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Basic 9 · Social Studies · Term Preparation

Preparing for the Term in Social Studies

In this topic you will prepare for the term by recalling your earlier learning on the environment, family and citizenship, and by planning community-based project work.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Recall key ideas from Basic 8 Social Studies
  • Explain how Social Studies prepares you for adult life
  • Plan an investigation into a community issue

What you already know

  • Social Studies, Basic 8

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Lesson 1

Strand
Environment
Sub-strand
Term Preparation

Introduction

In a few years, you will vote, work and perhaps raise a family. Social Studies prepares you for all of this.

1. What You Have Learned

Review of Social Studies
ThemeIdeas
environmentwater pollution, conserving energy
family lifefamily systems, inheritance
citizenshipdecisions, volunteerism, human rights
Ghanagovernment, history, people

2. Why This Matters Now

You are coming to the end of basic education. Social Studies helps you to understand the society you will soon be a full part of. This term, you will consider how air pollution and energy use affect our lives, how Ghana's natural and human resources can be used for development, and what marriage and parenting demand of adults. These are not distant ideas. You will face them yourself.

3. Ghana in Numbers

Ghana at a glance
FactDetail
capitalAccra
independence6 March 1957
republic1 July 1960
regions16
population (2021 census)about 30.8 million
main exportsgold, cocoa, oil

Facts like these help you to think about the country's strengths and needs. A large part of the population is young. This can be a great asset if young people are educated, healthy and employed. It can be a problem if they are not. That is why the topics in this term matter for you.

Independence Arch in Accra
Figure 1: Independence Arch List three things you want to change in Ghana.

4. Being an Informed Citizen

Good citizens stay informed. Read newspapers, listen to the news and check the facts. Follow what your assembly and your Member of Parliament are doing. Understand both sides of a debate. On social media, do not share what you have not checked. You can only make wise choices when you have good information, and the health of a democracy depends on this.

5. Preparing for the B.E.C.E.

Social Studies questions require facts and reasoning. Revise key terms. Use Ghanaian examples in your answers. Practise explaining causes, effects and solutions. When a question says "explain", give reasons, and when it says "discuss", show more than one side. Past questions are a helpful guide. Make notes as you go, and review them each week.

New words

citizen
A member of a country.
democracy
Government by the people.
census
An official count of population.
development
Improvement in people's lives.

Summary

  • Social Studies prepares you for adult life.
  • Ghana's youth is an important resource.
  • Informed citizens make wise choices.

Class activity: Ghana Quiz

  1. Prepare ten questions on Ghana.
  2. Quiz another group.
  3. Check your facts.

You need: Map of Ghana, Local newspaper, Printed photographs of a Ghanaian community

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. Ghana became independent in…

    • A. 1957
    • B. 1960
    • C. 1992
    • D. 1900
    Show answer
    Answer: 1957History.

  2. 2. How many regions does Ghana have?

    • A. 16
    • B. 10
    • C. 12
    • D. 20
    Show answer
    Answer: 16Fact.

  3. 3. A young population can be an asset.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TrueDevelopment.

  4. 4. An official count of population is a ______.

    Show answer
    Answer: censusTerm.

  5. 5. State two things good citizens do.

    Show answer
    Answer: They stay informed and check facts.Any two.

  6. 6. When can a large youth population become a problem?

    Show answer
    Answer: When young people lack education, health care or jobs.Reasoning.

Lesson 2

Strand
Environment
Sub-strand
Term Preparation

Introduction

Your community is a classroom. Its problems and strengths are waiting to be investigated.

1. Steps in an Investigation

  1. Identify an issue.
  2. Write a clear question.
  3. Choose methods of gathering information.
  4. Collect the information.
  5. Analyse it.
  6. Share your findings.
  7. Take action.

2. Methods of Research

Methods of research
MethodUseLimitation
observationseeing what happensmay miss causes
interviewdetailed viewsfew people
questionnairemany responsesshort answers
documentsrecords and statisticsmay be out of date

Use more than one method, in order to check your findings. For example, if you study air pollution, you might observe burning rubbish, interview residents and read reports by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Students interviewing a trader
Figure 2: Interviewing a trader Write three questions for an interview.

3. Civic Action

Civic action means doing something to improve your community. It might be a letter to your assembly member, a clean-up or a campaign. Effective civic action is lawful, peaceful and based on facts. It is important to work with community leaders, and not against them. Article 41 of the 1992 Constitution says that every citizen has a duty to protect the environment and to promote the interests of Ghana.

4. Skills for Discussion

A discussion on a public issue needs respect. Listen to others, and do not interrupt. Use evidence, and accept that people may differ. Do not attack anyone's tribe, religion or party. Good leaders are often people who can listen, bring others together and find solutions that many can accept. You can begin to develop these skills in class.

5. Choosing Your Project

Project ideas for the term
TopicProject
air pollutioncampaign against burning rubbish
energyschool energy audit
resourcesstudy of a local resource
human resourcescareer talk with local workers
familysurvey on good parenting

Choose something you can complete by the end of term. Decide now who will be in your group, and what each member will do. Keep a project file. Short, regular meetings will help your group to stay on track.

New words

investigation
A careful search for facts.
civic action
Action to improve the community.
questionnaire
A list of written questions.
lawful
Allowed by the law.

Summary

  • Investigations follow clear steps.
  • Use more than one research method.
  • Civic action is lawful, peaceful and factual.

Class activity: Issue Choice

  1. List community issues.
  2. Choose one to investigate.
  3. Write a question about it.

You need: Map of Ghana, Local newspaper, Printed photographs of a Ghanaian community

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. A list of written questions is a…

    • A. questionnaire
    • B. budget
    • C. census
    • D. diary
    Show answer
    Answer: questionnaireTerm.

  2. 2. Effective civic action is…

    • A. lawful and peaceful
    • B. violent
    • C. secret
    • D. rude
    Show answer
    Answer: lawful and peacefulTerm.

  3. 3. Using more than one method checks findings.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TrueResearch.

  4. 4. A careful search for facts is an ______.

    Show answer
    Answer: investigationTerm.

  5. 5. Name three research methods.

    Show answer
    Answer: Observation, interview and questionnaire.Any three.

  6. 6. What does Article 41 say about citizens?

    Show answer
    Answer: They have a duty to protect the environment and promote Ghana's interests.Constitution.

Homework

  1. Write down an issue in your community and two questions on it.
Preparing for the Term in Social Studies – Basic 9 Social Studies Notes | sirbus