Basic 8 · Ghanaian Language · The Clan System
Threats to the Clan System, Taking Notes on Dialogues and Reading Unfamiliar Texts
In this topic you will discuss the threats to the clan system, take notes while listening to dialogues, and read and understand texts on unfamiliar topics.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Explain the threats to the clan system and how to address them
- Take notes while listening to a dialogue
- Use strategies to understand unfamiliar texts
What you already know
- The importance of the clan system
- Listening to dialogues and reading for main ideas
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Customs & Institutions
- Sub-strand
- The Clan System
- Indicator
- B8.1.3.1.1 – Discuss the importance and threats to the clan system
Introduction
Many young Ghanaians no longer know their clan. Modern life has changed how families live, and the clan system faces serious challenges.
1. Threats to the Clan System
| Threat | Effect |
|---|---|
| urbanisation and migration | relatives live far apart and rarely meet |
| formal education and jobs | people rely on employers instead of the clan |
| Christianity and Islam | some people drop traditional practices |
| modern law | the Intestate Succession Law (PNDCL 111) gives spouses and children shares of property |
| nuclear family lifestyle | people focus on parents and children only |
| land and chieftaincy disputes | family quarrels divide clans |
| loss of language and history | the young do not learn clan stories |
2. Effects of a Weakened Clan
When the clan weakens, people may lose support in times of trouble. Elders feel neglected, and disputes go unsettled. Young people may not know their relatives, which can even lead to marriage between close kin. Valuable history, names and customs may be lost.
3. Positive Changes
Not all change is bad. The Intestate Succession Law protects widows and children, who were sometimes left with nothing under older customs. Modern schools and health services help families. The goal is to keep what is good in the clan system, such as mutual support and identity, while removing what is unfair.
4. Protecting the Clan System
- Teach children their clan, family history and totem.
- Hold regular family meetings and reunions.
- Use modern tools, such as family WhatsApp groups, to stay in touch.
- Settle land and chieftaincy disputes peacefully.
- Record family histories in writing.
- Respect both custom and the law.
New words
- migration
- Movement of people from one place to another.
- nuclear family
- Parents and their children.
- intestate
- Dying without leaving a will.
- reunion
- A meeting of relatives after a long time.
Summary
- Clans are threatened by migration, modern lifestyles, religion, law changes and disputes.
- A weakened clan means less support and lost history.
- Families can protect clans by teaching history, meeting regularly and settling disputes.
Class activity: Clan Protection Plan
- List threats to the clan system in your community.
- Suggest a solution to each.
- Present your plan to the class.
You need: Printed photographs of local clan symbols, Printed family-tree cards, Traditional cloth sample
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which is a threat to the clan system?
- A. urbanisation
- B. totems
- C. family meetings
- D. reunions
Show answer
Answer: urbanisationMoving away.2. PNDCL 111 is the…
- A. Intestate Succession Law
- B. Education Act
- C. Labour Act
- D. Road Traffic Act
Show answer
Answer: Intestate Succession LawInheritance.3. Family WhatsApp groups can help relatives stay in touch.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueModern tools.4. Parents and their children form a ______ family.
Show answer
Answer: nuclearSmall family.5. State three threats to the clan system.
Show answer
Answer: Urbanisation, modern lifestyles, disputes (or religion, loss of language).Any three.6. Explain one good effect of the Intestate Succession Law.
Show answer
Answer: It protects widows and children by giving them a share of property.Fairness.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Listening & Speaking
- Sub-strand
- Listening Comprehension
- Indicator
- B8.2.2.1.1 – Listen to a level-appropriate dialogue attentively and identify key information
Introduction
In a long conversation, you cannot remember everything. Good notes capture what matters.
1. Note-Taking Methods
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| two-column notes | one column for each speaker's points |
| key words | only the most important words |
| question and answer | who, what, when, where, why, how |
| timeline | events in order |
2. Listening Text (read aloud, translated)
Assembly member: "Good morning, Nana. I have come about the broken bridge at the river."
Chief: "Welcome. Yes, the children cannot cross to school in the rainy season."
Assembly member: "The Assembly can provide cement and iron rods, but the community must provide labour and sand."
Chief: "We will agree to that. I will call a communal labour day for next Saturday."
Assembly member: "Good. Work must begin before the rains in April."
3. Sample Notes
| Assembly member | Chief |
|---|---|
| came about the broken bridge | children cannot cross in rainy season |
| Assembly gives cement and iron rods | community gives labour and sand |
| work must begin before April rains | communal labour next Saturday |
4. Using Your Notes
After listening, read through your notes and add missing words. Use them to answer questions or write a summary: "The Assembly member and the chief agreed to repair the bridge before the April rains, with the Assembly providing materials and the community providing labour." Good notes are brief, clear and organised.
