STEP Standard 2 - Writing Standards-Based Measurable

Objectives and Learning Goals

Part of the planning process is to identify overall learning goals for a unit or lesson, as well as the
lesson’s specific learning objectives. Goals and objectives should be aligned not only to
standards, but also to student pre-assessment data.
The unit you are planning should be one you are preparing to teach during Weeks 5-7. The
standards and objectives need to align with your pre- and post-assessments and objectives.
Note: You will not teach this unit until you get feedback from both your instructor and your
mentor teaching on this STEP.

Unit Topic: West Africa

Unit Title: West Africa 400 -1500s CE

National or State Academic Content Standards:

7.21: Identify and locate the geographical features of West Africa, including:
Atlantic Ocean, Niger River, Djenne, The Sahara, Gulf of Guinea , Timbuktu

7.22: Explain indigenous African spiritual traditions, including: ancestor worship, animism, and
the relationship between humans and deities.

7.23: Analyze the growth of the kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai, including cities such as
Djenne and Timbuktu as centers of trade, culture, and learning.

7.24: Describe the role of the Trans-Saharan caravan trade in the changing religious and cultural
characteristics of West Africa and in the exchange of salt, gold, and slaves.

7.25: Explain the importance of griots in the transmission of West African history and culture.

7.26: Explain the importance of the Malian king Mansa Musa and his pilgrimage to Mecca in
1324.
Learning Goal: Students will explore how civilizations combine through intermingling of
culture and tradition by examining the kingdoms of Medieval Africa. Students will use primary
cultural texts and contextualizing articles to learn how the kingdoms of West Africa were deeply
influenced by trade and the spread of Islam. Rulers exploited the vast natural wealth of the
continent and relied on the land’s fertility and rich mineral richness to support war-making and

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trade. Islam and the influence of caravans out of the Sahara spread culture and ideas throughout
Western Africa that melded with traditional arts and customs. Ultimately, the Slave Trade and
European Mercantilism caused great harm to these wealthy African kingdoms as outside actors
sought to exploit these resources for themselves

Measurable Objectives:
Students will be able to explain how African kingdoms grew and what the main centers of
culture are for those kingdoms.
Students will be able to describe how caravans spread Islamic influence through West Africa via
trade.
Students will be able to describe how Islam and Christianity changed native African religion.
Students will be able to summarize how West African civilization developed and changed from
empire to empire.
Students will be able to explain the importance of the pilgrimage of Mansa Musa on the global
and regional West African economy.

If you would like feedback on your pre-assessment for alignment prior to administering, copy it
in here.

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