Nortel LearniT

Grade Focus: Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
Age Level: 11, 12, 13
Subject: Social Studies
Technology Integration Activity: Discovering the Internet, Imaging, PowerPoint Presentations
Estimated Time of Completion: 6-10 days (45 minute classes)

Author: Terence O'Neill Last modified: 03/13/2008

African Country Study and PowerPoint Presentation

African Country Study and PowerPoint Presentation lesson plan in MS Word format.

African_Country_Study_and_PowerPoint_Presentation_031308.doc (DOC, 566K)

African Country Study and PowerPoint Presentation

African Country Study and PowerPoint Presentation lesson plan in PDF format

African_Country_Study_and_PowerPoint_Presentation_031308.pdf (PDF, 200K)

African Countries - List (valid as of 031308)

African Countries - List (valid as of 031308) in MS Word format, accompanies African Country Study and PowerPoint Presentation lesson plan

African Countries 03_13_08.doc (DOC, 50K)

Introduction

How does geography affect the lives of the people of Africa? Compare and contrast various countries of the world. How would your life be different if you lived in another country and not in the United States of America? What is the most effective way to learn and gather information on another country and its citizens?

Prerequisite Experience

Students should have a basic understanding of geographic concepts and Africa's location in the world. Students should know how to do research on the Internet. Students should have a basic knowledge of PowerPoint.

Teacher Prep Time

Review these training videos from Nortel LearniT

Discovering the Internet, http://nortellearnit.org/technology/Discovering_the_Internet/
Imaging, http://www.nortellearnit.org/technology/Imaging/
PowerPoint Presentations, http:.//nortellearnit.org/technology/PowerPoint_Presentations/

During the Engage section of the lesson, the teacher may want to show a few pictures of Africa or play some music from Africa, but not explain too much, only use them to spark conversation and to arouse student curiosity.

These web sites might help.

MATERIALS:
Access to the Internet
PowerPoint Software
Access to books and primary sources on Africa
Paper and writing materials
Projector

Note: A list of African countries, current as of 03/13/08 accompanies this presentation.

Project

Students will use the Internet and other sources to research information on a country in Africa. Students will then use that information to create a PowerPoint presentation which they will present to the class.

Assessment/Grading

The PowerPoint length can vary depending on student ability. Students who work slower can be given extra time to finish. Students that have difficulty with writing will be allowed to use a word processor with spell and grammar check. They can also be allowed an extra re-write. Students who are more advanced, or who finish early can help other students by proofreading their writing and helping to re-teach the material. Students who are more advanced can search out and interview someone who has lived in or visited their country; the student can then include that interview as part of their PowerPoint. The questions asked by the teacher to check for understanding can vary based on ability and by level of comprehension.

Time Management Tips

Students need to individually complete the PowerPoint, but can help each other by doing a peer review of the other PowerPoint presentations prior to the presentations.

Lesson Plan Details

Engage

1. Write down as much as you know about Africa. Is there anything you would like to learn about Africa? Brainstorm for 10 to 15 minutes.

2. Share your ideas and questions with your class. Make a list on Excel with two columns. One column will have what you already know about Africa. The other will have what you would like to learn about Africa. Use the projector and display the lists daily for the remainder of the lesson. You will add to the lists throughout the course of the lesson.

3. Using Google Earth or another satellite program, look at the satellite photo of Africa. Describe what you see in the map. Draw conclusions about the geography of Africa. Are there any ways you see how the geography influences the culture of Africa.
"Google Earth combines the power of Google Search with satellite imagery, maps, terrain and 3D buildings to put the world's geographic information at your fingertips." Download for free at: http://earth.google.com/
4. You will use the Internet and other sources to research information on a country in Africa. You will then use that information to create a PowerPoint presentation to present to your class.

Explore

1. Write down as many countries you can think of in Africa. You may only be able to name a few and you may even name wrong ones, but give it a try.
2. Compare your list to the list on the overhead. How many did you know? Were all of the ones you chose correct? Are there any countries on the list that you didn't know? Are there ones on the list, you hear about all the time? You will be researching and creating a PowerPoint on one of these countries. Decide which country you would like to learn more about.
3. To complete this project, you'll need a computer with a PowerPoint, and Internet access.

