Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Power of Symbols in West African Art

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine and analyze symbols used in the Asante community of Ghana and look at the history of power struggles in West Africa. They discover how to express meaning and power as they create their own symbols and short...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

West African Art

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students engage in a lesson that is concerned with the concept of West African Art. They conduct research using a variety of resources. They focus upon the history, geography, economics, and political systems. The information is used to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Modern Day Mona Lisa

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars create a portrait of a woman from our current era. They discuss what they would include in a portrait for our era in the U.S., list current trends and styles, and create a modern-day "Mona Lisa" portrait.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using West African Gold Weights and African Masks as a Way of Communication

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders discuss how communication, or lack thereof, can have either a favorable or detrimental effect on a community. They study and interpret proverbs as a means of teaching a lesson. Finally they discuss symbolism and design a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making Akan Gold Weights and Understanding their Proverbial Meanings

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Learners examine a variety of gold weights used by the Asante in West Africa. In groups, they discuss the purpose of the gold weights and practice saying proverbs associated with different pieces of art. To end the lesson, they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Power and the Communication of Values in West African Art of the Past and Present

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders examine art from West Africa from the past and present. In groups, they compare their community to the one depicted in the artwork and note the similiarities. To end the activity, they discuss the concept of power and how...