NPIB/Honors World Geography and History 2015-16
Summer Reading Assignment
Mrs. Tucker, Ms. Lozen
Introduction and Purpose: The World Geography and History teachers ask that you read Things Fall
Apart by Chinua Achebe over summer break. This story is considered a classic bestseller. Written in
1958, Achebe tells the story of his native country, Nigeria, around the time of European colonization.
Because of this book, Achebe has been called the father of modern African literature. The book will provide
a foundation for study of Africa, early in the first semester.
The book is available at all major book stores and online.
This project will be due within the first few weeks of class, but not on the first day of school.
Overview: You will use the information contained in Things Fall Apart along with outside research to create
a poster that illustrates your understanding of historical and contemporary Nigeria.
Instructions:
As you read Things Fall Apart, accumulate information in order to complete the following assignment.
Complete two topics in both category A and in category B.
Category A topics (Choose 2 of 3):
1. Describe the religious motives of the European missionaries. What values and moral beliefs did
they bring to Nigeria? Discuss and cite examples from at least two chapters of the book in an 8-10
sentence paragraph.
2. List and cite five quotes from the book which best demonstrate the conflicts that result from the
arrival of the white Europeans. Include examples of both conflicts within Ibo society and between
the Ibo and Europeans. Then, explain these conflicts in an 8-10 sentence paragraph.
3. Locate and summarize one current event article about Nigeria from the past six months. Include the
source (article title, author, newspaper or magazine title, and date). Discuss connections between
your article and Things Fall Apart. Summary and discussion should be 8-10 sentences in length.
Category B topics (Choose 2 of 4):
4. Describe everyday life in an Ibo village at the turn of the 20th century in an 8-10 sentence paragraph.
Use examples from the book and your own research. Cite any outside sources you use.
5. Create a thorough map of a typical Ibo village after the arrival of Europeans, as shown through
Things Fall Apart. Include, label, and color 6-8 elements. Explain your map with a 3-4 sentence
paragraph.
6. Choose one tradition (other than marriage) of the Ibo culture shown in Things Fall Apart and
compare/contrast it with American culture in an 8-10 sentence paragraph.
7. Illustrate your favorite scene or event from Things Fall Apart. Include a short paragraph summary
(6-8 sentences) that describes why you chose it at as your favorite.
Formatting Requirements:
Use a piece of 14” by 22” poster board (this is ½ a piece of standard
poster board). Divide your poster into four equal sections, as shown at
right. Place your two category A topics on the top row and your two
category B topics on the bottom row. All responses must be typed
using single-spaced, 12 point Arial or Times New Roman font. Include a
title and your name. Make sure your project shows full effort and
attention to detail.
Project Title / your name
**Additionally, you should take notes on the main events and characters of the
story. We will have an open note quiz over the book, as part of our Africa unit.**
Name____________________________Block________
NPIB/Honors World Studies
Things Fall Apart Summer Homework Grading Rubric
Formatting
Category B Topics (choose 2 of 4)
Category A Topics (choose 2 of 3)
Criteria
Total___________ /55
Points earned and comments
1
Describe the religious motives of the European missionaries.
What values and moral beliefs did they bring to Nigeria? Discuss
and cite examples from at least two chapters of the book in an 810 sentence paragraph.
/10
2
List and cite five quotes from the book which best demonstrate
the conflicts that result from the arrival of the white Europeans.
Include examples of both conflicts within Ibo society and between
the Ibo and Europeans. Then, explain these conflicts in an 8-10
sentence paragraph.
/10
3
Locate and summarize one current event article about Nigeria
from the past six months. Include the source (article title, author,
newspaper or magazine title, and date). Discuss connections
between your article and Things Fall Apart. Summary and
discussion should be 8-10 sentences in length.
/10
4
Describe everyday life in an Ibo village at the turn of the 20th
century in an 8-10 sentence paragraph. Use examples from the
book and your own research. Cite any outside sources you use.
/10
5
Create a thorough map of a typical Ibo village after the arrival of
Europeans, as shown through Things Fall Apart. Include, label,
and color 6-8 elements. Explain your map in a 3-4 sentence
pargraph.
/10
6
Choose one tradition of the Ibo culture (other than marriage)
shown in Things Fall Apart and compare/contrast it with American
culture in an 8-10 sentence paragraph.
/10
7
Illustrate your favorite scene or event from Things Fall Apart.
Include a short paragraph summary (6-8 sentences) that
describes why you chose it at as your favorite.
/10
Use a piece of 14” by 22” poster board (this is ½ a piece of standard
poster board). Divide your poster into four equal sections. Place your
two category A topics on the top row and your two category B topics
on the bottom row. All responses must be typed using single-spaced,
12 point Arial or Times New Roman font. Include a title and your
name. Make sure your project shows full effort and attention to
detail.
/15