Lesson notes are essential to effective teaching. They help the teacher plan, organize, and deliver lessons in a structured way. In Nigeria, the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) provides a standard format that ensures consistency across schools and supports quality teaching.
Whether you are a newly employed teacher or an experienced educator looking to improve your classroom planning, this guide will teach you exactly how to write a lesson note using the NERDC format, with examples and a free downloadable template.
What Is the NERDC Lesson Note Format?
The NERDC lesson note format is a structured approach used in Nigerian schools to ensure that teachers follow curriculum standards, deliver relevant content, and properly assess students.
It includes:
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Lesson identification
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Learning objectives
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Instructional materials
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Presentation steps
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Student and teacher activities
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Evaluation and assignment
This ensures that every lesson is purposeful and measurable.
Why Lesson Notes Matter for Teachers
A well-prepared lesson note:
✔ Ensures proper curriculum coverage
✔ Improves lesson delivery and classroom control
✔ Helps learners understand concepts better
✔ Assists administrators during supervision
✔ Builds a professional teaching routine
✔ Helps track academic progress
Good lesson notes = better teaching + better learning.
Complete Breakdown of the NERDC Lesson Note Format
Below is the full NERDC structure and how to write each part correctly.
1. Lesson Header Information
This appears at the top of your lesson note. It includes:
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School
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Teacher’s name
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Subject
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Class
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Term
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Week
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Date
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Topic
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Sub-topic
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Duration
School: StudyZone Academy
Teacher: Mrs. Ijeoma Obi
Subject: Basic Science
Class: Primary 3
Term: Third Term
Week: 4
Date: 10/06/2024
Topic: The Human Body
Sub-topic: Sense Organs
Duration: 45 minutes
2. Learning Objectives
Learning objectives tell what the pupils will achieve at the end of the lesson. They should be specific, measurable, and written in simple language.
Start them with action verbs like:
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identify
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describe
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explain
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list
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demonstrate
Example:
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
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Identify the five sense organs
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State the functions of each sense organ
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Describe how the sense organs help us observe our environment
3. Instructional Materials
These are the items you will use to teach.
Examples:
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Charts
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Flash cards
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Real objects (bell, flower, fruit)
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Video or projector
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Chalkboard illustrations
The more concrete the materials, the better the learning.
4. Previous Knowledge
This connects the lesson to what pupils have already learned.
Example:
“Pupils know that the body is made up of different parts.”
5. Lesson Introduction
Your introduction should:
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capture interest
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activate prior knowledge
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create a link to the new topic
Example Intro:
The teacher holds up a flower and asks:
“Which part of your body helps you know the smell of this flower?”
This leads pupils into the topic: Sense Organs.
6. Presentation (Step-by-Step Lesson Development)
This is the main body of the lesson. NERDC uses sequential steps.
STEP 1: Teacher’s Explanation
The teacher defines, explains, and introduces the topic.
Teacher’s Activities:
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Display charts of sense organs
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Explain each organ
Students’ Activities:
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Observe chart
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Repeat names
STEP 2: Demonstration / Group Activity
Teacher’s Activity:
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Give pupils objects to touch, smell, or observe
Students’ Activity:
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Participate in hands-on demonstrations
STEP 3: Reinforcement
Teacher asks oral questions to check understanding.
7. Evaluation
These questions must match your learning objectives.
Example:
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Mention the five sense organs
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Which organ helps you hear?
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What is the function of the tongue?
Evaluation helps the teacher know whether to proceed or reteach.
8. Conclusion
The teacher briefly summarizes the key points of the lesson.
Example:
“The sense organs help us see, hear, smell, taste, and feel things around us.”
9. Assignment
This extends learning beyond the classroom.
Example:
“Draw any two sense organs and state their functions.”
FREE NERDC LESSON NOTE TEMPLATE (Copy & Paste)
Below is a clean, ready-to-use template for teachers.
Keep objectives short and measurable