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Curriculum Resources for Teachers

Curriculum Resources
Additional Resource Catalogs

Curriculum Resources

Tltle Author Description Reader
1,001 African Names Julia Stewart This is a selection of first and last names from all over Africa. Each name entry has a phonetic transcription to help the reader with the pronunciation, and the meaning. In addition to the selection of names, the book provides some background materials regarding naming customs, beliefs and traditions in some ethnic communities from Africa. (Citadel Press, 1996, 214pp) Grades K-12, Teacher resource
The Adinkra Dictionary W. Bruce Willis This book is a guide to understanding the language and symbols of the colorful hand-painted and hand-embroidered cloth used for mourning among the Akan people of Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire. The cloth, known as adinkra, contains verbal and visual images. The symbols and images are presented in this dictionary. (Pyramid Complex, 1998) Grades 5-12, Teacher resource
Africa Access Review Of K-12 Materials Brenda Randolph This guide to juvenile print and audio-visual materials on Africa contains approximately 200 reviews. The reviews were written by educators and librarians who have specialized in the study of Africa and have lived on the c ontinent. An excellent resource for evaluating the quality of the materials on Africa that are already a part of a school library's collection. (Africa Access, 1992, 101pp) Teacher resource
Africa Today: A Reproducible Atlas, 1996 (Revised Edition) World Eagle A large collection of maps, charts, and statistical tables on Africa. Topics include population, languages, natural resources, cities, agriculture, environmental conditions, schools, and jobs. The atlas also includes a ma p of every country. (World Eagle, 1996, 252pp) Grades K-12, Teacher resource
African Folktales and Activities Louise Orlando This collection of thirteen folktales comes from different ethnic communities in Africa. For each folktale, there is information regarding the ethnic community from which it was collected, the geography and culture of the people. In addition, there are activities suggested for each folktale which help to integrate the lessons of the stories with other learning skills in science, social studies, math, geography, language arts, and art. (Scholastic Professional Books, 1995, 80pp) Grades K-12, Teacher resource
African Proverbs and Wisdom Julia Stewart This book contains a collection of proverbs, riddles, songs, poetry, folk wisdom and famous sayings from fifty-three African nations. The sayings are entered on the days of the calendar commemorating African national holidays. The book takes the reader through a journey of discovery of ancient as well as contemporary wisdom among Africans. (Citadel Press, 1997, 192pp) Grades 7-12, Teacher resource
African Studies Outreach, A Newsletter for Teachers Suzanne Gott, et al. Past issues of the African Studies Outreach Newsletter for Teachers include articles focusing on such topics as Islam in Africa, African art exhibits in Indiana, and America's interdependence with Africa. Some art icles focus on specific countries such as Senegal, Nigeria, Somalia, Eritrea, Zambia, and Madagascar. A complete list of article titles is available upon request. (African Studies Program, Indiana University, Fall 1979-present (semi-annually)) Teacher resource
Afrophile: Recommended Titles on Africa for Children and Young People, 1994 Brenda Randolph This bibliography lists over 450 titles of quality materials on Africa. Only those materials receiving favorable recommendations from scholars on Africa are included in the book. Entries are arranged by "Elementary Titles," "Secondary Titles," and "Materials for Teachers." Each entry contains a brief description of the material's content. This is an invaluable resource for selecting materials on Africa. (Africa Access, March 1994, 179pp) Teacher resource
Classical Africa Molefi Kete Asante This history book explores ancient African civilizations from an Afrocentric perspective. Included are chapters on Ancient Egypt, Nubia, Axum, Ghana, Mali, and Songhay. After each section, there are questions intended to encourage critical thinking. (The People's Publishing Group, 1994, 150pp) Grades 9-12, Teacher resource
The Currency of Africa Newark Museum This book of postcards of paper money designs from 19 African currencies. It is based on money purchased in 1990 and before. The collection includes money from Algeria, Belgian Congo, Cameroon, Chad, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, French West Africa, Togo, Gabon, Ghana, Madagascar, Mali, Somalia and Uganda. (Pomegranate Artbooks, 1995) Grades K-12, Teacher resource
Curriculum Materials For Teachers (Second Edition)
A large collection of materials created over a ten year period by the African Studies Program at the University of Illinois. Topics covered in the collection include social institutions, agriculture and economic development, health and the environment, the arts, language and literature, and games. Although some of the materials are outdated, many are still viable resources. Materials for all grade levels are included. A list of titles is available upon request. (African Studies Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1985, 353pp) Teacher resource
