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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Colonial Legacy of Sierra Leone (W. Africa)

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students investigate an in-depth study of civil strife in a former British colony fueled by 'conflict' diamonds. They examine how the violence and civil strife rampant in a particular West African nation has a lot to do with its colonial...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Adinkra Cloth

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students explore traditional African culture, symbols and symbol making and printing, and create class adinkra cloth.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Sources in Cape Verde and West Africa

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners analyze the importance of a fresh water supply in Cape Verde, researching five methods of obtaining and conserving water there. Young scholars create and present displays demonstrating their understanding of the methods of water...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

European Explorers

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students research one of seventeen explorers before filling in a worksheet. Next, they write a song verse using the information and sing it to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." On the next day, they play a game of "Who Am I?" using...
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eBook
Country Studies US

Country Studies: Ivory Coast

For Students 9th - 10th
A thorough look at Ivory Coast from the Country Studies section of the Library of Congress. Read about its history, economy, people, and government. Information through the 1990s.
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Lesson Plan
Peace Corps

Peace Corps: Working With Environmental Issues

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Water is a concern for the health through parasites and diseases in West Africa. This instructional activity emphasizes the importance of clean water.
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Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of Africa Art: Ancient West African City of Benin

For Students 9th - 10th
A photographic exhibit of art objects from Benin from the period of 1300 to 1897 C.E. Extensive commentary is given for each object. Requires Adobe Reader. [PDF]
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Handout
Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo: Dwarf Crocodile

For Students 9th - 10th
Offers great information of the West African Dwarf Crocodile. Information includes what they look like, where they are found, what they eat, and how often they reproduce. Special adaptations that the crocodile has made are also included.
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Interactive
BSCS Science Learning

Bscs Science Learning: Understanding Ebola Virus Disease

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource features an Ebola virus interactive model that allows you to explore factors that either contribute to the spread of the virus or work to contain its spread.
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Primary
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Kongo, Making of African American Identity: V. 1

For Students 9th - 10th
Eight watercolor drawings and an accompanying narrative from an Italian Catholic missionary about the peoples in the Kingdom of Kongo (present-day Angola).
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Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: Islamic Manuscripts From Mali

For Students 9th - 10th
Library of Congress site features 32 Islamic manuscripts in Arabic from Timbukti, Mali, and West Africa.
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: Enslavement

For Students 9th - 10th
A very good description of how Africans were enslaved in Africa for sale to the Europeans. See how the introduction of European weapons changed the dynamic in West Africa.
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Handout
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.

New Georgia Encyclopedia: Geechee and Gullah Culture

For Students 9th - 10th
Discover the Georgia Sea Islands which are home to the Geechee and Gullah culture that are part of West African ethnic groups.
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Handout
Encyclopedia of Earth

Encyclopedia of Earth: Benin

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides an overview of Benin, including its geography, natural resources, history, government, economy, and much more. Maps and images are also included, along with sources used to create the entry.
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Article
Other

Spread of Islam in West Africa: Rahman Doi

For Students 9th - 10th
A very in-depth essay about the spread and Influence of Islam in West Africa. Organized into the following sections - "Spread of Islam in West Africa," "Islam in the ancient empire of Ghana," "Islam in the empire of Mali," "Islam in the...
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Activity
Other

Read Works: West Africa: Introduction to West Africa [Pdf]

For Teachers 4th
An informational text about the history of West Africa. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
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Handout
University of Calgary

University of Calgary: West Africa

For Students 9th - 10th
Article from the University of Calgary that examines the development and growth of Islam in West Africa. The Islamic religion is traced from the beginning of the period through today.
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Website
Nations Online Project

Nations Online: Burkina Faso

For Students 9th - 10th
A great country profile that takes you on a virtual trip to Burkina Faso in West Africa. An overview is given on its art, culture, people, environment, geography, history, economy, and government. There are also numerous links available...
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Website
Nations Online Project

Nations Online: Togo

For Students 9th - 10th
Offers an excellent online resource and country profile of the Western African nation of Togo, background overview, and numerous links to key sources of information on the nation's culture, history, geography, economy, environment,...
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Website
Nations Online Project

Nations Online: Sierra Leone

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a complete reference tool and travel guide to the Western African nation of Sierra Leone that includes a broad background overview and numerous links to sources with in-depth information on the nation's culture, history,...
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Website
Nations Online Project

Nations Online: Guinea Bissau

For Students 9th - 10th
Features a destination guide to Guinea-Bissau giving background details and numerous links to comprehensive information on the nation's culture, history, geography, economy, environment, population, news, government, and much more...
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Activity
Other

World Socialist Web Site: A Journey Through Africa's Civilizations

For Students 9th - 10th
From the World Socialist Web Site, this is a review of Harvard professor Henry Gates' book, "Wonders of the African World." It includes interesting details of Gates' attempts to piece together a view of precolonial African history. (4...
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Graphic
University of Texas at Austin

University of Texas: Gambia Maps

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides numerous maps for the country of Gambia in Africa. Content includes variuos country maps, city maps, and historical maps.
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Website
BBC

Bbc: Bitesize: Music of Africa

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is a part of the About Music site of the BBC, and this interactive site lets you explore various parts of Africa, their music, their instruments, their sounds. Requires Real Player.