Jr. High Service-Learning Project
Title:
Issues in Africa
Core Subjects: Geography for Life
Core Standards/Objectives:
6200-0101 Develop reading skills in geography. 6200-0103 Develop writing skills in
geography. 6200-0107 Develop critical analysis skills in geography. 6200-0109
Develop creative thinking skills in geography. 6200-0402 Identify and explain the
earth’s varied cultures. 6200-0403 Describe how the forces of cooperation and conflict
influence people. 6200-0601 Explain why and how attitudes, events, persons,
movements, and documents over time have influenced historical geography. 62000601 Examine how and why commonalties and differences of ideas, attitudes, choices,
and technologies influence the interaction and behavior of people. 6200-0701 Show
through personal actions the ability to contribute to the community through lifelong
learning. 6200-0703 Demonstrate an understanding of, and a reasoned commitment to,
the rules of law.
PROJECT GOALS:
To teach students how internal pressures and international sanctions helped change
the system of apartheid in South Africa.
ISSUE AREA/COMMUNITY NEED:
To discuss possible solutions to problems in Africa and identify how individuals can
get involved.
ABSTRACT OF ACTIVITY:
This is part of a unit focusing on Africa. While studying Africa, lessons focused on
historical themes such as the impact of European colonization on Africans and
current African problems. Students also will learn about South Africa’s history, the
apartheid laws, and the forces that helped to change the government sanctioned
discrimination. Students will view the movie CRY FREEDOM, complete viewing
guides, and create projects showcasing activist, Stephen Biko, and how others can
follow his example. Students will read newspaper articles, discuss current
problems facing Africa, and consider possible solutions to those problems. Finally,
students can work independently or in groups on a service-learning project
designed to address one of those needs.
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TYPE OF SERVICE:
Advocacy of issues in Africa. Indirect and direct service could be rendered as an
extension of this activity.
TIME LINE/TIME COMMITMENT:
Two weeks of an overall Africa unit that lasts approximately one month.
PREPARATIONS AND MATERIALS NEEDED:
Geography textbooks, a copy of the movie CRY FREEDOM (produced by Richard
Attenborough, 1987), movie questions, BIKO Illustrated Essay Poster Assignment
Guide and rubric, copy of speech given by Nelson Mandela at the Commemoration
of the Twentieth Anniversary of Steve Biko’s Death (available online at
http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/history/mandela/1997/sp970912.html), CD of Peter
Gabriel’s song “Biko” on the album Peter Gabriel (#3 aka Melting Peter), and copies
of part II (“Boys Dreams of Better Life End in Miserable Death”) and part III (“From
the Grave, Boys Plead for End to Africa’s Suffering”) in the Associated Press series
“In Case We Die” by Tim Sullivan and Raf Casert, found in THE SALT LAKE
TRIBUNE, March 19-21, 2000. Most are included in this lesson plan.
PROCEDURE FOR THE PROJECT:
1. Teacher introduces the project by using a pair-square-share activity. Students
write about the question “What problems do you think Africa faces today?”
Students share responses with a partner, in a small group, and finally with the
class as a whole.
2. Students engage in various learning activities focusing on Africa’s history,
European colonization and exploitation of Africa, the African outlook, and
apartheid in South Africa.
3. Students view the movie CRY FREEDOM and answer questions on a viewing
guide.
4. Following the movie, the class reads Nelson Mandela’s speech and discusses
Steve Biko’s role as an activist in ending apartheid and discrimination. The class
listens to Peter Gabriel’s song and discusses how Biko’s death focused the
world’s attention to the problem of apartheid (“and the eyes of the world are
watching now...”).
5. Using the project guide, students complete posters–Biko Illustrated Essay. The
teacher can have students use the computer lab to do Internet searches to find
more information about Biko. When completed, posters are displayed in the
school.
6. Working in small groups, students read the newspaper articles from the series “In
Case We Die.” Each group completes a T-chart with the headings “Problems in
Africa Today” and “Possible Solutions.” Groups share charts with entire class
(using overhead transparencies or large poster paper).
7. Finally, students may choose to complete an independent or small group servicelearning activity addressing an issue discussed in class as a fourth-term extra
credit assignment. Results of these projects will be displayed at the end-of-year
school fair.
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COMMUNITY PARTNER OR RESOURCES:
AFRICARE
American Red Cross
American Refugee Committee
American Connections to Africa
Concern America
Earthwatch Institute
Global Exchange
Rural Support Integration Organization
REFLECTION RECOMMENDATIONS:
Reflective journal entries are completed by students throughout the entire activity
and turned in with Africa unit notebook to be evaluated by the teacher. Students
who opt to complete an extra service-learning project keep a reflection journal and
service log as evidence of work completed.
CELEBRATION RECOMMENDATIONS:
Biko posters can be displayed in the school. Students who complete independent or
small group projects should display journals, pictures of project activities, and
service logs at the end-of-year school fair.
