Resources+-+Ancient+Africa

**Indicator 6:** Describe the importance of the West African empires of Ghana, Mali and Songhay including: Trade routes; Products; The spread of the Arabic language; the spread of Islam.
**West African Kingdoms** Courtesy of Ohio SS Resource Center: "This source was created and made available by the BBC to inform readers about the history and plight of West African Kingdoms. This site has video, sound, and pictures and a lot of information. The students are provided with many opportunities to interact with the text. Assessment suggestions are not offered on this website; however the wealth of knowledge will allow teachers to create a variety of assessment pieces. Students could easily complete a research project or create a brochure after viewing the site. This is a fantastic website that Seventh Grade teachers should consider using."

**The Islamic World to 1600** Courtesy of Ohio SS Resource Center: "This resource would support lessons on the West African Kingdoms of Ghana, Songhai, and Mali. It is a brief selection of text that could be beneficial to a variety of learners. A picture and map are provided within the text. This resource may prove helpful for student research or providing background knowledge. The text is appropriate for the grade level and appears to promote student understanding. The resource is cited and reflects research that is widely known and generally accepted." Excellent map and image of Mansa Musa

**Trekking to Timbuktu: Trade in Ancient West Africa** Courtesy of Ohio SS Resource Center: "Using this website students will learn how trade played an important role in the economy of West Africa between the 14th and 18th century. Students will assume the role of a television show scout whose job it is to find a location for future episodes of the show by exploring West Africa. Students will use map skills, observation and description, critical thinking and visual analysis to apply to concepts of trade and cultural diffusion when they assume their disguise as a Muslim merchant traveling along the trade route. The website provides linked resources including maps and background information to answer questions posed in the learning. This two day lesson culminated with student description of the scenery of a market in ancient Ghana will create a context of learning by drawing conclusion and summarizing. A teacher could easily adapt the trading places summary for the television show as a post-assessment. Students will be very engaged by this resource."

Ghana Trade and the Spread of Islam In Africa

**BENCHMARK C »** Explain how contact between different cultures impacts the diffusion of belief systems, art, science, technology, language and forms of government.

 * INDICATOR 3:** Give examples of contacts among different cultures that led to the changes in belief systems, art, science, technology, language or systems of government.

**The Legacies of Africa and China** This lesson is from the Ohio Department of Education Students will work in teams to research African and Chinese cultural and scientific legacies. Students will show evidence of learning through presentations, graphic organizers and extended responses that include describing examples of those legacies and contact between cultures.


 * Geography **

****BENCHMARK A » Identify on a map the location of major physical and human features of each continent.****

 * INDICATOR 2:** On a map, identify places related to the historical events being studied and explain their significance.