Before you begin your research, you may want to review these sites:

CIA Fact Book

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html

Fact Monster

http://www.factmonster.com/

African Studies Center

http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Home_Page/Country.html

Ancient Africa for Kids

http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/africa/

Exploring Africa

http://exploringafrica.matrix.msu.edu/teachers/curriculum/m6/activity4.php

Africa "Just for Kids"

http://www.calacademy.org/exhibits/africa/kids.htm

PBS Africa for Kids

http://pbskids.org/africa/

Time for Kids: Africa

http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/specials/goplaces/0,12405,384364,00.html

Explain

1. You will have a one-on-one meeting with your teacher to discuss your progress on the PowerPoint.

2. If you are struggling to find enough research on your specific country, you can either discuss additional web sites with your teacher or perhaps choose another country.

3. Consider reviewing these videos on Africa. You may want to include clips into your PowerPoint.
a. Africa: People and Places. Discovery Channel School. 2004.
unitedstreaming. 5 February 2008

b. The Horn of Africa. United Learning. 1994.
unitedstreaming. 5 February 2008
http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/
c. South Africa: A Land Apart. United Learning. 1994.
unitedstreaming. 5 February 2008

Alternately, you may be able to find specific videos on the country you have chosen.

"Discovery Education streaming is a digital video-on-demand and online teaching service to help improve students' retention and test scores; it is aligned to U.S. state and provincial standards." If you do not have access to United Streaming, you can sign up for a free 30 day trial at www.unitedstreaming.com.

National Geographic is an excellent resource to use for information on your specific country.

• http://www3.nationalgeographic.com/places/continents/continent_africa.html

Elaborate

You should answer the following questions during your presentation:
• Where your country is located?
• What are the geographic Features of your country?
• What is the climate of your country?
• What is the environment of your country?
• What is the history of your country?
• What are the customs and traditions of your country?
• What type of Government does your country have?
• What is the economy like in your country?
• What are the major tourist attractions in your country? 2. Once you have completed your research, you will use the information and create a PowerPoint presentation of your country. Before you begin, you may want to review the Nortel LearniT training videos on PowerPoint found at:
• http://www.nortellearnit.org/technology/PowerPoint_Presentations/

Use the PowerPoint Storyboard below to organize your slides.

3. Prior to presenting your PowerPoint presentation to the class, have another peer review to check for errors and/or make suggestions to help finalize your PowerPoint.

4. Now that you have completed your PowerPoint presentation, you will share it with the class. You might want to take a look at a Nortel LearniT video tutorial and get some good tips and tricks on making a great presentation.

Take notes on the other presentations.

PowerPoint Storyboard example: http://nortellearnit.org/resources/Handouts/default_page#922a760d_2e15_4deb_b547_25cc6a4fdcdc

Evaluate

Evaluate
Work will be evaluated using the attached project rubric.
PowerPoint Project Evaluation Rubric

Criteria	Unsatisfactory	Needs Improvement	Satisfactory	Exemplary
Research	Limited research, from limited sources	Somewhat well research from somewhat varied sources.	Well researched, from various sources	Thorough research from varied sources presenting different points of view
Storyboard / planning	Limited planning evident	Some planning evident	Planning evident	Thorough planning evident
Content	Lacks detail	Some detail	Good detail	Excellent detail
Technology Use to Demonstrate Understanding	Technology use with little purpose	Technology use with some purpose	Technology use with purpose	Intuitive technology use with specific purpose
Overall Final Project	Inconsistent and inappropriate aesthetics and technical functionality	Somewhat consistent and appropriate aesthetics and technical functionality	Consistent and appropriate aesthetics and technical functionality	Consistent, creative and appropriate aesthetics and technical functionality

Write a self-evaluation reflective journal about what you have learned. What did you contribute to your class? How could you improve? What else would you like to learn about the countries of Africa? How is your country similar and different from the other countries?

Extend

Consider some of these suggestions for extending the activity.
1. Create a travel brochure about your country. Why would someone want to visit your country? What activities would they be able to enjoy?
2. After hearing all of the class presentations, write a short essay describing which countries you would most want to travel to on vacation and why.
3. Pretend that you have just returned from vacation in Africa. Write a short essay describing your trip.
4. Find a food recipe from your country and make the food.

Related Resources

CIA Fact Book - Use the web site's dropdown list to select the country you wish to research.