Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African Ceramic Portrait Vessel

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers create a piece of art inspired by traditional African pieces.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African Clothing

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore African clothing. In this African culture social studies lesson, students brainstorm types of clothing they wear for different occasions. Students view photographs of Africans wearing Western clothing and "special...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Social Studies: African Clothing Tour

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students identify examples of African clothing for casual and special occasions. After the teacher models types of African garb, they brainstorm reasons why people wear certian types of dress. They view pictures of various African...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Family Traditions, Customs and Beliefs

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students discuss African childhood, explore family traditions, customs, and beliefs, examine African recipes, discuss differences or similarities in food preparation between the U.S. and Africa, and prepare a dish with adult supervision.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Children's Literature Across the Curriculum Ideas-OGBO : Sharing Life in an African Village

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
Students read OGBO: Sharing Life in an African Village by Ifcoma Onyefulu. They complete a variety of cross-curricular activities surrounding the study of Nigerian culture. Included are reading, art, math, science, writing, social...
Lesson Plan
Diane Venzera

Kwanzaa Celebration: Celebrating Family, Community, and Culture

For Teachers K - 3rd
Kwanzaa is the focus of a three-part lesson that celebrates the history and traditions of the holiday. Before lighting the Kinara, scholars listen to a read-aloud of Seven Candles of Kwanzaa by Andrea Davis Pinkney. Learners express...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Cultural Geography of Africa South of the Sahara "Kente Cloth"

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students read several articles about West African strip weaving of Kente cloth. They explore the cultural context in which strip weaving occurs. They answer four comprehension questions and compose a magazine article about strip weaving.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Adinkra Cloth

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

African Folk Tales

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders listen to, recite, and research African folktales. They research African artwork to add to their original folk tales which they write.
Activity
Curated OER

African Clothing

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students correctly identify examples of everyday clothing and special occasion clothing worn in Africa. Students will classify clothing as that used for everyday or special occasion.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Music in West Africa

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore power and the symbols of power in West African music. They discuss the music of West Africa and compare it to African American music of today. In addition, they investigate musical instruments of Africa, identify the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African Markets: Out in the Open

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students identify advantages and disadvantages of African open air markets. They discuss the types of items sold there and why the markets are outdoors. They observe a bartering session between the teacher and another adult. Finally,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Art of the Quilt

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students examine why fabric was first sewn in layers and how it was used. They identify, compare and make 3 different fabric design types which will become a basis for looking at the quilts created by African Americans. They begin the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Cajuns: Natives with a Difference!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the immigrant experiences of various culture groups. Using this information, they work together to compare and contrast these experiences with those of the Cajuns. As a class, they define ethnic group and research the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Kwanzaa

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students create a "mkeka" (place mat). They explain how particular symbols and associated colors are used to focus attention to the meaning of an African-American celebration called Kwanzaa.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Examples of Justice Systems and Practices in Western Africa

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders explore African belief systems. For this West African lesson, 10th graders research these belief systems. Students create a wooden figure that represents these beliefs.  
Worksheet
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Adaptation and Modification: The Masai

For Students 6th - 9th
For this African culture worksheet, students read a selection about the life of the Masai people and then respond to 5 short answer questions. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Teacher Lesson Plans: Africa

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students explore Africa. In this cultural studies lesson, students go on safari, create African masks, or have an African party after they have researched the people, geography, and culture of the continent.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Adinkra Printed Textiles

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine printed textiles that commemorate events, people, and objectives. In this Adinkra printed textile lesson, students explore Africa as they discover the patterns and techniques for creating Adinkra symbols on textile....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

They Put on Masks

For Teachers K - 9th
Students discover Native American culture by creating masks.  In this customs lesson, students create their own masks in class from plaster and paint.  Students perform a skit in front of their school showcasing their mask...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Prairie Voices: Where People Come From

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students examine the human experience. In this migration lesson, students determine reasons for migration, discover the traits of cultural groups, and explore how groups of people come to share their experiences despite language,...
Activity
Curated OER

Markets of Africa

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students identify one advantage and one disadvantage to open air markets in Africa. students create a mural on paper to be hung on the classroom wall. Small groups make a stand of something that would be sold at an open air market.
Graphic
Other

University of Pennsylvania: Traditional African Art

For Students 9th - 10th
A wonderful collection of images that includes masks, carvings, instruments, sabers, jewelry, furniture, terracotta and much more. Some have a brief description of their importance or meaning.
Interactive
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian: Choose Your Style

For Students 1st - 8th
Connect globally with young people from Africa by choosing traditional outfits or mix it up with urban wear influenced by African cultures. Create an identity all your own and encounter various people groups within Africa along the way....