West Africa Activities Resource Bundle - Gold and Salt Trade Traditions History

West Africa Empires / Kingdoms Activities Resource Bundle!

This bundled product contains the following 6 StudentSavvy resources!

West Africa Interactive Notebook

West Africa Empires Reading Passages

West Africa Interactive PowerPoint

West Africa STEM Challenges

West Africa Google Classroom Student Projects

West Africa Empires Assessments / Exam / Test

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More information on each resource:

-Interactive Notebook

This product contains interactive cut and paste learning material for students to create an organized social studies interactive notebook.

Answer Key Included

Topics covered in this unit include: Gold and Salt Trade, West Africa Climate Zones, the Sahara, Tunka Manin, Sundiata, Mansa Musa, Sunni Ali, Askia the Great, West African Society and Trade, Religion, Ghana Empire, Nile River, Congo River, Niger River, Collapse of Ghana, Mali Empire, Hajj (Pilgrimage), Fall of Mali, Songhai Empire, Fall of Songhai Empire, Kente Cloth, Art and Tradition, Oral History, Proverbs, West African Masks, Sculptures, Music, Dance, and Much More!

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-Reading Passages

Questions & Answer Keys for Each of the 5 Reading Passages!

COMMON CORE ALIGNED!

Quick overview of topics covered in this resource include:

1.) West African Society and Trade

-Trade and natural resources helped kingdoms rise to power in West Africa.

-The importance of salt and gold and how that allowed Ghana to become a prosperous empire.

-Description of age sets and village society

-Description the resources found (dates, kola nuts, trees, iron, gold etc.)

Keywords: age sets, savannah, extended families, Sahara

2.) The Ghana Empire and its Collapse

-Description of its location between the two rivers and the first people (the Soninke) to develop a civilization there

-The capital city (Kumbi Saleh) and how it became an oasis for travelers and traders.

-Tunka Manin and other powerful rulers during the Ghana Empire

-description of trade and how it became a prosperous empire

-The decline and collapse of Ghana beginning in the 1200’s. The three possible reasons (over-grazing, invasions, and internal fighting) that attributed to the collapse.

Keywords: Tunka Manin, Ghana Empire, Kumbi Saleh,

3.) Mansa Musa and the Mali Empire

-Location of the Mali Empire (along the upper Niger River)

-Description of how Sundiata helped Mali first rise to power (created an army and overtook kingdoms and territories) He took over gold and salt trades.

-Overview of Mansa Musa and how he spread Islam during his rule - His achievements (capturing major cities)

-The hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) and how he made Mali famous

Keywords: Mansa Musa, Sundiata, hajj, Mali Empire

4.) Sunni Ali and the Songhai Empire

-Introduction how the empire began as part of Mali’s empire

-Description of Sunni Ali’s achievements (reigned during 1464-1492) (transformed Gao into the empire of Songhai, strengthened and unified empire)

-His son took over the throne after his death in 1492, Askia Muhammad

Keywords: Sunni Ali, Songhai Empire

5.) West Africa Art and Traditions

-Introductory/overview about the different types of traditions, including oral history and Griot storytellers, West African proverbs, masks, sculptures, dance, etc.

-Describes the art and unique designs of kente cloth

-Describes West African proverbs and oral history

-Describes West African art: including masks, sculptures, music, instruments and dance

Keywords: oral history, griots, proverbs, kente cloth, proverbs

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-Interactive PowerPoint

This teaching resource is quite the virtual experience! This Medieval Times PowerPoint can be used as a powerful classroom presentation or students can click their way through it on individual computers.

***This product was created with the latest version of PowerPoint (2016). The effects and transitions may not display properly on older versions. Please use the Google Slides version if students are using Chromebooks.

Topics covered in this unit include: Gold and Salt Trade, West Africa Climate Zones, the Sahara, Tunka Manin, Sundiata, Mansa Musa, Sunni Ali, Askia the Great, West African Society and Trade, Religion, Ghana Empire, Nile River, Congo River, Niger River, Collapse of Ghana, Mali Empire, Hajj (Pilgrimage), Fall of Mali, Songhai Empire, Fall of Songhai Empire, Kente Cloth, Art and Tradition, Oral History, Proverbs, West African Masks, Sculptures, Music, Dance

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-STEM Challenges

STEM & STEAM Challenges

Cross-curricular challenges for students who are studying Middle Ages and Medieval Times!

This resource has science, technology, engineering, and measurement activities to do with your upper elementary kids that will really enhance their learning!

There are 2 West Africa STEM Challenges in this pack. Each STEM Challenge has detailed directions, photo examples, a list of materials needed, prediction section, brainstorming section, trials 1, 2, & 3, final results section with drawings, and a reflection section.

The STEM Challenges include:

1. Gold Mining Machine - Sluice Box Challenge

Using a list of supplies, students must design and build a sluice box to search for gold. The goal of this challenge is to create a device that effectively separates gold and heavier material from river sediments (or gravel). As water moves through the device, the riffles must catch and separate the gold and/or heavy material. The sluice box must contain all the parts described (in planning pages found in the resource) using the materials below. (riffles, metal mesh, feeder, etc.) Items can be added to the materials list if needed. STEM teams have 3 days and 3 trials to complete this challenge. (more instructions are given in the resource)

2. Djembe Drum Challenge

Using a list of supplies, STEM teams must create a Djembe drum. The Djembe drum must contain all of the elements found on the diagram of page 5. The drum must also produce a variety of pitches when played on different parts of the drum head. The drum cannot be larger than 25 inches tall or have a diameter larger than 14 inches. Students must be able to complete this challenge in 2 days.

(more instructions and planning pages are given in the resource)

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-Google Classroom Student Projects

3 digital projects for your students!

Medieval Times / Middle Ages Series

This product contains 3 digital projects that students can complete using Google Slides! This resource has a brochure project, a timeline project, and a info-graphic / poster project.

Each student-centered project has a sample project, answer key, and detailed project instructions for the students.

Info-graphic / Poster Project

Students pick a topic that they would like to research on West Africa (Ex:Village society, trade, Ghana Empire, Mali empire, etc.) All of the elements in the info-graphic must be organized, clearly visible, and well placed. Creativity with color and photos is a must! **More instructions found in the resource

Timeline Project

Using a template, students design a timeline of important West Africa events. Students can add images, text, and other media to their timelines.

It is up to the teacher to add or change time periods that align with school resources.

Brochure Project

Using a template, students design a brochure that highlights important facts and topics of West Africa such as: West African Society, Trade in West Africa, Ghana Empire, Mali and Songhai Empire, Art and Tradition, etc.

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-Exam - Test - Assessment

This resource contains an assessment that has vocabulary matching, fill in the blank, short answer, essay, and an info-graphic. It has 18 questions total.

It also contains an ANSWER KEY and an EDITABLE PowerPoint file.

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