Great African Kingdoms/Civilizations/Cultures
Objectives:
1. Define the characteristics of an ancient African kingdom; e.g. language, traditions/customs, politics,
religion and economy.
2. Research a particular kingdom and explain their traditional ways of living and how they are different
from other traditional ancient kingdoms.
Materials:
Microsoft PowerPoint, On-line resources, fact sheet (graphic organizer).
Procedures:
1. Introduction: We are going to study the ancient people of Africa. Africa is considered the place where
the first humans lived and learned to use tools. It is a continent of differences and change.
2. Each of you is going to be assigned to a specific Western, Eastern and Southern African Kingdoms to
research and create a slideshow presentation using PowerPoint. You will produce 5 slides related to
specific aspects of the kingdom.
3. Once you gather information and complete the fact sheet, you are to create a slide for each category of
your research (physical environment, political information, economic information, social information, and
the arts.)
4. Students will share their slideshow of Western, Eastern and Southern African Kingdoms.
Unit #1 Questions:
1.
What gave African kingdoms coherence and strength?
West, East and South African Kingdoms or City/States
Research and Power Point Project
You will study a West, East or South African Kingdom/culture and how geographic characteristics
influence human culture. This project is an opportunity for you to become an expert in Mali, Ghana,
Ethiopia, Swahili or Great Zimbabwe culture. You will research one kingdom/civilization/culture and
create a Power Point presentation.
Procedure:
1.
You will conduct research in class Oct 5, 6 and 7. Presentation will be Oct. 10. You will take
notes and develop a graphic organizer. If you have access to Inspiration please use it. Your completed
graphic organizer is due on Friday Oct. 7.
2.
From Oct 5 – 7 you will create your Power Point presentation. You will follow the project
description and include the required information for each of the slides. You will receive directions on how
to create Power Point presentation.
3.
When you are done with your Power Point, you will print one copy of the entire presentation in
condensed form (once again, you will have directions). You will use these printouts for your group work
in class on October 10th. On the following days, your group will present your project in class. Your
project will be graded at this time according to the rubric.
4.
During your presentation your group will provide the class with additional information for your
content slides. The notes for this will be written in the note taking section of your printed copy.
Directions for Research and Power Point Presentation Project
Research the Kingdom of Ghana, Mali, Ethiopia, Swahili and Great Zimbabwe and create a Power
Point presentation with the information you have gathered from the Internet. Your Power Point
Presentation will follow this format:
Slide 1: Title Page
-Title
-Name of Author
Eye-catching and exciting graphic to capture audience's attention
Slide 2: Ghana, Mali, Ethiopia, Swahili or Great Zimbabwe
-Who are they?
-Where did they come from?
Graphic to illustrate
Slide 3: Map
-Map of civilization with major cities.
-Time period
-Identify countries located in this region today.
Graphic to illustrate
Slide 4: Physical
Features
-Three distinct physical features, important to development
Graphics to illustrate
Slide 5: Achievements
List at least two accomplishments of the kingdom
Graphics to illustrate
Slide 6: Politics
Include information about:
-how power was structured and passed down
-positions of power
Graphics to illustrate
Slide 7: Religious Beliefs and Practices
Include information about:
-relationship to Islam
-practices of the kingdom
Graphics to illustrate
Slide 8: Economy
Include information about:
-agriculture
-Trade (what and with whom?)
Graphics to illustrate
Slide 9: Decline of Ghana, Mali, Ethiopia, Swahili or Great Zimbabwe
Graphics to illustrate
Slide 10: Passing the Torch
What kingdom has taken over the trade and production market? Was it as powerful?
Graphic to illustrate
Make sure to take additional notes. You will be sharing information with the class from your notes that do
not appear on your slides.
Assessment:
Each student will be assessed on the different aspects of the slides using the rubric below.
Quality of Research (20 points)
(accuracy, completeness)
PowerPoint Slideshow (50 points)
(neatness, creativity, clarity, technical proficiency, graphics, selection of information)
Presentation (30 points)
(clarity, organization, elaboration)
Web Links:
PBS: Africa-Explore the Region: multimedia resource site on African culture, with reference information,
photos, and videos.
Africa On-Line: reference information on African people and culture.
Gateway Africa: searchable site on African tribes.
The Peoples of Africa: think quest of African tribes and cultures.
http://exploringafrica.matrix.msu.edu/curriculum/lm7/stu_7aactivitythree.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/africa/features/storyofafrica/index_section4.shtml
http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/essays/intro/tbl_ethnicafrica.htm
http://www.nmafa.si.edu/exhibits/ipi/ipi.htm
http://www.africanculturalcenter.org/index.html
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/africa/index.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/africa/features/storyofafrica/index.shtml