GRIOT’S TALE PROJECT DESCRIPTION
To finish our unit on Africa we are going to performing a Griot’s tale. A Griot is a
traditional African storyteller. In a community, they are responsible for communicating their
tribe’s oral history from generation to generation. Just like a Griot, you will be responsible for
communicating the history of one of our African civilizations through oral presentation.
PRODECURES AND DETAILS:
 You will be working in teams of 3
 Teams members will be selected by the students from the same class period
 All required work for the project will be completed in class (although additional work
may be completed at home if a student chooses to do so)
 Presentations must be 2 min or more
 Each group member must give at least 1 part of the presentation
 Presentation content must include all G.R.A.P.E.S. elements
 Civilizations will be drawn at random
 Presentations must include at least TWO of the traditional Griot techniques from the list
below
TRADITIONAL GRIOT TECHNIQUES
Call and Response
Narrative Style
GRADING AND EVALUATION:
Learning Targets
4
Presentation
Student
understands the accurately explains
all G.R.A.P.E.S.
G.R.A.P.E.S of
their civilization. elements for a
Student
demonstrates
understanding
of African
culture.
Student can
participate as a
positive group
and audience
member.
given civilization as
well as additional
interesting/clarifying
information.
Presentation
includes MORE
THAN TWO
traditional Griot
techniques.
Student is a positive
leader in their
group and an
active listener
during all
presentations.
Music/Rhythm
Art Element
3
Costume
Dance/Movement
2
1
Presentation
accurately
explains all
G.R.A.P.E.S.
elements for a
given civilization.
Presentation
presents all
G.R.A.P.E.S.
elements for a
given civilization.
Presentation
presents some
G.R.A.P.E.S.
elements for a
given civilization.
Presentation
includes TWO
traditional Griot
techniques.
Presentation
includes ONE
traditional Griot
techniques.
Presentation does
not include a
traditional Griot
technique.
Student is
consistently an
active participant
in their group and
an active listener
during all
presentations.
Student is an
active participant
in their group
most of the time
and an active
listener during all
presentations.
Student is an
active participant
in their group
most of the time
and an active
listener during
most
presentations.
MY GRIOT’S TALE PROJECT INFO
1. MY GROUP MEMBERS:
Name
________________________________
E-Mail
______________________________
________________________________
______________________________
2. OUR CIVILIZATION:
________________________________________
3. GRIOT TECHNIQUES WE WOULD LIKE TO INCORPORATE:
4. WHAT ARE THE STRENGTHS YOU BRING TO THIS PROJECT/WHAT MAKES YOU
EXICTED ABOUT DOING THIS PROJECT?
5. WHAT WEAKNESSES DO YOU HAVE RELATED TO THIS PROJECT/WHAT MAKES
YOU CONCERNED?
6. WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP COMBAT THOSE WEAKNESSES AND CONCERNS?
GROUP RESEARCH RECORD SHEET
GEOGRAPHY:
 Location
Region-(you can use present day regions)

Place-

Movement-

Human Interaction-
RELIGION:
 Which religion do they practice?

Specific Practices?

History of the religion with this tribe? Did they always believe this way? Do they believe
this way now?
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
 What is this civilization known for?
POLITICAL STRUCTURES:
 Which political structure does this civilization use? (Monarchy, Dictatorship, Oligarchy,
or Democracy)

What is the leader’s title and how did they run their civilization?
ECONOMICS:
 How did this civilization provide for their people? (Farming, Mining, Trading)

What are the specific details of their economy? (What did they farm? What did they
mine and how did they do it? Who did they trade with or tax?)
SOCIAL STRUCTURE:
 How was their society organized? Did they have specific social groups (hierarchy) or
were they more cooperative (cycle or bubble map)?