Africa

NAME: Brigette Walters

Grade Level: 2

Subject(s):

• Social Studies/Geography
• Technology and map making

Description: Students will be learning information about Africa within a month time period. The
unit will consist of the overall features of Africa: the countries, landforms, and animals. Toward
the end of the month, students will focus one to two weeks on Kenya. The learner will do various
art, technology, and research activities to help them focus on the concepts being studied.
Through the unit, the learner will be responsible for a country and an animal. The responsibility
involves finding facts and information on the item and then sharing this information with the
class. Students will use a map making program online to create their own map. They will use
their Geography text book to determine where all the correct countries and landforms are placed.
They will learn how to create a key or legend for capitol cities, mountains, deserts and river
symbols. This activity will help the students to become more technologically inclined while
learning the geography of Africa.

Goal: Students will gain new information about Africa.

National/State Standards:

Second Grade Social Studies

Competencies and Objectives:

1. Develop an understanding of school/neighborhoods in relationship to the expanding horizon

theme. (C, H, G, E)
e. Recognize varieties of family life and cultures (e.g., rural, urban, national, and
international {For Example: China}, etc.).

3. Demonstrate the ability to use social studies tools (e.g., timelines, compass, maps, globes,
graphs, etc.). (C, H, G, E)
c. Identify and apply cardinal directions.

5. Integrate, connect and apply social studies into other subject areas and everyday life.
(C, H, G)
b. Compare and contrast various styles of art and music from different cultures (e.g., China).
NETS –S Standards:

Second Grade NETS for Students:

1. Use input devices (e.g., mouse, keyboard, remote control) and output devices (e.g.,
monitor, printer) to successfully operate computers, VCRs, audiotapes, and other
technologies. (1)

2. Use a variety of media and technology resources for directed and independent learning
activities. (1, 3)

4. Use developmentally appropriate multimedia resources (e.g., interactive books,

educational software, elementary multimedia encyclopedias) to support learning. (1)

6. Demonstrate positive social and ethical behaviors when using technology. (2)

7. Practice responsible use of technology systems and software. (2)

Objectives:

1. The learner will gather information about animals, snakes, and birds of Africa.
2. The learner will appreciate the importance of preservation and beauty of animals, snakes,
and birds of Africa.
3. The learner will gain knowledge of the geography of Africa including the capitols of
African countries and the spatial landforms after using map making technologies.

Materials:

• pieces of paper with African animals listed on them

• books of different animals
• pictures of African animals to color
• report sheets
• toy animals
• encyclopedias
• basket
• example of toilet paper roll
• computer with Internet access
• Map Maker software
• Geography textbook
• printer with sufficient paper

Procedures:
Activity One (notice that the first part include the Teacher’s procedures/actions and the second
part consists of Students’ procedures/tasks to complete the activity)

1. Prepare classroom environment for the activity and collect necessary materials for
students to use.
2. Develop instructional materials such as the report sheet to be handed to students.
3. Play the part of the movie "I can't wait to be king" by Lion King on a DVD player.
4. Gather the class at the reading rug.
5. Demonstrate to the class that they will pick an animal out of the basket. The animal that
they pick will be the animal that they have to find information about.
6. Demonstrate to the class how they will fill in their report.
7. Show class the material that they may use to help them locate information about their
animals.
8. Each student will pick an animal out of the basket.
9. The students may work with other students (only if they need to share the same book and
have the same animal).
10. The student will fill out the report sheet that the teacher distributes (5 facts relating to
their animals).
11. After the child has finished their report sheets, they will either draw or color a picture of
their animal.
12. Students will make a classroom presentation of the animal by discussing why they chose
their animals, explaining the 5 facts they collected, and show their drawings.
13. At the end of the period, show the class an example of a “toilet paper roll animal” that
they will make the following day.

Activity Two

• The teacher will make sure that the Map Maker software is installed on all students’
computers
• The teacher will demonstrate what each student must to do complete their map of Africa
• The teacher will explain the use of a key or legend and why it is important to use one
when creating a map
• The teacher will show students how to customize their map to be unique of others (Ex.
making each country a different color)
• The students will use the software program to label all the countries along with the
capitol cities
• Students will label all rivers, lakes, mountain ranges and deserts
• Students will create a key with the appropriate symbols
• After using Map Maker, the students will complete an online matching game that has the
students match each African capitol with its country
• The students will print their maps and turn them in for the teacher to grade

Assessment/Evaluation:
Activity One

1. The student will have to state 5 facts in front of the class individually or with another
student who did the same animal, explain why they chose that animal, and show their
artwork.
2. After the reports, ask the class which animal weighed the most? Which part of Africa do
a majority of the animals live? What type of food do the animals eat?
3. Collect the report sheets to see if each student completed the report accurately. This
activity will be worth thirty points total (20 points for the report and drawing, and 10 for
the presentation).

Activity Two

1. The students will take an online test that has questions regarding the various landforms
and important rivers, lakes, mountains and deserts.
2. The online test will allow students to test their knowledge on the geography of Africa.
3. The test will allow the teacher to assess his or her students’ knowledge and determine
how effective the lesson was in helping each student gain a better understanding of the
continent.
4. The test will be worth 50 points and will be multiple choice. There will be a total of 25
questions.