Focus on Africa: Teacher's Edition Edward Reynolds This teachers' guide to Focus on Africa, contains seven chapters on African history. It covers ancient African civilizations, Atlantic slave trade, colonization, nationalism, contemporary Africa, as well as Africa's cultural contributions. (D.C. Heath and Company, 1994, 151pp) Teacher resource
The Games of Africa Jennifer Prior This is an introduction to five African games, mancala and yote from Burkina Faso, sey from Mali, achi, and the Guinean String Puzzle. The book is accompanied with a mancala game board, and 48 playing pieces for mancala. This is a variant of one of the oldest African games. (Harper Festival, 1994, 45pp) Grades 3-12, Teacher resource
Global Studies: Africa (Fifth Edition) F. Jeffress Ramsay This book in the Global Studies series focuses primarily on the countries of sub-Saharan Africa. It is divided into three parts: 1) regional essays, 2) country reports, and 3) world press articles. The regional essays provide a map and an overview of North, West, Central, East, and Southern Africa. Each country report includes a reproducible map, statistical information, a historical timeline and an essay summarizing historical, geographical, political, cultural, and economic information. The world press segment contains 27 news articles published primarily in 1992 and 1993 that cover a wide range of countries and topics. (Dushkin Publishing Group, 1993, 276pp) Grades 9-12, Teacher resource
Hands Across Africa: Integrating Multicultural Activities in the Elementary Classroom Catherine Nesbit and Lynn Evans (Eds) This book consists of activity-oriented lessons based on information from East Africa, West Africa, and Southern Africa. It is intended as a guideline for multicultural activities such as field trips, interviews, and various other adaptable activities. (Association of International Schools in Africa Overseas Schools Advisory Council, 1995, 206pp) Teacher resource
Introductory Guide to Africa Esther Wyss This book seeks to show the connections between the United States and the African continent. It focuses on the cultural, economic, and military connections. It also examines common issues of interest for the U.S. and Africa such as children and youth, the environment, food and hunger, and health. The lessons rely heavily on the use of articles from newspapers and magazines. Brief profiles and simple maps of each country are also included. (Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, 1989, 251pp) Grades 9-12 (some material can be adapted for grades 6-8), Teacher resource
K-12 Electronic Guide for African Resources on the Internet Ali B. Dinar This introductory guide is meant to assist teachers, librarians, and students in their search for on-line resources on Africa. The guide provides instructions for finding country-specific resources as well as information on African languages, the environment, travel in Africa, and more. (African Studies Program, University of Pennsylvania, 1994, 23pp) Grades K-12, Teacher resource
Linking American Students with Peace Corps Volunteers: World Wise Schools and the Peace Corps Partnership Program Susan E. Hume This packet was produced for a presentation given at the 1995 Indiana Council for the Social Studies Conference on two school-related Peace Corps programs. It includes a description of the programs and explains how teachers can get their students involved. The packet also includes samples of lesson plans produced by World Wise Schools that focus on the countries of Cameroon, Lesotho, and Senegal. (African Studies Program, Indiana University, April, 1995, 20pp) Teacher resource
The New Atlas of African History G.S.P. Freeman-Grenville This atlas contains over 100 maps accompanied by extensive explanations to illustrate the continent's fascinating history from the early stone age to the present. The detailed, two-color maps show relief to emphasize the significant role that desert, forest, savanna, mountain, and river have played in Africa's history. (Simon & Schuster, 1991, 144pp) Grades 9-12, Teacher resource
A Nigerian Notebook: Units and Resources for Teachers and Parents, Early Childhood, and Elementary Nigerian Curriculum Development Project This resource book provides background reading about Nigeria for teachers in addition to unit plans entitled "Awareness Unit on Nigeria," "Let's Eat Our Way Through Africa," and "Let's Make Music and Verse." It also include s a section entitled "Resources for Teachers and Parents of Children 5-8 years." (Center for Professional Development, University of Kentucky, 1980, 75pp) Grades K-5, Teacher resource
Recent Trends in African History Jo Sullivan This article from Social Education magazine explains how historians have shifted their focus on Africa's past. The author discusses some of the themes that historians of Africa explore such as Africa's interaction with the rest of the world, early history and oral traditions, women in Africa, and the re-evaluation of the colonial period. (National Council for the Social Studies, November/December, 1982, 8pp) Teacher resource