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World Cultural Geography
Video Notes
Name ________________________
Period _____
CRY FREEDOM
CRY FREEDOM is the true story about Stephen Biko, a black leader in South Africa
who protested apartheid, and his friend Donald Woods, a white journalist. Both men
were instrumental in bringing about the end of South Africa's apartheid policies.
Apartheid was one of the most brutal and blatant policies of domination in recent
history. Until 1990 and 1991, apartheid laws controlled the population of South Africa.
Apartheid is an Afrikaans word that means "apartness."
Apartheid is basically a system of racial segregation. The White ruling group was made
up mostly of Afrikaners, whose ancestors were the Boers (Dutch settlers). A slightly
smaller group of Whites were descendants of British settlers. Together, these two
groups of Whites make up about 13 percent of the entire population. The Colored
group (people of Asian and mixed heritage) are about 12 percent of South Africa's
population. The largest group is made up of the Blacks, who are of African origin.
Blacks make up about 75 percent of South Africa's population; however, the system of
government under apartheid was designed to keep the Blacks powerless.
The struggle to end apartheid involved people living in South Africa and throughout the
world. Apartheid was finally abolished in 1990 and 1991.
Questions:
1.
Describe the police raid on the township settlement.
2.
Why doesn't newspaper man, Donald Woods, like Stephen Biko at the beginning
of the movie?
3.
Why is Stephen Biko banned by the South African government?
4.
What does Stephen Biko mean when he says that "we know how you live. How
would you like to see how we live?"
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5.
Describe Donald Woods' experience when Stephen Biko takes him to visit a
black township. What new things does he learn about the lives of blacks in
South Africa?
6.
At dinner that night, the people tell Donald Woods that African culture is what
they want back. Stephen Biko says, "We don't want to be forced into your
society." What good things do they point out about African culture?
7.
How does Donald Woods change after meeting Biko and visiting the black
township–how does he become an activist in the fight against apartheid?
8.
During the court proceedings, what charges does Stephen Biko make against the
white government of South Africa?
9.
According to Stephen Biko, what is “black consciousness” all about?
10.
Was Donald Woods’ visit with Kruger, the Minister of Police in Petoria,
successful? Did Kruger honor the promise he made?
11.
When the police search Stephen Biko's house, where are the papers hidden?
13.
Why is Mapetia arrested, and what happens to him?
14.
What happens to Stephen Biko when he is arrested and put in jail?
15.
According to Krueger, Minister of Police, how/why did Stephen Biko die?
16.
Explain how the symbols on Biko’s casket reflect his life as an activist and the
significance of his funeral. How are Biko’s ideas and life remembered?
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World Cultural Geography
Video Notes
Name ________________________
Period _____
CRY FREEDOM (Con't)
"Change the way people think, and things will never be the same."
--Stephen Biko
Donald Woods wants to force the South African government to have an inquest
(investigation) into Stephen Biko's death. He believes that he needs to stir up publicity
outside of South Africa to do this. He hopes that the world community will put pressure
on South Africa. He decides to go on a lecture tour to the United States. He plans to
speak about Stephen Biko and take a stand against apartheid. He is arrested at the
airport before he can leave. The South African government bans him for a five year
period. Under the ban
*he can be with only one person at a time
*he is forbidden to write anything for public or private reasons
*he cannot participate in the publishing business at all (remember that is his job)
*he is restricted to a small district in South Africa
*he, of course, cannot travel outside of the country
*his house is bugged, and he is under constant surveillance
While he is banned, he writes a book about Stephen Biko. If the book is found in his
house or if it is published, the South African government will consider it treason. He
must either destroy it or smuggle it out of the country. An English publisher agrees to
publish the book. He decides to try to escape the country so that the book can be
published.
17.
What disguise does Donald Woods take to escape South Africa?
18.
Why does Stephen Biko say he takes risks?
19.
What is surprising about the court finding on Stephen Biko's death?
20.
Why does Stephen Biko use the phrase "Black is beautiful?"
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21.
At first the younger Woods children believe that they are going to the beach, but
what is the real plan?
22.
What does Donald Woods ask for from the British government?
23.
The South African government threaten to shoot down the Woods' plane. How
does Lesotho’s location make the South African’s threat a real possibility?
24.
Following Stephen Biko's example, what do school children in Soweto do to show
black consciousness?
25.
How can people today honor the legacy of Stephen Biko?
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World Cultural Geography
CRY FREEDOM Project
Due Date: Wednesday, February 28
Stephen Biko Illustrated Essay
Requirements:
Size--At least 22" by 27" (Standard Poster Size)
Visuals--You must include at least two visuals from each category below (a minimum of
six visuals):
1) Diagrams, Charts, Tables, Graphs
2) Political Cartoons, Illustrations, Pictures, Maps
3) Quotes from the Movie, News Articles, Magazine Articles, or Speeches; Biko
Quotes; Song Lyrics; Poems (Must be about Biko, South Africa, or Apartheid)
Title--Explain in one sentence Biko's significance in history and the anti-apartheid
movement.
