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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mediterranean Trade in the Late Bronze Age

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders analyze the amount and conditions of trade in the late Bronze Age. In groups, they research where a variety of items and goods originated. They participate in Mediterranean trade days in which they try to acquire as...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mali

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders begin the lesson by reading primary sources about the country of Mali. Using maps drawn in the past, they discuss what they can gather about the country from the map and how it has changed over time. They use a graphic...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making Akan Gold Weights and Understanding their Proverbial Meanings

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students examine a variety of gold weights used by the Asante in West Africa. In groups, they discuss the purpose of the gold weights and practice saying proverbs associated with different pieces of art. To end the lesson, they...
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Website
Other

Mali: Ancient Crossroads of Africa

For Students 9th - 10th
Very thorough web site featuring a guide for teaching the history, geography, and economics of the early West African empire of Mali. By clicking on the links on top, you will uncover a wealth of resources providing information,...
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Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Ancient Manuscripts: From the Desert Libraries of Timbuktu

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a collection of primary, historical documents from Timbuktu, Mali during the the 16th through 18th century. The documents cover all aspects of this advanced African civilization.
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Interactive
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of Natural History: African Voices

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is the web presence of "African Voices," a permanent exhibition at the National Museum of Natural History. It explores the "diversity, dynamism, and global influence of Africa's peoples and cultures." Includes art, texts, and...
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Website
Emory University

Emory University: Odyssey Online

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Odyssey Online is a resource for both students and teachers as they explore world mythology in reading, writing, history, and art classes. Providing sections on Near Eastern, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and African mythology, Odyssey uses...
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Handout
Understanding Slavery Initiative

Understanding Slavery Initiative: Africa Before Transatlantic Enslavement

For Students 9th - 10th
The history of West Africa provides a context for learning about the transatlantic slave trade. Discover the rich cultural traditions and economic networks that existed in the West African empires such as Ghana, Mali, and Songhay long...
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Website
BBC

Bbc: The Story of Africa Great Zimbabwe

For Students 9th - 10th
A site on the ancient African civilization Great Zimbabwe presents some background information on the civilization, such as who the rulers were, the Great Zimbabwe monument, and the decline of the empire. Archived.
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Website
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Collapse: Why Do Civilizations Fall?

For Students 3rd - 8th
Why did great civilizations fall? War, disease, overpopulation or natural disasters? Interactive content and activities allow you, by sifting through archaeological evidence, to investigate the collapse of the Mayan civilization, the...
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Online Course
Cosmo Learning

Cosmo Learning: World Civilization Since 1500

For Students 9th - 10th
Twenty-four college video lectures provides an overview of the interactions among seven major cultural traditions (Judeo-Christian, Graeco-Roman, Indian, Chinese, African, Islamic, American Indian), from c.e. 1500.
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Article
University of Houston

University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: No. 385: African Steel Making

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the Hayas of Africa who made steel thousands of years before modern times. This article is a transcript of a radio broadcast.
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Website
Dartmouth College

Dartmouth College: Hood Museum of Art

For Students 9th - 10th
Designed by architect Charles Moore, the Hood Museum of Art has a permanent collection ranging from Ancient and Asian to Modern and Contemporary Art. Of special note are American portrait paintings of the 18th and 19th centuries,...
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Website
PBS

Pbs: The Swahili People

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a site from the PBS series "Wonders of the African World." This brief but detailed article gives information about the origins and history of the Swahili people.
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Interactive
National Geographic Kids

National Geographic Kids: Egypt

For Students 3rd - 8th
Click-through facts-and-photo file about Egypt's geography, nature, history, people and culture, and government. Includes a map of the country that pinpoints its African location and a video about the ancient civilization that flourished...