Africa Project
Name: ____________________________ Block: _______________
In this project, students will choose a topic in Africa to research. A list of topics/ideas will be provided.
Students can choose other ideas that are not on the list. However, they must get permission from
Mrs. Lee first. Students will have some class time for the research portion but this enrichment project
will be done mostly outside of class.
Requirements:
1. Once you have your topic picked out, have your parents sign the paper and return it to the
team. 10 points.
2. Start to do research on your topic. You will have computer time at school.
3. Keep a diary of the time and days that you work on your project at home. You will turn this in
for 20 points. You will need to work on this project for about 6-10 hours over 5 to 6 different
days.
4. Once the project is done, we will have a culture fair for students to display their work.
5. See rubric for grading and more requirements.
Sample of diary:
Days
Times
Nov. 12
6-7 pm (1 hour)
Nov. 14
4-7 pm (3 hours)
Nov. 16
Nov. 17
5-6 pm (1 hour)
5-7 pm (2 hours)
Nov. 19
4-5 pm (1 hour)
Totals:
5 days
8 hours
What was done
Went to buy tri-fold poster
Cut out large letters for title
Draw African countries and colored them
Pasted photos around map
Went to Grandpa’s to get items
For show and tell
Wrote final version of the diary
And put final touches on the poster
Cost (if any)
$3.50
none
none
none
Tri-fold poster of African Countries
$3.50
none
none
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Topics/ideas for Africa Projects



Large maps of the continent: physical, political or informational
Flags of the African nations
Models of Africa’s physical features: Sahara Desert, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Victoria Falls, the
rainforests, the Great Rift Valley, etc.
 Show and Tell displays of African items with explanation cards
 Music
 Make African masks, drums, dress, food, etc.
 African games
 Make displays for the followings:
Colonies
Slavery
HIV/AIDS
Water Crisis (H2Africa)
The Apartheid
Blood Diamonds
Human Trafficking
North African Country Revolts
Genocide (Rwanda/Darfur)
Poverty/Starvation
Poaching
Malnutrition
Civil War
Toxic waste disposal
Health care
Corrupt government
Erosion deforestation
Desertification
Sanitation
Education—literacy rate for each African country
Economy—GDP per capita for each African country
Pollution
African holidays
Famous people
Origin of man
Nelson Mandela
Websites to use:
1.
AASD website:
a. Under Social Studies, click on CultureGrams
b. Under Encyclopedias, click on Britannica (Middle School) or Elementary School
2.
3.
4.
5.
www.pbs.org/wnet/africa/tools/index.html
http://www.rebirth.co.za/Kuba/royal_mask_history.htm
African masks
http://www-cs-students.stanford.edu/~cale/cs201/apartheid.hist.html Apartheid
http://www.avert.org/hiv-aids-africa.htm
Aids/HIV
6.
http://www.africanculturalcenter.org/4_5slavery.html Slavery in Africa
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Africa Project Rubric
Name: ______________________ Block: ______________
CATEGORY
20
15
10
5
Attractiveness
The project is
exceptionally
attractive in terms of
design, layout, and
neatness.
The project is
attractive in terms of
design, layout and
neatness.
The project is
acceptably attractive
though it may be a
bit messy.
The project is
distractingly messy
or very poorly
designed. It is not
attractive.
Knowledge
Gained
The finished product
clearly shows
student’s effort and
understanding of the
topic
The finished product
shows student’s
effort and
understanding of the
topic
The finished product
shows some effort
and understanding
of the topic
The finished product
shows little effort
and understanding
of the topic
Graphics Originality
Several of the
graphics used on the
project reflect a
exceptional degree
of student creativity
in their creation
and/or display.
One or two of the
graphics used on the
project reflect
student creativity in
their creation and/or
display.
The graphics are
made by the
student, but are
based on the
designs or ideas of
others.
No graphics made
by the student are
included.
Title
Title can be read
from 6 ft. away and
is quite creative.
Title can be read
from 6 ft. away and
describes content
well.
Title can be read
from 4 ft. away and
describes the
content well.
The title is too small
and/or does not
describe the content
of the poster well.
Information is mostly Some information
Research & Main Information was
relevant to the topic relevant to the topic seems irrelevant or
Point Outline
Information wasn’t
relevant to the topic.
and easy to
understand
and easy to
understand
reader doesn’t
understand
connection to the
topic.
Total points: __________/10
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Schedule
Monday, December 10
Africa project kick off in the auditorium at Resource—block 3 and 4 shorten (40 min)
Introduction, speakers from Africa and show samples of project
Tuesday, December 11
Students explore project ideas with mobile lab in Geography. Need 2 to 3 ideas. Students meet
with advisors during Resource to narrow down topic choices. Steer kids in the right direction.
Students have until Friday, December 14 to decide their topics and get signature from advisor.
Students bring the project requirements/handouts home for parents to read and sign.
Friday, December 14
Barlow Planetarium trip (half day)
When students are at Wilson, they will have 1 hour for project research and 1 hour for video.
(2 hours for research if needed)
Monday, December 17
Students bring to school the “Parent Notification” paper that has the parent signature. 10
points for getting the paper signed and returned.
Tuesday, December 18 and 19
Students will work on research in Geography or Science if necessary.
December 20 to January 7
Students work on project at home and during Resource
January 8, 9 and 10
Block 3 and 4 will be shortened to give students time to work during Resource (50 min).
Friday, January 11
Project Fair
Project set up in individual rooms with rotation schedule. AM—movie with set up at 11 and
form questions. PM—rotations (6 or 7 rooms).
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Schedule
Monday, December 10
Africa project kick off in the auditorium at Resource—block 3 and 4 shorten (40 min)
Introduction, speakers from Africa and show samples of project
Tuesday, December 11
Students explore project ideas with mobile lab in Geography. Need 2 to 3 ideas. Students meet with advisors during Resource
to narrow down topic choices. Steer kids in the right direction.
Students have until Friday, December 14 to decide their topics and get signature from advisor.
Students bring the project requirements/handouts home for parents to read and sign.
Friday, December 14
Barlow Planetarium trip (half day)
When students are at Wilson, they will have 1 hour for project research and 1 hour for video. (2 hours for research if needed)
Monday, December 17
Students bring to school the “Parent Notification” paper that has the parent signature. 10 points for getting the paper signed
and returned.
Tuesday, December 18 and 19
Students will work on research in Geography or Science if necessary.
December 20 to January 7
Students work on project at home and during Resource
January 8, 9 and 10
Block 3 and 4 will be shortened to give students time to work during Resource (50 min).
Friday, January 11
Project Fair
Project set up in individual rooms with rotation schedule. AM—movie with set up at 11 and form questions. PM—rotations (6
or 7 rooms).
Africa Project Parent Notification
Parents/guardians,
Synergy’s team project for second quarter is on Africa. The students will be working individual on this
enrichment project mostly outside of class. Family members are encouraged to assist. Please read
project requirements, rubrics and topic choices and sign and date below. Return this sheet to the
team teachers for 10 points.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Name of student: __________________________
Topic/idea for Africa project _______________________________________________
Due date____________________________
Student signature: _____________________________________
Advisor signature: ______________________________________
Parent or Guardian Signature: _________________________________
Date:________________________________________________
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