Senegal: Gateway to Africa Edris Makward, et al. This collection of articles appeared in Faces, The Magazine About People. The first article provides an overview of Senegal. It briefly describes the country's history, people, landscape, religion, and food. Other articles are entitled "Islam in Senegal," "The King of Sedo (a Wolof folktale)," "Gore, Door of No Return," and "Learning American Business, A Young Man in New York." (American Museum of National History, March, 1994, 36pp) Grades 9-12, Teacher resource
Teaching About the New South Africa Diane L. Brook, Sherry L. Field, and D. Labbo The political and social climate in South Africa has changed tremendously over the past few years. This collection of articles from the February 1995 issue of Social Education offers teachers background information and teaching resources on post-apartheid South Africa. (National Council for the Social Studies, February 1995, 18pp) Teacher resource
Themes in African and World History George E. Brooks, Jr. This is a collection of three articles written for teachers of high school and college World History and Afro-American History courses. The articles are entitled "A Schema for Integrating Africa into World History," "Tropical Africa: The Colonial Herita ge," and "The African Heritage and the Slave Trade." (African Studies Program, Indiana University, 1982, 59pp) Teacher resource
The Travelers' Guide to African Customs and Manners Elizabeth Devine and Nancy L. Braganti (St. Martin's Press New York, 1995)
West Africa: An American Heritage George E. Urch Concentrating on the West African country of Ghana, this book is divided into three sections sub-divided into several topics. "The Expressive Arts" contains various student activities: Arts and Crafts; Music and Dance; Folktales; and Poetry. The "Lesson Plan and Unit Outline Section" has interesting student readings - "An Individual African in a Changing Society," "Colonialism and Nation Building," and the section "Units on Africa - Bringing Africa into the Elementary Classroom." The "Resource Section" has case studies, interviews, and newspaper clippings on individual Africans; changing institutions; colonialism and liberation; national development; and languages and culture. (Center for International Education, University of Massachusetts, 1975, 160pp) Grades 1-8, Teacher resource
West African Folktales & West African Folktales: Instructor's Manual Stephen H. Gale A companion set of an anthology of more than 40 tales from 15 West African countries, with an instructor's manual to enhance classroom use of the anthology. Gale, a Kentucky State University professor of Humanities, has taught and written on African literatures. The anthology was inspired by a year spent in Liberia as a Fulbright scholar, which is reflected in the large number of Liberian tales in this collection. West African Folktales offers teachers a good collection of African tales with cultural background notes. The Instructor's Manual provides: sample reading, writing, and research assignments; discussion and analysis questions; a map and background information on West Africa; West African recipes; and a bibliography of African folktale colle ctions, literary studies, and general studies. (National Textbook Company, 1995, 203pp and 56pp) Grades 7-12 (adaptable for grades K-6), Teacher resource
Why is There Hunger in Africa? Nature Pleads Not Guilty SPICE A new curriculum guide from Africa Project of the Stanford Program on International and Cross-Cultural Education (SPICE). Written for secondary contemporary world issues, geography, world history, and environmental studies courses, the unit offers a balanced introduction to the complex set of issues related to worldwide hunger using case studies from Africa and six activities in which students look at factors affecting hunger - local conflict, the ecosystem, national and international economic policies, and population growth. Includes lesson plans, teacher background, reproducible student handouts, in-class activities, and homework suggestions. (Stanford University, 1996, 130pp) Grades 7-12, Teacher resource
Destination: Cameroon Study Guide and Video H. Thomas Collins and Christopher Majeske Because of its great physical and cultural diversity, Cameroon is sometimes referred to as "Africa in Miniature." The 20 minute video introduces students to three different communities - one in the western highlands, one in the rain-forest region, and on e located in Cameroon's grassy lowlands - and demonstrates how the homes, agricultural crops, and lifestyles differ in each area. The Study Guide provides: background on the African continent and Cameroon; discussion questions and inquiry activities based on the video; maps and a list of resources; 11 lesson plans; and a worksheet collection. (U.S. Peace Corps, 1993, 57pp) Grades 6-9 (adaptable for grades 3-6 and 10-12); Teacher resource
