Unit 5
Africa
UNDER CONSTRUCTION: Some pages might be updating to new curriculum for 7th and 8th grade
Africa
In this unit, students Study and map the physical and human geography of Africa. Topics include: The Physical and Human Geography of Africa, The Nile River: A Journey from Source to Mouth, Life in the Sahara and the Sahel: Adapting to a Desert Region, Micro-Entrepreneurs: Women's Role in the Development of Africa, Nigeria: A Country of Many Cultures, and Resources and Power in Post-Apartheid South Africa.
How can we describe the physical and human geography of Africa?
How do rivers change as they flow across Earth’s surface?
How do people adapt to living in a desert region?
How are women micro-entrepreneurs in developing countries changing their communities?
How can dividing a diverse country into regions make it easier to understand?
How might ethnic group differences affect who controls resources and power in a society?
Social Studies
Label physical and political maps of the region.
Use latitude and longitude to identify locations on a map.
Identify and describe characteristics of the region’s physical and human geography by using maps and charts.
Practice layering geographic information, similar to geographic information systems (GIS).
Compare and analyze information presented on different types of maps of the same region.
Understand key physical features and human activity that affect river systems by identifying how the Nile changes from source to mouth.
Examine how hydroelectric dams impact river systems around the world.
Describe the physical characteristics of three environments of the Saharan region: the desert, oases, and the Sahel.
Identify ways in which people have adapted to life in these three environments.
Analyze the impact of desertification on people living in desert regions around the world.
Explain challenges faced by women in developing countries in Africa.
Describe how African women micro-entrepreneurs have changed the human characteristics of the places where they live and work.
Identify where micro-credit institutions are most active, and explain why the majority of their clients are women.
Describe the characteristics of the physical environment, ethnic groups, culture, and economic activity unique to each region of Nigeria.
Analyze photographs of Nigeria to determine in which region each was taken.
Analyze potential problems of and possible solutions to the great ethnic diversity that exists within most African countries.
Describe how apartheid has affected South Africans of various ethnicities.
Analyze the redistribution of power and resources in post-apartheid South Africa.
Evaluate South Africa’s progress toward equality for all South Africans since the end of apartheid.
Examine the effects of the worldwide HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Language Arts
Summarize information that is presented graphically in writing.
Support a claim with evidence and reasoning in writing
Generate questions to be answered from a text.
Present information orally
Gather information from the text and present it in a visual format.
Adapt speech to the purpose and format required.
Write for a specific audience and purpose.
Choose relevant details to convey a main idea.
Write an expository paragraph that considers two sides of an issue.
Summarize information in writing.
Choose relevant details to support a main idea.
Select details to convey a main idea.
Write expository text for a specific audience and purpose.
Present information orally.
NJ Student Learning Standards for (Content Area):
7.PAaE.1.Using a variety of formats designed for a purpose and an authentic audience forms the basis for clear communication. Strong arguments contain claims with organized evidence and valid reasoning that respects the diversity of the world and the dignity of each person. Writing findings and engaging in civil discussion with an audience provides a key step in the process of thinking critically about conclusions and continued inquiry.
6.2.8.HistoryCC.4.g:.Evaluate the importance and enduring legacy of the major achievements of the people living Asia, Africa (Islam), Europe and the Americas over time.
6.2.8.GeoGI.4.a:.Determine how Africa’s physical geography and natural resources presented challenges and opportunities for trade, development, and the spread of religion.
6.2.8.GeoPP.4.b:.Assess how maritime and overland trade routes impacted urbanization, transportation, communication, and the development of international trade centers (i.e., the African caravan and Silk Road).
6.2.8.GeoPP.4.a:.Explain why the Arabian Peninsula’s physical features and location made it the epicenter of Afro-Eurasian trade and fostered the spread of Islam into Africa, Europe, and Asia.
6.2.8.GeoHE.4.a:.Explain how geography influenced the development of the political, economic, and cultural centers of each empire as well as the empires’ relationships with other parts of the world.
6.2.8.HistoryCA.2.a:.Analyze the factors that led to the rise and fall of various early river valley civilizations and determine whether there was a common pattern of growth and decline.
6.2.8.HistoryCC.2.b:.Analyze the impact of religion on daily life, government, and culture in various early river valley civilizations.
6.2.8.HistoryCC.2.a:.Evaluate the importance and enduring legacy of the major achievements of the early river valley civilizations over time.
6.2.8.EconGE.2.a:.Explain how technological advancements led to greater economic specialization, improved weaponry, trade, and the development of a class system in early river valley civilizations.
6.2.8.HistoryCC.1.c:.Describe how the development of both written and unwritten languages impacted human understanding, development of culture, and social structure.
6.2.8.GeoPP.1.a:.Compare and contrast the social organization, natural resources, and land use of early hunters/gatherers and those who lived in early agrarian societies.
6.2.8.GeoSV.2.a:.Compare and contrast physical and political maps of early river valley civilizations and their modern counterparts and determine the geopolitical impact of these civilizations, then and now (i.e., Mesopotamia and Iraq; Ancient Egypt and Modern Egypt; Indus River Valley and Modern Pakistan/India; Ancient China and Modern China).
6.2.8.GeoHE.2.a:.Determine the extent to which geography influenced settlement, the development of trade networks, technological innovations, and the sustainability of early river valley civilizations.
6.3.8.CivicsPR.4:.Use evidence and quantitative data to propose or defend a public policy related to climate change.
NJSLStandards - Technology and other content areas
Career Readiness, Life Literacies, and Key Skills Practices: Consider the environmental, social and
economic impacts of decisions. Activity: Students will identify the jobs that were used in Feudal Society and trace one’s history that is still a job in today’s society.
Career Ready Practice: 9.2.8.CAP.3: Explain how career choices, educational choices, skills, economic conditions, and personal behavior affect income.
8.1.8.DA.CI: People use digital devices and tools to automate the collection, use, and transformation of data.