 10 years

Term: First Term

Reference Materials:

- Nigeria Primary Social Studies Curriculum

- SmartDeen Academy Social Studies Notes

- Primary Social Studies Textbook for Basic 5 (UBE Recommended)

Learning Objectives:

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

1. Explain the meaning of a family.

2. Identify other people who belong to the extended family.

3. Describe the roles of grandparents, uncles, aunties, cousins, nephews, and nieces in the family.

4. State the importance of maintaining good relationships with other family members.

5. Relate the lesson to moral and Islamic teachings on family ties.

Previous Knowledge:

Pupils have already learned about the nuclear family (father, mother, and children) in previous classes.

Teaching Aids:

- Family tree chart

- Flashcards showing pictures of family members

- Real-life examples (photographs or stories)

- Whiteboard and marker

                          Introduction 

Teacher begins the class by asking pupils simple questions:

Who are the people in your family?

Do you have cousins, uncles, or aunties?

What do they do in your family?

Then, the teacher explains:

 “A family is the first and most important group in every society. It is where love, care, and good behaviour begin. Apart from our parents and siblings, there are other people who are part of our extended family. These people also play important roles in our lives and help us grow into responsible members of the community.”

                     Lesson Development

A family is a group of people who are related by blood, marriage, or adoption.

We have two main types of families:

1. Nuclear Family: Father, mother, and children.

2. Extended Family: Grandparents, uncles, aunties, cousins, nephews, and nieces.

              Other People in the Family

Other people in the family are members apart from the father, mother, and children. They include:

- Grandparents: Parents of our father or mother who advise and teach family values.

- Uncles: Our father’s or mother’s brothers who guide and support us.

- Aunties: Our father’s or mother’s sisters who show love and care.

- Cousins: Children of our uncles and aunties — like brothers and sisters from another home.

- Nephews and Nieces: Nephews are sons of our brothers or sisters, while nieces are their daughters.

       Importance of Other Family Members 

1. They share love and happiness within the family.

2. They help care for children when parents are not around.

3. They support one another in times of need.

4. They teach morals, culture, and traditions.

5. They strengthen unity and peace in the family.

          Moral and Islamic Connection 🌙

In Islam, family ties (Suratul Rahim) are highly encouraged.

The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said:

“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should maintain good relations with his family.” – [Bukhari & Muslim]

This means we should respect, visit, and show kindness to our relatives — grandparents, uncles, aunties, and cousins. It brings blessings and increases love among family members.

Lesson Sequence :

Step One: Teacher introduces the new lesson 

Step Two: Teacher revises the previous lesson 

Step Three: Teacher write and explain the new lesson 

Assessment:  Teacher ask the pupils the following questions:

Evaluation Questions:

1. What is a family?

2. List the two main types of families.

3. Mention four other people in the family apart from parents and children.

4. State two roles of grandparents or aunties.

5. Mention one Islamic teaching on family relationship.

Conclusion: 

The family is like a tree — parents are the roots, children are the branches, and other relatives are the leaves that make it beautiful. We must appreciate and care for everyone in our family, both near and far.

Assignment:

Draw and label a family tree showing your extended family members.

Write two sentences on how your uncles or aunties help your family.

Moral Lesson

We must love and respect everyone in our family.

Unity and care make a family stronger.

Islam encourages maintaining strong family relationships.

                  SmartDeen Reflection

 A family is not defined by how many people live in one house, but by how many hearts stay connected — even when they are far away.

Teach children to honour every branch of their family tree, because every name carries a story that builds who they become.