Sierra Leone Primary School Syllabus (Class 5) - English Language

This document outlines the English Language curriculum for Class 5 in Sierra Leone primary schools. It is structured in terms, covering various aspects of language arts.

Term 1

• Unit 1: The Parts of Speech, Verb Tenses, Singular and Plural, Concord: This unit introduces the eight parts of speech, explores verb tenses (present, past, and future), and explains the rules for forming plurals of nouns. It also covers subject-verb agreement (concord).
• Unit 2: Active and Passive Voices, Continuous Tenses, Uses of Prepositions: This unit delves into active and passive voices, the past continuous tense, and the identification and use of prepositions in sentences.
• Unit 3: Noun Gender, Writing and Reading Skills: This unit explains noun genders (masculine, feminine, neutral), guides essay writing with specific instructions, and develops reading comprehension skills through passage analysis.
• Unit 4: Poem - The Naughty Boy: This unit focuses on appreciating and memorizing the poem "The Naughty Boy," identifying its author, and understanding the moral lesson. (Ref. Adventure into African poetry)

Term 2

• Unit 4: Conjugation of Verbs: This unit explains verb conjugation and provides practice conjugating common verbs.
• Unit 5: Uses of Adverbs, Comparative Adjectives, Synonyms, Question Tags: This unit covers the types and functions of adverbs, comparative adjectives, synonyms and antonyms, and the use of question tags.
• Unit 6: Poem - Dirty Jim: This unit focuses on appreciating and memorizing the poem "Dirty Jim" and recognizing its moral lesson. (Ref. Adventure into African poetry)
• Unit 7: Kinds of Adjectives, The Article, Idioms, Poem 'Mr. Nobody': This unit explores different kinds of adjectives, definite and indefinite articles, the use of idioms, and appreciation of the poem "Mr. Nobody."

Term 3

• Unit 8: Perfect Tenses, Noun Clauses, Interjection: This unit covers perfect tenses, different types of noun clauses, and the use of interjections in sentences.
• Unit 8: Conjunctions: This unit focuses on understanding and using different types of conjunctions in sentences.
• Unit 9: Kinds of Sentences: This unit explores different kinds of sentences (assertive, interrogative, exclamatory, imperative) and the use of idioms and proverbs.
• Unit 10: Prepositions, Punctuations: This unit reviews prepositions and their use in sentences, and explains the meaning and application of different punctuation marks.
• Unit 11: Vocabulary, Writing Skills - Letter Writing: This unit emphasizes vocabulary building, using dictionaries, and writing simple letters with correct formatting.

Additional Notes:

• The syllabus emphasizes practical application of grammar rules through various activities like sentence construction, oral drills, and written exercises.
• Literature is an integral part of the curriculum, with prescribed poems, prose, and drama texts for each term. Students are encouraged to analyze texts, identify literary devices, and relate themes to real-life situations.
• The syllabus promotes critical thinking skills, encouraging students to analyze arguments, identify fallacies, and form their own opinions.
• Oral English skills are developed through activities like oral narratives, debates, and presentations.
• The syllabus prepares students for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) by focusing on exam preparation techniques and self-reliant answering of questions.

This syllabus provides a comprehensive framework for English Language instruction in Class 5, aiming to develop well-rounded language skills in students. It encourages active learning, critical thinking, and the application of language skills in real-world contexts. The syllabus also includes references to the Lower Primary syllabus, indicating a building upon previous knowledge. The provided link offers a detailed view of the entire curriculum, including other primary levels and subjects.