Primary 1 English Language Scheme of Work (NERDC) | New Curriculum

1

Phonemic Awareness (Identifying Sounds)

Recognize & manipulate individual sounds

1. Produce sounds of letters A–G.
2. Distinguish between sounds.
3. Sing alphabet songs.

Letters A–G sounds, alphabet song, sound discrimination games.

2

Phonemic Awareness (Songs & Rhymes)

Sing songs & recite rhymes

1. Sing simple rhymes.
2. Identify rhyming words.
3. Create rhyming pairs.

Rhymes on safety, empathy, teamwork. Rhyming word families.

3

Phonological Awareness

Blend sounds to form words

1. Identify beginning/middle/ending sounds.
2. Blend sounds to form mono-syllabic words.

Sound blending, syllable clapping, word building with letter cards.

4

Concept of Print

Recognize & identify printed materials

1. Identify front/back cover of books.
2. Show left-to-right reading direction.
3. Handle books properly.

Parts of a book, print vs. images, book care.

5

Common Objects Identification

Identify objects with sizes, shapes, colors

1. Name common objects.
2. Describe objects by color/shape.
3. Draw simple shapes.

Classroom objects, basic shapes, primary colors.

6

Simple Commands

Give & carry out commands

1. Give simple commands.
2. Respond to commands.
3. Use appropriate tone.

Commands at home/school: “Stand up”, “Sit down”, “Open your book”.

7

Introduction of Self & Others

Introduce self & others

1. Introduce self confidently.
2. Introduce a friend.
3. Use polite language.

“My name is…”, “This is my friend…”, role-play introductions.

8

Common Greetings

Greet appropriately

1. Use greetings for time of day.
2. Respond to greetings.
3. Use non-verbal cues.

“Good morning”, “Good afternoon”, “How are you?”

9

Nouns & Pronouns

Identify & use nouns & pronouns

1. Define noun & pronoun.
2. Identify nouns & pronouns in sentences.
3. Use in simple sentences.

Common nouns (boy, girl, book), pronouns (he, she, it).

10

Writing Letters (A–M)

Write clearly & legibly

1. Demonstrate pre-writing skills.
2. Write letters A–M in upper & lower case.

Pencil grip, tracing, air writing, letter formation.

11

Revision of First Term Topics

Consolidate learning

Review phonemic awareness, greetings, commands, nouns, writing.

Interactive games, group recaps, worksheet reviews.

12

Examination

Assess first-term learning

Written & oral assessments based on covered topics.

Teacher-prepared tests, oral drills, practical tasks.

1

Phonological Awareness (Animal Sounds)

Identify sounds of animals & things

1. Name sounds of animals.
2. Imitate sounds.
3. Match animals to sounds.

Sounds of cat, dog, cow, bell, clock, etc.

2

Sound Clusters

Articulate consonant clusters

1. Identify initial consonant clusters (e.g., bl, cl).
2. Pronounce words with clusters.

Blending drills, cluster flashcards, word lists.

3

Guided Reading

Demonstrate reading fluency

1. Read short, decodable texts.
2. Answer simple questions from text.

Leveled readers, sight words, comprehension Q&A.

4

Comprehension

Read & comprehend simple texts

1. Retell stories in own words.
2. Predict story events.
3. Relate stories to personal experience.

Short stories on values, hygiene, hard work.

5

Common Signs & Symbols

Recognize & use signs & symbols

1. Identify common signs.
2. Explain meaning of traffic signs.
3. Draw signs.

Traffic signs, emojis, symbols (+, –, ₦).

6

Making Polite Requests

Make requests correctly

1. Use “please”, “thank you”, “excuse me”.
2. Ask for permission politely.

Role-play, request songs, magic words practice.

7

Retelling Stories

Tell & retell short stories

1. Listen to a short story.
2. Retell story in sequence.
3. Answer story questions.

Stories on climate change, safety, inclusion.

8

Introducing Simple Verbs

Identify & use verbs

1. Define a verb.
2. Identify action words.
3. Use verbs in sentences.

Action verbs: run, jump, eat, play.

9

Singular & Plural Forms

Identify singular & plural

1. Differentiate singular & plural.
2. Use ‘s’ to form plurals.

Objects: ball/balls, cat/cats, etc.

10

Writing Letters (N–Z)

Write clearly & legibly

1. Write letters N–Z in upper & lower case.
2. Observe spacing & letter formation.

Tracing, handwriting practice, digital apps.

11

REVISION WEEK

Revise second term topics

Comprehensive review of Weeks 1–10.

Quiz games, group activities, story retelling.

12

EXAMINATION WEEK

Assess second term learning

Written & oral tests.

Curriculum-based assessment.

1

Syllable Awareness

Identify syllables in words

1. Count syllables in words.
2. Break words into syllables.
3. Clap per syllable.

Syllable games, word lists (e.g., com-pu-ter).

2

Concept of Print (Advanced)

Explain book features

1. Identify author, title, illustrator.
2. Differentiate text from images.
3. Care for books.

Book parts, print awareness, library visit simulation.

3

Common Objects (Description)

Describe objects in detail

1. Use color, size, shape to describe.
2. Compare objects.
3. Draw & label objects.

Adjectives: big/small, round/square, red/blue.

4

Polite Requests & Commands Review

Use commands & requests in context

1. Give clear commands.
2. Make polite requests in scenarios.
3. Role-play in groups.

School, home, and community scenarios.

5

Articles “A” and “An”

Use articles correctly

1. Identify when to use “a” or “an”.
2. Use articles in sentences.
3. Sort objects by article.

“a book”, “an apple”, article sorting games.

6

Comprehension & Retelling

Read & comprehend longer texts

1. Read short paragraphs.
2. Answer written questions.
3. Dramatize story parts.

Paragraphs on national values, friendship, health.

7

Handwriting Practice

Write clearly & legibly

1. Copy sentences neatly.
2. Observe spacing.
3. Write ascending/descending letters.

Sentence copying, spacing rules, letter alignment.

8

Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs Review

Use basic grammar in sentences

1. Construct simple sentences.
2. Identify nouns, pronouns, verbs.
3. Oral sentence formation.

Sentence building blocks, oral drills.

9

Phonics & Blending Review

Blend sounds into words

1. Review letter sounds A–Z.
2. Blend CVC words.
3. Play online phonics games.

CVC words: cat, dog, pen, hat; digital phonics tools.

10

Integrated Language Practice

Use English in everyday situations

1. Greet, introduce, request, describe.
2. Participate in conversation.
3. Show confidence in speaking.

Role-play: market, school, home conversations.

11

General Revision

Consolidate year’s learning

Review all themes from Terms 1–3.

Interactive revision: songs, games, worksheets.

12

Final Examination & Closing

Assess overall yearly achievement

Written, oral, and practical exams.

Comprehensive evaluation based on curriculum outcomes.