Back to Unit Design Databank Index

Back to ALA Teachers' Forum

Art and Life in Africa Project

Lesson Plan Databank


Plan Number: 032

Title/Lesson/Theme: Identifying African Ethnic Groups and Their Cultures

Designed by: Shawna Jacobsen & Allen Lorenz

Grade level/Discipline: Grade 6/Social Studies, Art

Estimated Time: 2-4 days

Objectives (what will be assessed?):

The students will identify an ethnic group of a particular country of Africa and examine its cultural traits.

Description/Background:

As part of a larger unit researching African countries, students encounter many ethnic groups. As students learn about their individual country, they will find ethnic groups with their own unique culture. Students, using the CD "Art and Life in Africa," will identify various cultural traits of a major ethnic group of their country.

Step by Step Procedure:

1. Break the classroom into groups of two or three and have each group draw a country to research.

2. Each group will locate their country on the map of Africa within the CD program.

3. After identifying the country, the students will use the individual country map to select a major ethnic group to investigate.

4. Students will find various art objects, field photos, media and texts of their ethnic group and select four to six cultural items to examine.

5. Students will display their cultural items to the class, giving a brief explanation of their use and meaning. This can be done through various means, such as student-produced slide shows or handmade art work.

Assignment in CD (essays, chapters):

See Countries Database

Studio Materials Needed:

misc. art materials

Vocabulary:

Define in content of CD material or by teacher in discussions with groups.

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

Completion of step-by-step procedure, on-task behavior, cooperation within groups, and criteria established by teacher for oral presentation.

Bibliography/Alternative resources:

Websites:




Submitted 7/28/98