UNIT

2
AFRICA

Miranda, Joshua M.
ARGOSY COLLEGIATE

Course: Grade 7 Global Literacy
School Year: 2016-2017

Unit Name: Time: ESSENTIAL QUESTION

AFRICA 4 How does the continent of Africas geography, climate, and natural
resources affect the way people live and work throughout the various
WEEKS countries and regions?

STANDARDS
Massachusetts Framework Standards
A.1 On a map of the world, locate the continent of Africa, the Atlantic
Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Great Rift
Valley. On a map of Africa, locate the northern, eastern, western, central,
and southern regions of Africa, the Sahara Desert, the Nile River, Lake
Victoria, Mount Kilimanjaro, and the Cape of Good Hope. (G)
A.2 Use a map key to locate countries and major cities in Africa. (G, E)
A.3 Explain how the following five factors have influenced settlement
and the economies of major African regions and countries. (G, E)
A. absolute and relative locations
B. climate
C. major physical characteristics
D. major natural resources
E. population size
A.4 Identify when modern African countries became independent nations
and explain how independence was achieved. (H, G)
O1 Describe the general level of education in selected countries in Africa
and its relationship to the economy. (G, H, E)
O2 Describe major ethnic and religious groups in various countries in
Africa. (G, H, E)
O3 Describe the major obstacles to economic development in many
African nations, including linguistic, tribal, and religious diversity;
corrupt government; the lack of widespread education; and the political
boundaries established in the 19th century by European nations and the
legacy of their rule. (G, H, C, E)
United States Common Core Standards
RH.1: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary
and secondary sources.
RH.2: Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or
secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct
from prior knowledge or opinions
RH.6: Identify aspects of a text that reveal an authors point of view
or purpose (e.g., loaded language, inclusion or avoidance of particular
facts).
WHST.2: Write informative/explanatory texts, including the narration
of historical events, scientific procedures/ experiments, or technical
processes.
a. Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow;
organize ideas, concepts, and information into broader
categories as appropriate to achieving purpose; include
formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts, tables), and
multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.
b. Develop the topic with relevant, well-chosen facts,
definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information
and examples.
c. Use appropriate and varied transitions to create cohesion
and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.
d. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to
inform about or explain the topic.
e. Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone.


Course:
Grade
7
Global
Literacy










School
Year:
2016-2017

ESSENTIAL UNDERSTANDINGS
FOCUS QUESTIONS UNDERSTANDINGS DO
Africa is the second largest continent in the world. Its climate
How does physical and physical geography are diverse, ranging from flat, arid Use the fundamental themes of geography
geography affect deserts and grasslands to tropical wet rainforest and high (location, place, human environment interaction,
people in Africa? mountains. movement, region) to describe the continent of
Africa
Africas major physical features include Nile River, Sahara
How did historical
Desert, Kalahari Desert, Atlas Mountains, Congo Basin, Explain and use a variety of maps, globes, and
events impact African web based geography technology to study the
Congo River, Niger River, Lake Victoria, Lake Chad, Great
society? Rift Valley, and the Zambezi River. geography of Africa

How do historical Africa is a diverse continent divided into four regions, each Explain the different ways in which African
events and physical with its own countries and a wide range of peoples with their counties are connected and how those connections
geography influence own languages and cultures. demonstrate interdependence and accessibility
culture?
Africa is a continent potentially rich in natural resources such Describe the landform features and the climate of
How do people adapt to as oil and diamonds, and they influence the way people live. Africa
a changing
Africa had many kingdoms that grew rich through trade with Compare roles of women in traditional African
environment?
other kingdoms and European countries. societies in the past with roles of women as
modern micro-entrepreneurs in current
How do the people in economies.
Africa address Postcolonial Africa is facing many challenges including
postcolonial limited healthcare and education, civil war, and widespread
Describe the environmental effects of human
poverty. African countries are working to address these issues
challenges? action on the atmosphere (air), biosphere (people,
build political and economic stability.
animals, and plants), lithosphere (soil), and
hydrosphere (water) (e.g., desertification of the
Africans are trying to address environmental issues such as
Sahel Region of North Africa, deforestation of the
desertification through the help of science, education, and the
Congo Basin, air pollution in urban center, and
sensible use of land and other resources.
chemical spills in European Rivers)
Africas cultural diversity is influenced by physical geography
and history.

Course: Grade 7 Global Literacy
School Year: 2016-2017

UNIT VOCABULARY
Congo River Culture of the Masai
Niger River Berlin Conference
Nile River Rai
Escarpment Souks
Mt Kenya Pandemic
Mt Kilimanjaro Carthage
Sahara desert Olduvai Gorge
Serengeti Cape Town
Tropical Rainforest Goree Island
Canopy Fang artwork
Oasis King Leopold II
Aquifer F.W. de Klerk
Silt Mobutu Sese Seko
Desertification Bantu Migrations
Niger Delta Apartheid
Sahel Nelson Mandela

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE SUMMATIVE
Exit Tickets AFRICA TEST

Check for Understanding AFRICA PROJECT

Argumentative Paragraph

Africa Packet Check


Course: Grade 7 Global Literacy
School Year: 2016-2017