Curated OER
The Percussion Family
Second graders complete a unit to learn about the percussion family and African and Latin drumming. In this percussion lesson, 2nd graders complete 9 lessons to learn about the percussion family. Students learn to use shakers and sticks,...
Curated OER
Africans and African Americans
Students complete small group tasks related to racism as it applies to African Americans, African immigrants, and white immigrants. Through discussion of their findings, students explain of challenges in society that African immigrants...
Curated OER
The Struggles Between "Something Old" and "Something New"
Students explore traditional life in Africa and assess how modern society may be impacting the values of the continent's traditional peoples. Students work in small groups to research various aspects of the infrastructures of African...
Curated OER
How to Celebrate Kwanzaa on Your Campus
An article details everything you need to know about celebrating Kwanzaa at your school. An opening-day ceremony starts the seven-day holiday celebration followed a daily routine that includes a greeting, candle lighting, reciting an...
Curated OER
My Favorite Holiday Tradition
In this holiday traditions worksheet, students draw a picture and write a story about one of their favorite holiday traditions. Students may use the word bank for assistance: candle, celebrate, Christmas, dinner, gifts, Hanukkah,...
Curated OER
Spirituals
Students review factors that contributed to the development of the spiritual, which reflects the influence of African religious and Christian traditions, and slavery. Students collect spirituals/songs of their heritage from family...
Curated OER
Not the Stereotypical Immigrant?
Students complete a Venn diagram comparing the stereotypes of modern African immigrants to those of other major immigrant groups in the U.S. They write an essay on their observations.
Curated OER
Africa/United States-How do we compare materially?
Pupils discuss the material possessions of an African or American family. They examine how the material possessions of a family and the uses of their possessions are affected by their place of living.
Curated OER
Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain
Students identify the African Plains and the plants and animals that are found on the plain, which are of a benefit to humans. They listen to the story and actively participate in a choral reading of Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain.
Curated OER
The Art of the Quilt
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...
Curated OER
A Gift to Give
Students investigate the holiday Kwanzaa by drawing pictures. In this cultural tradition lesson, students discuss the history and actions that take place during the holiday of Kwanzaa. Students draw a picture of a gift they would give to...
Curated OER
The Story of Kwanzaa
Celebrate Kwanzaa with a game of Kalah, also known as Mankala or Owara. Using an egg carton and a set of beans, players take all of the beans out of one of his or her cups and move to the right, dropping one bean into each of the next...
Curated OER
Healthy Girls, Healthy Villages
Students consider the impact of education. In this global issues lesson, students explore the effectiveness of the Camp GLOW program in Niger. Students discuss the issues that face women and girls in Niger and identify how education can...
Curated OER
The Meaning of Rock Art
Students examine the significance of rock art. They discuss and view examples of historical rock art, and create a design on a rock that tells a story using African and American symbols.
Curated OER
Studying the African Immigration Lesson Plan
High schoolers read a narrative, conduct an interview and write an autobiographical piece highlighting their findings about an immigrant's experience leaving their country.
Lee & Low Books
First Come the Zebra Teacher’s Guide
Accompany a reading of First Come the Zebra written and illustrated by Lynne Barasch with a teacher's guide equipped with before reading, vocabulary, and after reading activities. Additional social studies, science, music, art, math, and...
Curated OER
Tribes And Tribulations
Students explore South African history from pre-colonial times to today. They create a timeline of important events in South African history and reflect on connections between this timeline and the existence of tribal traditions in the...
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Ways we are Alike/ Ways we are Different
Young scholars complete a chart comparing and contrasting African villages with their own communities. The lesson focuses on the Mbuti and Fulani people. They explore their style of living, their traditions and everyday life in these...
Curated OER
Kwanzaa
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.
Curated OER
Different Ways We Celebrate
Students examine a variety of ways that families celebrate winter holidays. They complete a graphic organizer comparing Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, and write a five-sentence paragraph about one of the holidays discussed. Students...
Curated OER
Unsung Military Heroes
In this lesson, students are introduced to the contributions made by African-American soldiers that have been excluded from traditional textbooks. To gain an appreciation for these unsung heroes, students engage in research to ultimately...
Curated OER
Granary Door Dogon, Mali
Pupils explore a creation myth. In this visual arts lesson, students discuss the Dogon creation myth and the design and make refrigerator magnets in the style of Dogan granary doors. The design of the magnets should include linear and...
Curated OER
Magic, Sass, and Rage
Students are introduced to the characteristics of autobiographies. In groups, they read Maya Angelou's "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" and develop their own rules for survival in the classroom. They bring in family photos in an...
Curated OER
Kwanzaa
Learners examine the holiday of Kwanzaa. In groups, they discuss "The Seven Principles" and the history of the holiday. They explore the objects that are used and what they represent. They end the lesson plan with a discussion of the...