Table of Contents

A Stylistic Review of the Domestication of English Language in Chimamanda

Ngozi Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus

Maria Olanrewaju Ewulo                                                                                                         1-14

Promoting Learning in Early Years Using Folktales in Classroom

Buzome Chukwuemeke & Iweribor V.N.                                                                                 15-24

Process-Oriented Writing Strategies and Students’ Achievement in Writing

Skills in Junior Secondary Schools in Abuja

Kosemani, I.C., Chukeuggu, C.O.C. & Ala, B.B.                                                                                    25-45

Teachers as Classroom Managers: Counselling Psychological Perspective

Mohammed Mahmoud Baba                                                                                                  46-54

Teaching Mathematics for Creativity in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects

Anyor, Joseph Wuave and Omenka, Jerry Ebere                                                                      55 – 62

Integrating Mathematics and other Disciplines in Nigeria: A Stand for

Curriculum ReformAnyor, Joseph Wuave                                                                                                              63 – 70                                                                                                                                                            

INTEGRATING MATHEMATICS AND OTHER DISCIPLINES IN NIGERIA: A STAND FOR CURRICULUM REFORM

Anyor, Joseph Wuave

Department of Science Education

Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi Benue State, Nigeria

Email: ate2014&@gmail.com, ornguj@yahoo.com

Abstract: The application of mathematics knowledge and skills in all facets of human endeavour calls for integrating the subject with other disciplines. It is likely to bring out the usefulness of mathematics more glaring in teaching and learning situations and application in real life situations. The paper discusses integrating mathematics with other disciplines in Nigeria to facilitate appropriate solution of societal problems. The paper further analysis the integration of mathematics and other disciplines in Nigeria and points out how much is needed to be done. The relationship between mathematics and other disciplines is clearly brought out to cover all human fields of study and work including agriculture, material science, among others. The need for curricular reforms in Nigeria is stressed. It is therefore suggested that curriculum developers should try to close the gap existing between mathematics and other disciplines for effective application of mathematics to ensure socio-economic, scientific and technological development among others. The method used in teaching should be experiential with well trained teachers.

TEACHING MATHEMATICS FOR CREATIVITY IN NIGERIA: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

Anyor, Joseph Wuave and Omenka, Jerry Ebere

Department of Science Education, University of Agriculture, Makurdi

Department of Curriculum and Teaching, Benue State University, Makurdi

E-mail: ornguj@yahoo.com, ate2014&@gmail.com, jerryomenka@yahoo.com

Abstract: This paper discusses the need for teaching mathematics for creativity in Nigeria, the need stems from the significant role mathematics plays for the development of science and technology which are in turn indices for national development. The paper addressed the concept of mathematical creativity which is principally to create something new or unusual and the ability to see new relationships between techniques and areas of application as well as making associations between unrelated ideas. This was followed by pointing out the indicators of mathematical creativity as attitudes, abilities and methods of preparation and manipulation of information. The condition under which mathematical creativity can occur were raised such as conducive environment, creative thinking, among others. Also raised was the state of teaching mathematics in Nigeria which is characterized by conventional method of teaching and does not provide for mathematical creativity. However, mathematical creativity in the Nigerian classrooms is to produce citizens with excellent mathematical knowledge to compete favourably in the world economy. The paper equally highlighted the challenges to include overcrowded classrooms which do not augur well for autonomous learning essential for development of mathematical creativity. However, these challenges can be overcome by creating, conducive learning environment aided by teaching technologies to mention but a few. The paper concludes by stressing the fact that creativity is what makes the difference between developed and developing nations. Hence if Nigeria must develop scientifically, socially, economically and technologically her citizens must acquire mathematical creativity.

TEACHERS AS CLASSROOM MANAGERS: COUNSELLING PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

Mohammed Mahmoud Baba

Department of Educational Foundations,

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, Nigeria

E-mail: mmahmoudbaba@gmail.com

Abstract: This paper aimed at portraying the roles of teachers in classroom environment, vis-à-vis the practical relevance of counselling in facilitating his/her work of teaching and management of both human and material resources provided for the purpose of promoting and ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of teaching and learning. The paper addressed some fundamental questions such as who is a teacher? What is teaching?, interplay between teaching and teacher, what management is; teaching and management, classroom management and discipline, modes of classroom interaction and the need for effective counselling  for teachers and the taught (learners). The teacher, the learners and classroom environments are fraught with many and varied problems, today hence the need for counselling approaches and skills. In the light of these practicable recommendations are preferred to address teacher-manager and teacher-counsellor issues, which include cooperation, capacity building and re-orientation among others.

