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Basic 9 · Social Studies · Term Project

Term Project: Presenting and Revising

In this topic you will present your project, take civic action and revise the term's topics in preparation for assessment.

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

  • Present findings and take civic action
  • Evaluate your project
  • Revise the term's topics

What you already know

  • Investigating a community issue

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 Project

Introduction

Your findings can make a difference, but only if the right people hear them.

1. Presenting Your Findings

  1. State your issue and question.
  2. Explain how you collected information.
  3. Show your results.
  4. Explain what they mean.
  5. Recommend action.
  6. Answer questions.

You might present to your class, at a school assembly or to community leaders. Use a poster, drama or short talk. Speak clearly, and use simple words. Use your data to support your points.

2. Civic Action

Forms of civic action
ActionExample
letterwriting to the assembly member
petitioncollecting signatures
campaignposters or radio messages
community workclean-up or tree planting
meetinginviting leaders to discuss

A letter to a public officer should be formal. Address it correctly, state the problem, give your evidence and suggest a solution. End politely. Always remain lawful and respectful. Civic action should never involve violence or insults.

Students speaking with a local leader
Figure 1: Meeting a local leader Draft a letter to your assembly member.

3. Evaluating the Project

Evaluation checklist
CriterionQuestion
issueWas it important and clear?
evidenceWas data accurate and from several sources?
actionWas it realistic and useful?
teamworkDid all members contribute?
respectWere people treated fairly?

4. Following Up

Do not stop at the presentation. Follow up on any letters, and thank those who responded. If leaders promise action, ask politely about progress. Keep a record of what happened. Change can take time, and it needs patience. Even if the whole problem is not solved, you have shown that young people can make a difference, and you have learned how society works.

5. Personal Reflection

Write about what you have learned, and how you have changed. Did you understand your community better? Did you feel able to make a difference? What would you do differently? These reflections will help you in later life as a citizen, a worker and perhaps a parent. They are valuable in themselves, and are not merely a task for the term.

6. Celebrating the Work

End the project by thanking the people who helped you. Share your results with those you interviewed, so that they can see how their answers were used.

New words

petition
A signed request to an authority.
follow up
To check on what happened next.
reflection
Careful thinking about experience.
recommendation
A suggestion for action.

Summary

  • Present your evidence and recommendations.
  • Take lawful and peaceful civic action.
  • Follow up and reflect.

Class activity: Civic Forum

  1. Present your projects.
  2. Invite a local leader.
  3. Agree on one action.

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 signed request to an authority is a…

    • A. petition
    • B. census
    • C. budget
    • D. tariff
    Show answer
    Answer: petitionTerm.

  2. 2. Civic action should be…

    • A. lawful and respectful
    • B. violent
    • C. rude
    • D. secret
    Show answer
    Answer: lawful and respectfulRule.

  3. 3. Follow-up is part of civic action.

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

  4. 4. A suggestion for action is a ______.

    Show answer
    Answer: recommendationTerm.

  5. 5. State three parts of a letter to an assembly member.

    Show answer
    Answer: The problem, the evidence and a suggested solution.Any three.

  6. 6. Why is follow-up important?

    Show answer
    Answer: It checks that promises are kept and that change happens.Civic.

Lesson 2

Strand
Environment
Sub-strand
Term Project

Introduction

Before the term ends, let us bring together all that you have learned.

1. Term Summary

Term summary
TopicKey ideas
air pollutionsources, health effects, solutions
global energyenergy mix, gender, alternatives
measuring energymeters, conservation
natural resourcesrenewable, non-renewable, value addition
human resourceseducation, health, brain drain
marriagetypes, functions, challenges
parentingresponsibilities, conflict, communication

2. Sample Questions

Sample question 1

Explain three ways of developing human resources in Ghana.

  1. Education gives knowledge and skills.
  2. Health care keeps workers productive.
  3. Training prepares people for jobs.

Answer: Education, health care and training

Sample question 2

State three effects of air pollution on health.

  1. Asthma.
  2. Pneumonia.
  3. Eye and throat irritation.

Answer: Asthma, pneumonia and irritation

Students studying together
Figure 2: Studying together Answer one sample question in full.

3. Examination Skills

Read the question twice, and underline command words. "State" asks for a short point. "Explain" asks for reasons. "Discuss" asks for more than one side. Give Ghanaian examples, and name laws and institutions. For example, mention the EPA, PURC, Act 560 or the Domestic Violence Act. Write in full sentences, and use paragraphs. Leave time to check your work.

4. Key Terms

Key terms to know
TermMeaning
pollutanta harmful substance
energy mixa country's range of energy sources
brain drainskilled people leaving
value additionprocessing goods
social institutionan established way of organising life
parentingraising a child

5. Looking to the Future

You are nearing the end of basic school. Soon, you will make choices about your studies and your life. Keep following the news. Serve your community. Protect the environment. Treat family with respect. Over the holidays, take part in community activities, help at home and keep up with your revision. Ghana's future depends on the young people who are now sitting in classrooms like yours.

6. A Final Reminder

Try to link each topic to something in your community. Examples from real life will help you to remember what you have learned, and they will also make your answers stronger.

New words

command word
A word telling you what to do.
revise
To study again.
summary
A short account of main points.
future
The time to come.

Summary

  • Review the environment, resources and family life.
  • Use command words and Ghanaian examples.
  • Use your knowledge in serving your community.

Class activity: End-of-Term Quiz

  1. Answer ten mixed questions.
  2. Mark your work.
  3. Note two topics to revise.

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. "Explain" asks for…

    • A. reasons
    • B. a drawing
    • C. a date
    • D. a list only
    Show answer
    Answer: reasonsCommand word.

  2. 2. Which law protects children?

    • A. Act 560
    • B. Act 815
    • C. Act 832
    • D. Act 703
    Show answer
    Answer: Act 560Law.

  3. 3. Naming Ghanaian examples strengthens an answer.

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

  4. 4. Skilled people leaving a country is brain ______.

    Show answer
    Answer: drainTerm.

  5. 5. State three topics covered this term.

    Show answer
    Answer: Air pollution, natural resources and marriage.Any three.

  6. 6. Why does the future of Ghana depend on its young people?

    Show answer
    Answer: They are the next workers, parents and leaders.Reasoning.

Homework

  1. Write a summary of the term's work and a revision timetable.
Term Project: Presenting and Revising – Basic 9 Social Studies Notes | sirbus