How to Teach Reading and Comprehension in CBC: A Step-by-Step Lesson Plan for Senior One English

If you are an English teacher in Rwanda, you already know that teaching in the Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC) is not just about finishing the syllabus. It is about making sure learners understand, practice, and apply what they learn. But here is the big challenge: How do you keep 45 learners active and make sure 90% of them achieve the lesson objectives in just 80 minutes?

In this blog, we will walk through a real CBC lesson plan application using the passage “My Amazing School.” This is Lesson 2 in Unit 1 (My Secondary School) for Senior One. I will show you how to move step by step, from greeting your learners to self-evaluation, in a way that is friendly, practical, and easy to apply.

If you have ever felt stuck between theory and practice, this guide is for you. By the end, you will see that with good planning, clear instructions, and humanized teaching, all learners can capture the target.

Why CBC Lesson Planning Matters

Many teachers ask: “Why do I need a detailed lesson plan if I already know my content?”

Here’s the truth: planning is not just for you, it’s for your learners. In a CBC classroom:

• Learners are active participants.
• Every activity is linked to competences.
• Teachers act as guides, not dictators.

When you design a lesson plan well, you make sure no learner is left behind.

Related post: What Are Indicators of Quality Education?

Lesson Overview

• Class: Senior One (S1)
• Unit: My Secondary School
• Lesson Number: 2
• Topic: Reading and Comprehension – “My Amazing School”
• Duration: 80 minutes
• Learners: 45
• Target: At least 90% of learners achieve the objectives

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, learners should be able to:

1. Read the passage fluently with understanding.
2. Identify key details from the passage.
3. Match vocabulary with correct meanings.
4. Answer comprehension questions correctly.
5. Share personal reflections about their school.

Step 1: Introduction (10 minutes)

The way you start your lesson sets the mood for the whole session.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Greet the class and check attendance.
• Ask: “Who can tell us something interesting about your school?”
• Write the lesson title on the board: Reading and Comprehension – My Amazing School.

Learners’ Activities:

• Respond to greetings.
• Share short ideas about their school (e.g., “My school has a big library,” “We play football every Wednesday”).

This warm-up not only builds confidence but also connects the lesson to learners’ lives.

Generic competence: Communication and confidence building.
Cross-cutting issue: Inclusive education (giving every learner a chance to share).

Step 2: Pre-reading Activities (10 minutes)

Learners cannot understand a text if they don’t know the words in it. So, start by introducing vocabulary.

Key words: set up, structure, landscape, assembly, routine, score.

How to teach them:

• Write words on flashcards.
• Give simple sentences: “The school was set up in 1945.”
• Ask learners to repeat and make their own sentences in pairs.

Example: A learner says, “We have a morning assembly every Monday.”

This step helps even weaker learners feel confident before reading.

Step 3: Reading the Passage (15 minutes)

Now move to the main text.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Read the passage aloud once with clear voice and intonation.
• Call 5–6 volunteers to read different paragraphs.
• Guide learners on pronunciation and pacing.

Learners’ Activities:

• Follow silently as the teacher reads.
• Read aloud in turns.

Pro tip: For large classes, ask learners to read in pairs quietly. This ensures everyone reads, not only volunteers.

Step 4: Vocabulary Matching (10 minutes)

After reading, return to vocabulary.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Write two columns (A and B) on the board.
• Ask learners to match words to meanings.

Learners’ Activities:

• Work in pairs or small groups.
• Use their exercise books to write answers.

Example: “Structure = a thing made up of several parts, especially a building.”

Generic competence: Cooperation and teamwork.

Step 5: Comprehension Questions (20 minutes)

This is the heart of the lesson.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Ask learners to answer questions from the passage, starting with simple ones.
• Move around to support weaker learners.
• Give corrective feedback politely.

Learners’ Activities:

• Answer individually, then compare answers in groups.
• Share answers aloud.

Examples of questions:

1. What is the name of the school?
2. When was it started?
3. Which option best describes the school?
4. Which subjects are taught at the school?
5. Which subjects does the narrator like?
6. What subjects do you like and why?

Notice that the questions move from lower-order (remembering) to higher-order (reflecting on their own school). This is pure CBC practice.

Step 6: Critical Thinking (5 minutes)

Ask one deep question:
“Why is Entrepreneurship important in schools?”

Learners discuss in groups and share answers like:

• “It helps us start businesses.”
• “It teaches us to be creative.”
• “We can solve problems in our communities.”

Generic competence: Problem-solving and critical thinking.

Step 7: Conclusion (10 minutes)

A strong ending makes the lesson stick.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Summarize the passage: “My Amazing School is about a learner who loves their school because of the environment, staff, and subjects.”
• Review vocabulary and comprehension answers.
• Give homework: “Write 5–6 sentences about your school.”

Learners’ Activities:

• Share what they enjoyed most about the lesson.

Generic competence: Lifelong learning – linking lesson to real life.

Self-Evaluation

At the end, ask yourself:

• Did 90% of learners answer the questions correctly?
• Did both boys and girls participate?
• Did learners show they can use new words in their own sentences?

If yes, the lesson objectives were achieved.

How to Manage 45 Learners in 80 Minutes

Many teachers worry about big classes. Here are practical CBC tips:

1. Use pair work and group work: This saves time and ensures all learners participate.
2. Move around: Don’t just stay in front. Walk and check learners’ work.
3. Differentiate tasks: Give easier questions to weaker learners and challenging ones to advanced learners.
4. Use peer support:  Pair stronger readers with weaker ones.
5. Keep time: Allocate minutes per activity and stick to them.

External reference: Edutopia – Effective Classroom Strategies

Why This Lesson Works in CBC

This lesson is a perfect CBC application because it:

• Encourages active participation (learners read, discuss, and answer).
• Promotes critical thinking (through reflection questions).
• Ensures competence development, not just knowledge.
• Uses inclusive methods so every learner has a role.

When applied this way, learners don’t just read, they understand, think, and apply.

Final Thoughts

Teaching English in CBC may feel like a challenge at first, especially with large classes. But when you plan carefully, use simple English, and involve all learners, it becomes not just possible but exciting.

Remember, the goal is not only to finish a lesson but to make sure learners can use what they learned.

 Next time you teach reading and comprehension, try this plan. You will see how feedback, teamwork, and clear steps help 90% or more of your learners achieve the lesson objectives.