Keywords: – Teacher, Teaching, Classroom, Synergy, Managers, Counselling, Psychological.

PROCESS-ORIENTED WRITING STRATEGIES AND STUDENTS’ ACHIEVEMENT IN WRITING SKILLS IN JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ABUJA

Kosemani, I.C., Chukeuggu, C.O.C. & Ala, B.B.

Department of Curriculum Studies and Educational Technology

University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Abstract: The study investigated students’ achievement in writing skills in the Junior Secondary School, using process-oriented writing strategies (6+1 learning strategy and cooperative learning strategy) and adopted an experimental pre-test post test control design The population of the studywas about twenty nine thousand and ninety nine (29099) students in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja in the 2013/2014session. A sample of 150 students randomly selected into the experimental and control groups were exposed to treatments using the Students Achievement Test on Essay Writing (SATEW) and Students Socio-Economic Status Questionnaire (SSESQ). SATEW and SSESQ were validated by five experts in Language studies in the University of Port Harcourt while their reliabilities were estimated as 0.74 and 0.83 respectively, using the Cronbach Alpha (). The research questions and hypotheses were tested using descriptive statistics of percentage, mean, standard deviation and inferential statistics such as Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) respectively. The study revealed that the mean achievement scores of the students taught using 6+1 learning strategy is greater than the mean achievement scores of those taught using cooperative learning strategy. The mean achievement scores of the experimental group is greater than the mean achievement scores of the control group. At 0.05 significance level and degree of freedom (3,150) there is a significant difference between the mean achievement scores of students taught using 6+1 learning strategy and cooperative learning strategy. No significance difference existed between the mean achievement scores of the male and female students in writing, classified by the instrumental strategies. There is no significance difference between the mean achievements scores of students taught using the instructional strategies, classified by the socio-economic background. Based on these findings, it is recommended that teachers’ of English Language as a second language (ELS) should use the 6+1 Learning Strategy in teaching concepts in writing in order to improve students acquisition, development of writing skills and achievement in that subject area. Teachers should avail themselves of opportunities of use of  alternative pedagogy discussed in seminars, workshops and get trained on the use of the strategies (CLS and 6+1 learning strategy) in order to alleviate students’ difficulties in writing in the study of English Language.  

PROMOTING LEARNING IN EARLY YEARS USING FOLKTALES IN CLASSROOM

Buzome Chukwuemeke & Iweribor V.N.

Department of Early Childhood Care & Education

College of Education, Agbor

Email: ebuzome2013@yahoo.com

Abstract: This paper attempts to explore the importance of using folktale in teaching infant and promoting learning in early years.  It has been observed that most of the children in their early year classes in Nigeria are unable to develop learning skills.  When conventional method of teaching is used in teaching infants, it  only consider  the child as young adult as teaching are carried out without recourse to the tender age of the child, which against the pedagogical process.  This is why the use of folklores/folktales becomes necessary at the child’s early years in order to achieve curricular objectives. This has contributed to the recently observed negative transfer of knowledge that pupils exhibits as they transits from one school level to the other. Nothing compares with proper foundation in teaching the child how to learn well and be ready for the academic life ahead. This paper also examined the concept of folktale as an effective tool in teaching and learning by infant in the early years; it discusses the correct attitudes to be instilled in the child that would facilitate learning readiness; it identify the role of folktales in building reading-readiness, creating interest and building children vocabulary skills in their early years.  Finally it concluded with the recommendations that would aid learning in their early years by eliminating baroness, monotony and promote the needed motivation to learn.            

A STYLISTIC REVIEW OF THE DOMESTICATION OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE IN CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE’S PURPLE HIBISCUS

Maria Olanrewaju Ewulo

Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa; Ogun State

E-mail: ewulomaria1960@gmail.com

Abstract: Adichie in Purple Hibiscus has demonstrated uncommon linguistic skills, after the style of Chinua Achebe, in domesticating English for communicative purpose. This study investigated how the writer has used language to expose problems of religious extremism, political autocracy and cruelty, poor governance of University administration, female gender oppression, which constitute some of the themes in the text. Using a stylistic analysis was found best suited as a frame work of the study. By using Hallidayan Systemic Functional Grammatical Model, the following structures were used to examine how language was used to influence the thought of the reader. These are: Theme and Information Focus; Stylized Speech Analysis; the Meta functions; Mood Structures and Reference. All these features exhibited how Adichie domesticated language to influence the readers’ thought. Finally, Adichie in Purple Hibiscus succeeded in agitating for a change from an old religious, political, corrupt system to a new,  better and progressive