Subject/Unit/Lesson: Social Science/World Travel/Africa - climate
Date: Day 16
Grade Level: 7th
Materials:
 Africa Intro video clip: (from BBC)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OgIxoLdk1Q
 Africa climate diversity map Handout
 World map
 Classroom textbooks
Standards/Behavioral Objectives:
SS 8.3.2.a Analyze physical and human characteristics of places and regions (e.g.,
climate, language)
SS 8.3.3.a Compare and contrast various biomes/climates (e.g., rainforest,
grasslands, forests)
Objective:
By the end of this lesson Students will be able to …
 Compare the different climate regions of Africa, using their climate map
 Understand the biodiversity of the many African countries and the
importance of the question “where” when discussing Africa to a 100%
accuracy.
Anticipatory Set:
Africa Intro video clip: (from BBC)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OgIxoLdk1Q
Procedure:
 After Introducing the students to Africa with video- Ask students to write the
word Africa vertically on their paper and write an acrostic poem about what
comes into their minds when they think of Africa.
 As a class, ask students to share what they wrote- record students' responses
 As students respond, ask the question, "Where in Africa?" (Ex., if a response
is "elephants roaming free" ask "Where in Africa? In what country(s) on the
continent of Africa do elephants roam free?")
 Look at a world map to see how large the African continent is compared to
the United States.
o Ask the class ,“How much more diversity might exist on a continent
the size of Africa?”
o Ask students “if there is such a difference in environments in the
United States, how much diversity must exist on the African
continent?”

Africa climate diversity map Handout – Have students map out climate
regions of Africa (using their classroom textbooks) to understand how
diverse the continent is. They should read about the climate zone and then
map it on their map - this should include a key). Have them label the country
names when they are finished, whatever they don’t get done is homework.
Assessment:
Students will be assessed on their Handouts and their contribution to class
discussion.
Closure:
Make certain that students are aware that Africa is a continent made up of 54
countries, so the question of “where” is an important one.
Africa, the second largest continent in the world, is a very diverse continent. This
diversity is articulated in its climate as it is in it’s geography. Tomorrow we be
discovering the many geographical features of the continent.
Sources:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/africa/tools/where/getstarted.html#1
THE DIVERSE CLIMATES OF AFRICA
1. Tropical Rainforest
In the tropical rainforest the climate is characterized by heavy annual rainfall and the
air has a very high rate of humidity. It is generally hot during all year round. There is
also little variation in terms of seasons as opposed to Europe or North America
climate with a climate cyclic and where there are clear seasons.
Higher precipitation is a characteristic of a tropical rainforest. The average
temperature around the year is above 25°C.
Another important aspect of tropical rainforest is the higher rate of diversity for
animals and plants. Tropical rainforest can be found in South West of Africa towards the
Central Africa and on the Eastern coast of Madagascar. These regions are known to have
important biodiversity hot spots.
2. Humid and subtropical
The climate in humid and subtropical zone is characterized by hot and humid
summer with cool winters. It receives rainfall (or precipitation) all year round with
the highest amount during summer season. The humidsubtropical climate occurs on
the southeastern coast of the continent (e.g. South Africa).
The zone’s biodiversity is highly determined by the climate.
3. Mediterranean
In the Mediterranean region the climate is characterized by dry and hot summers
while winters are wet and mild. The warmest months seem to occur when
temperatures are above 10C. The amount of rainfall is higher during the summer
period which runs from May –August every year.
Mediterranean climate has a higher rate of biological diversity during summer period
as the temperature is favorable to species of plants and animals.
The Northeastern part of the continent is where Mediterranean climate is found. (E.g.
Morocco).
4. Arid and Desert
The Desert climate is characterized by extreme heat and aridity caused by stagnant
continental air masses. The temperature can reach a high point during day time and
can reach a low point (- 2 C) at night time. Precipitation occurs rarely due to high
temperature which leads to a higher rate of evapotranspiration. This means that
the rate of evapotranspiration (loss of water) is much higher than the water uptake.
Biodiversity in these areas is very limited to few species of plants and animals. Very few
of them can adapt to extreme climates of Arid Zones and Desert. Species have acquired
certain characteristics (features) that help them to survive in their environment. For
example cactus plants possess small and spiky leaves that reduce evaporation. They
also have grayish/silver color to reflect heat of the sun and reduce water loss.
5. Tropical Savanna
This climatic region is sometimes called tropical wet-and-dry region. The region is
characterized by an annual precipitation (rainfall) of 6 months followed straight after
by a dry season. Tropical Savanna has a tropical part of biodiversity and a desert part.
Biodiversity of this region comprises species, which can adapt to tropical and desert
environments at the same time. This climatic region can be found from West to Central
and down to South Central of the African Continent.
6. Marine
The marine climate, like the humid subtropical climate occurs on the southeastern
section of the continent. It receives rainfall year round with the heaviest amount
during summer period.
Most coastal parts of the continent are affected by a marine climate.