New words
- note-taking
- Writing key points while listening.
- two-column notes
- Notes arranged in two columns.
- communal labour
- Community members working together.
- summary
- A short version of the main points.
Summary
- Notes may be two-column, key words, question and answer, or timelines.
- Write brief, clear points and complete them afterwards.
- Use notes to answer questions and write summaries.
Class activity: Note-Taking Practice
- Listen to a dialogue read by classmates.
- Take two-column notes.
- Write a one-sentence summary and compare it with your partner's.
You need: Printed photographs of familiar Ghanaian settings, Printed dialogue cards, Locally made puppets
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Who will provide the labour?
- A. the community
- B. the Assembly
- C. the school
- D. the police
Show answer
Answer: the communityDialogue.2. When must work begin?
- A. before the rains in April
- B. in December
- C. after the rains
- D. next year
Show answer
Answer: before the rains in AprilDialogue.3. Good notes copy every word.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseKey points only.4. Community members working together is ______ labour.
Show answer
Answer: communalTogether.5. Write a one-sentence summary of the dialogue.
Show answer
Answer: The chief and Assembly member agreed to repair the bridge together before the rains.Summary.6. Why are two-column notes useful for dialogues?
Show answer
Answer: They show clearly what each speaker said, so ideas are not mixed up.Organisation.
Lesson 3
- Strand
- Reading
- Sub-strand
- Reading
- Indicator
- B8.3.1.1.1 – Understand the main ideas and supporting points in a range of extended texts on familiar and unfamiliar topics
Introduction
Sometimes a text is about something you know nothing about. Strategies can help you understand it.
1. Strategies for Unfamiliar Texts
| Strategy | How it helps |
|---|---|
| preview | titles and pictures give clues |
| use context | surrounding words show meaning |
| break up long words | smaller parts may be familiar |
| reread | a second reading makes more sense |
| ask questions | who, what, why |
| summarise each paragraph | check your understanding |
2. Reading Passage (translated from a Ghanaian-language text)
"A satellite is a machine that travels round the Earth in space. It is carried up by a powerful rocket. Once it reaches the right height, it keeps moving round the Earth without falling.
Satellites are very useful. They send television pictures, help forecast the weather and allow phones to show our exact position on a map. Farmers can use satellite information to know when rain will come.
In 2017, Ghanaian students at All Nations University built a small satellite called GhanaSat-1, which was sent into space. It showed that young Africans can take part in space science."
3. Understanding the Passage
The word "satellite" may be new, but the first sentence explains it. The heading words "travels round the Earth" help you to picture it. The second paragraph lists uses, and the third gives a proud Ghanaian example. Even if a few words remain unclear, you can still get the main ideas.
4. Building Vocabulary
New topics often need new words. Ghanaian languages may borrow words such as "satellite" or create descriptive terms. When you meet such words, record them in your notebook with a simple explanation. Reading about new topics in your language shows that it can express modern ideas as well as traditional ones.
New words
- satellite
- A machine that travels round the Earth in space.
- preview
- To look over a text before reading.
- borrowed word
- A word taken from another language.
- rocket
- A vehicle that goes into space.
Summary
- Use previewing, context, rereading and questioning to read unfamiliar texts.
- You can understand main ideas even without knowing every word.
- Ghanaian languages can express modern ideas, often using borrowed words.
Class activity: Unfamiliar Text Practice
- Read a passage on a new topic in your language.
- Note the strategies you used.
- Explain the main ideas to another group.
You need: Ghanaian-language storybook, Printed main-idea cards, Exercise books, Pencils
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. A satellite travels…
- A. round the Earth in space
- B. under the sea
- C. on roads
- D. on rivers
Show answer
Answer: round the Earth in spacePassage.2. GhanaSat-1 was built by students at…
- A. All Nations University
- B. University of Ghana
- C. KNUST
- D. Cape Coast
Show answer
Answer: All Nations UniversityPassage.3. Satellites help with weather forecasts.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueParagraph 2.4. A word taken from another language is a ______ word.
Show answer
Answer: borrowedLoanword.5. State three uses of satellites.
Show answer
Answer: Television, weather forecasts, maps on phones.Any three.6. Why is it useful to read about new topics in your Ghanaian language?
Show answer
Answer: It builds vocabulary and shows the language can express modern ideas.Language growth.
Homework
- Interview a family member about your clan and write what is being done to keep it strong.
- Take notes on a conversation in your language.