Africa - Current Issues Project
This project encapsulates the issues facing the continent of Africa. Students
will be exposed to a variety of visual imagery, statistical data, current news
articles, and other reputable sources related to Africa in order to better
understand our global village. Students will engage in problem-based learning
strategies to formulate problems and solutions that are pertinent to this continent.
The instructional method of problem based learning challenges students to “learn
to learn”, working cooperatively in groups to seek solutions to real
world problems. These problems are used to engage students’ curiosity
and initiate learning the subject matter. Problem based learning prepares students
to think critically and analytically, and to find and use appropriate learning
resources.
As students work through this unit, they will participate in a wide-range of
both independent and group activities. Students will begin with an independent
photo reflection via the Internet and will continue on in small groups as they
assess a particular issue facing Africa. The project will culminate in small
group presentations where students will have the opportunity to make connections
and take time to reflect on their work and the work of others.
| Resources | WJHS Africa Resource Page | |
| Opening Day Monday, April 20 |
Open up your eyes to the tranquility and tragedy of the African continent through a series of expressive pictures. | Evaluate the photos of Africa to draw conclusion about the current life on the continent. |
| Reflection Assignment Assigned: Monday, April 20 Due: Thursday, April 23 |
After watching the two videos in class, you are to go to the Reflection Assignment and choose one photo that you found interesting, powerful or meaningful. You will write one or two descriptive paragraphs about that photo. Explain why it is important to you. Include specific details about the photo, and include the photo number so we all know which photo you wrote about. Email your assignment to your teacher by the due date. We will look at some of these reflections in class. | |
| Africa Political Map Assignemnt Assigned: Monday, April 20 Due: Thursday, April 23 | Label all listed countries on the outline map and also write the name of each capital city on the lines provided. You should also shade the map by regions. | |
| Statistics Discussion In-class on Tuesday, April 21 |
Learn how to read different types of graphs and charts, and learn how to look at several different charts at once to see the bigger picture. What would a chart on infant mortality, clean water access and number of people-per-television tell you about a particular country? | |
| Movie/Discussion : Invisible Children In-class on Wednesday, April 22 and Thursday, April 23 |
This documentary uncovers the life of children in Uganda and the effects on their life after a 20-year war in this country. | |
Group Assignment **Presentations begin on Wednesday, May 6 |
In groups of 3 or 4 you will research a current issue concerning Africa. You will become an expert on that problem as well as come up with multiple ways to help solve the problem. What can Africans do to help themselves? What can their governments do for them? What should America do? | |
| Final Discussion: Friday, May 8 |
The final presentation and discussion for this project.
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| Calendar of assignments | Project Calendar | |
| rottnerc@wilmette39.org | gustafsn@wilmette39.org | |
Africa - Current Issues Project: http://www.wilmette39.org/wjhs/projects/africa/