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Art and Life in Africa Project

Lesson Plan Databank


Plan Number: 027

Title/Lesson/Theme: Cultural Conflicts in Nigeria

Designed by: Marcus Miller

Grade level/Discipline: 10/World Cultures

Estimated Time: 4-5 class periods

Objectives (what will be assessed?):

Students will:

Description/Background:

This lesson attempts to explore how the different culture groups in Nigeria relate given the current political conflicts in the country. The lesson will provide students the opportunity to examine a country and to try and identify reasons for conflict between the culture groups.

Step by Step Procedure:

Period 1

1. introduce the students to the Art and Life in Africa CD

2. divide students into groups of three or so

3. using the countries and peoples category have students click on Nigeria. Students will then look at the information on all ethnic groups listed to determine the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria

4. as a class, develop categories by which to analyze the major ethnic groups. Examples could include cosmology, political systems, economy, religious beliefs, role of the individual, status of women, along with others identified by students

5. assign vocabulary words for students to define

Period 2

6. locate the ethnic groups on the map of Nigeria

7. hand out an outline map of Nigeria and have students complete by themselves or in groups.

8. students should identify what geographical features may cause conflicts

9. assign student groups one of the three major ethnic groups

Periods 3-4

10. have students read "Can an Igbo become Nigeria's president, again?" and discuss questions

11. using the slide show and index tools have the groups prepare a report on their assigned group. The report should use 10 - 15 images to help in explaining the culture

12. use supplemental materials from the Internet or library to assist in the report

Period 5

13. students will present their reports to class

14. based on their analysis of the groups culture, have students suggest reasons for conflict between the groups

Assignment in CD (essays, chapters):

Countries and Peoples section. Use slide show and index tools to access appropriate text and images.

Studio Materials Needed:

none

Vocabulary:

acephalous, allegiance, coalitions, cosmology, deities, despotic, egalitarian, enthronement, headman, hierarchical, homage, lineage, matrilineal, monotheistic, paramount, patrilineal, polytheistic

Evaluation/Assessment tool (how will objectives be assessed?:

report to class on culture groups; completion of map; knowledge of vocabulary; validity of hypothesis

Bibliography/Alternative resources:

Websites:




Submitted 7/24/98