Three Sections--Your poster must be divided into the following three sections/parts (be
sure to title each section):
Part I=Problems
*Identify at least two specific problems Biko wished to solve or to bring to the attention
of others.
Part II=Biko’s Vision
*Identify at least two specific actions Stephen Biko did to try to solve the problems.
Part III=Biko’s Legacy
*Explain two specific things that people today could do to follow Biko’s example.
Captions--Each visual must have a caption that explains how the visual profiles Biko's
significance. All captions must be in your own words and should be at least two
sentences long. The captions must support and develop the section you are developing
(Problems, Biko’s Vision, or Biko’s Legacy). Be sure to include adequate and accurate
information.
Visual Appeal--Neatness is important. Make sure labels and captions are clear, printed
legibly, and of uniform size (The title should be bigger than the labels and captions).
Use color to make the visuals interesting. Mount visuals aesthetically. Use open space
effectively.
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Words by and about Stephen Biko (1946-1977)
Lyrics to Peter Gabriel’s Song entitled “Biko”
on the Album Peter Gabriel (#3 aka Melting Peter)
September ‘77
Port Elizabeth weather fine
It was business as usual
In police room 619
Oh Biko, Biko, because Biko
Oh Biko, Biko, because Biko
Yihla Moja, Yihya Moja
–The man is dead
When I try to sleep at night
I can only dream in red
The outside world is black and white
With only one colour dead
Oh Biko, Biko, because Biko
Yihla Moja, Yihla Moja
-The man is dead
You can blow out a candle
But you can’t blow out a fire
Once the flames begin to catch
The wind will blow it higher
Oh Biko, Biko, because Biko
Yihla Moja, Yihla Moja
-The man is dead
And the eyes of the world are
watching now
watching now
"The most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed."-Stephen Biko
"As the charismatic leader of the Black Consciousness movement, Biko urged South
Africa's blacks to fight for their empowerment; the eloquent advocate of black self-pride
soon emerged as the leader of a generation of young black militants. He preached that
blacks' main problem was their attitude of inferiority, and that only they could spearhead
a victory over their oppressors, rather than the white liberals who tried to speak for
them. Biko's death made him a martyr to the cruelties of minority white rule and racial
separation."--Cyrille Hugon
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"While Steve Biko espoused, inspired, and promoted black pride, he never made
blackness a fetish. At the end of the day, as he himself pointed out, accepting one's
blackness is a critical starting point: an important foundation for engaging in struggle.
Today, it must be a foundation for reconstruction and development, for a common
human effort to end war, poverty, ignorance and disease."--Nelson Mandela
"One of the greatest legacies of the struggle that Biko waged–and for which he died-was the explosion of pride among the victims of apartheid. The value that black
consciousness placed on culture reverberated across our land; in our prisons; and
amongst the communities in exile. Our people, who were once enjoined to look to
Europe and America for creative sustenance, turned their eyes to Africa."--Nelson
Mandela
“Steve Biko was the greatest man I ever met....He was a statesman, in that sense of the
word in which it is applied to Abraham Lincoln, having that breath of vision and that
wider comprehension of the affairs of men and nations that is conveyed to the listener
through more than mere words.”–Donald Woods
“Change the way people think, and things will never be the same.”–Stephen Biko
“The basic tenet of black consciousness is that the black man must reject all value
systems that seek to make him a foreigner in the country of his birth and reduce his
basic human dignity.”–Stephen Biko
“We are looking forward to a non-racial, just and egalitarian society in which color,
creed, and race shall form no point of reference.”–Stephen Biko
“Even today, we are still accused of racism. This is a mistake. We know that all
interracial groups in South Africa are relationships in which whites are superior, blacks
inferior. So as a prelude whites must be made to realize that they are only human, not
superior. Same with blacks. They must be made to realize that they are also human,
not inferior.”–Stephen Biko
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Steven Biko Illustrated Essay Rubric
Appropriate Size
4 pts._____
Title-Explains Significance
10 pts.____
Visuals/Captions- Two from each category
Diagrams, charts, graphs, tables
Captions-at least 2 sentences
& explain significance
Political Cartoons, illustrations, pictures, maps
Captions-at least 2 sentences
& explain significance
Quotes, lyrics, poems, speeches, articles
Captions-at least 2 sentences
& explain significance
6 pts._____
6 pts._____
6 pts._____
6 pts._____
6 pts._____
6 pts._____
Problems-at least two
Two items Biko wished to solved
6 pts._____
Biko’s Vision
Two actions Biko tried to solve the problem
6 pts._____
Biko’s Legacy
Two specific ways people today
can follow Biko’s example
6 pts._____
Labels
Sections clearly identified
5 pts._____
Neatness/Visual Appeal
Words can be read easily
Color is used to enhance
Poster is artistically arranged
15 pts._____
TOTAL
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100 pts._____
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