Unit 3: Sub-Saharan Africa
We recommend that teachers new to Investigating History review the Curriculum Guidebook before preparing to teach their first unit.
Cluster 1: African Geography and Environment (Lessons 1-10)
What are the most important features of Africa’s geography and environment, and how do they affect people?
How did (and do) African people use the opportunities of their environment and adapt to its challenges?
What are the most important features of Africa’s geography and environment, and how do they affect people?
How did (and do) African people use the opportunities of their environment and adapt to its challenges?
Lesson 1: Picturing Africa: A Unit Introduction (Hook Lesson)
The Diversity of Africa’s Geography & Environment
Lesson 2: How Do Maps Show Africa?
Lesson 3: Climates and Regions of Africa
Lesson 4: Human Geography of Africa
Lessons 5-7: Africa Postcard Project
African People Addressing Environmental Challenges, Past & Present
Lesson 8: Human & Environmental Interaction: African Regions
Lesson 9: Human & Environmental Interaction: William Kamkwamba and Harnessing the Wind
Lesson 10: Human & Environmental Interaction: William Kamkwamba and the UN Global Goal on Energy
Cluster 2: Ancient Africa’s Diverse Societies and Civilizations (Lessons 11-20)
What were the characteristics of Africa’s ancient societies and what made them alike and different?
How did leaders in different social roles and occupations contribute to ancient African societies?
What were the characteristics of Africa’s ancient societies and what made them alike and different?
How did leaders in different social roles and occupations contribute to ancient African societies?
Comparing Ancient Africa’s Diverse Societies
Lesson 11: How Do We See Africa’s History?
Lessons 12 & 13: Characterizing and Comparing Complex Societies in Africa — An Archaeological Inquiry
Lesson 14: Putting It Together: Comparing and Contrasting Societies
Knowledge Traditions & Leadership in Ancient African Societies
Lesson 15 & 16: Scribes and Storytellers: The Power of Words in African Societies
Lesson 17: Civic Values and Oral Tradition
Lessons 18 & 19: Who Was the MVP of West African Societies? Conducting an Investigation with Sources
Lesson 20: Who Was the MVP of West African Societies? Defending a Position through a Praise Poem
Cluster 3: Trade, Cross-Cultural Exchange, and Africa’s Global Connections (Lessons 21-30)
How did environment and physical location shape the trade networks of ancient Africa?
What effects (positive and negative) did African trade have on societies of Africa and those of other continents?
How did environment and physical location shape the trade networks of ancient Africa?
What effects (positive and negative) did African trade have on societies of Africa and those of other continents?
Environment & Location in Trade Networks
Lesson 21: Introducing African Trade Networks: A Bird’s’ Eye View
Lessons 22 & 23: Travelers and Texts: What Can They Teach About Trade?
Lesson 24: Global Africa in the Ancient World: Trade Goods and Their Consumers
What is Influenced by Trade? Examples from East and West Africa
Lesson 25: What Else is Exchanged through Trade? A Swahili Coast Case Study
Lesson 26: Introduction to Trans-Saharan Trade: The “How” and “Why”
Lessons 27 & 28: How Trade Built an Empire: A Case Study of Ghana
Lesson 29: Global Africa in the Ancient World: Artistry and Influences
Lesson 30: Putting It Together: Judging the Most Important Effects of Trade
Cluster 4: Religions in Ancient Africa (Lessons 31-34)
How did religious traditions develop, adapt, and interact with one another in ancient sub-Saharan Africa?
How did religious traditions develop, adapt, and interact with one another in ancient sub-Saharan Africa?
Lesson 31: Christianity and Islam in Ancient Africa
Lesson 32: Indigenous Religions in Ancient Africa and Today
Lessons 33 & 34: Religious Tolerance in Africa Past and Present
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