UNIT 2

AFRICA

Miranda, Joshua M.
ARGOSY COLLEGIATE
Course: Grade 7 Global Literacy
School Year: 2016-2017
Unit Name: Time:
Africa 4 How does the continent of Africas geography, climate, and
WEEKS
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)
ESSENTIAL QUESTION
natural resources affect the way people live and work
throughout the various countries and regions?
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
1. How does physical geography
affect people in Africa?
2. How did historical events impact
African society?
3. How do historical events and
physical geography influence
culture?
4. How do people adapt to a
changing environment?
5. How do the people in Africa
address postcolonial challenges?
UNDERSTANDINGS
Africa is the second largest continent in the world. Its climate and physical geography
are diverse, ranging from flat, arid deserts and grasslands to tropical wet rainforest and
high mountains.
Africas major physical features include Nile River, Sahara Desert, Kalahari Desert,
Atlas Mountains, Congo Basin, Congo River, Niger River, Lake Victoria, Lake Chad,
Great Rift Valley, and the Zambezi River.
Africa is a diverse continent divided into four regions, each with its own countries and
a wide range of peoples with their own languages and cultures.
Africa is a continent potentially rich in natural resources such as oil and diamonds, and
they influence the way people live.
Africa had many kingdoms that grew rich through trade with other kingdoms and
European countries.
The European slave trade involved millions of people and had lasting effects on Africa
and the Americas.
European powers colonized and ruled large part of Africa. They created new colonial
borders that ignored the existing borders of traditional African cultures. This remained
until Africans began independence movements in the mid-1900s.
Postcolonial Africa is facing many challenges including limited healthcare and
education, civil war, and widespread poverty. African countries are working to
address these issues build political and economic stability.
Africans are trying to address environmental issues such as desertification through the
help of science, education, and the sensible use of land and other resources.
Africas cultural diversity is influenced by physical geography and history.
Course: Grade 7 Global Literacy
School Year: 2016-2017

UNIT VOCABULARY
Drought Genocide
Ethnic Group Tributary
Apartheid Swahili
Nomad Elevation
Desertification Nile River
Plateau Sahara Desert

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE SUMMATIVE
Exit Tickets Choice Project Board

Check for Understanding Paragraph Writing

Workbook Summary Writing