Destination: Lesotho Study Guide and Video Elise Sprunt Sheffield "The Mountain Kingdom" of Lesotho, a developing nation surrounded by industrialized South Africa, is both an anomaly among nations and, at the same time, a symbol of the geographical and cultural dynamics at work in almost every land. Here, the contrast between tradition and modernity, between rural and urban ways of being is delineated as starkly as the rugged terrrain. The 22-minute video visits a lowland village and a highland village to meet two Peace Corps volunteers and the communities they serve , and students learn the ways people cope in Lesotho's two very different types of physical environments. The Study Guide is intended to direct student attention to the ways that physical geography has shaped, preserved, and transformed local human culture. Each topic unit has lesson materials which are grouped according to three academic levels: grades 3-5, 6-9, and 10-12. The materials are developed along five fundamental themes of geography: location (position on the Earth's surface); place (physical and human characteristics); relationships within places (humans and their environments); movement (humans interacting on Earth); and regions (how they form and change). (U.S. Peace Corps, 1994, 76pp)
Destination: Senegal Video Guide and Video Margaret Legowski and Shirley Puchalski Senegal has a rich culture that reflects its ethnic diversity, its colonial past, and the reality of its geography. The 15-minute video provides a brief overview of Senegal's geography and history, and viewers visit the capital city of Dakar and learn about life in two villages. The Video Guide has been designed for a 3-5 day mini-unit, with activities written for 3 grade levels: grades 3-5, 6-9, and 10-12. The activities are designed to present basic information on the geography of Senegal and to explore aspects of Senegalese culture. (U.S. Peace Corps, 1991, 83pp) Grades 3-5, 6-9, 10-12, Teacher resource
The Great Adventure
This book contains a collection of short essays written by volunteers who served with the Peace Corps in various parts of the world. It includes several essays by returned volunteers who worked in twelve different African countries. (Peace Corps, 1997, 247pp) Grades 9-12
World Wise Schools Handbook for Volunteers and Teachers Megan Drennan A World Wise Schools 'starter kit' that introduces teachers and Peace Corps Volunteers to the program, explains how to participate, and offers general suggestions to help get the most out of the experience. The handbook provides suggestions for activities or projects that the teacher and Volunteer can develop to suit students' interests, ages, and abilities. Can also serve as a resource for teachers wanting more information about the educational potential of World Wise Schools participation. (U.S. Peace Corps, 1994, 57pp) Teacher resource
Looking at Ourselves and Others (revised edition) Margaret Legowski Designed to support World Wise Schools participation by introducing students to basic concepts of perceptions, stereotyping, and culture. Readings and activities teach students to: recognize differences in perception; identify stereotypes and practice strategies for reducing stereotypes; and define culture and recognize its role in developing perceptions of ourselves and others. The handbook's readings, activity ideas, and worksheets are useful resources for any unit on another culture. (U.S. Peace Corps, 1993, 70pp) Grades 6-9 (adaptable for elementary or high school grades), Teacher resource
Making the Most of World Wise Schools: An Activity Guide for Teachers Amy B. Walker Developed for teachers and students participating in the World Wise Schools program. Activities are designed to encourage students to: look more closely at their own culture; identify the similarities and differences that exist among cultures; and look at the ways in which their own country is tied to other nations in the larger world community. Each section of the guide has activities written for each of 3 grade levels - elementary, middle, and high school. Useful for any unit on another culture. (U.S. Peace Corps, 1993, 80pp) Grades 3-12, Teacher resource
The World Map Project Handbook Barbara Jo White and Elise Sprunt Sheffield The World Map Project brings people together to create large, colorful maps of the world, thus promoting geography literacy while building a sense of community among the mapmakers. The guide provides all the information needed for a class, school, or community group to create their own one-of-a-kind world map. It includes step-by-step instructions on how to plan, draw, and color your map; and lists materials, supplies worksheets, and even a trouble-shooting appendix for s pecial situations. The guide also provides a variety of enrichment activities to promote your group's continuing involvement with the world map that stress cooperative problem-solving. (U.S. Peace Corps, 1995, 74pp) Grades 8-12, Teacher resource

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Additional Resource Catalogs

Publisher Title Description
The CHART Network Resources for Teaching the Arts and Humanities The Collaborative for Humanities and Arts Teaching (CHART) Network offers low to moderately priced curriculum materials for K-12 teachers. Some of the materials related to Africa include "Building Community West African Style," "Roads Culture Kit: African History and Culture," "Exploring Global Art," and "Cities: Windows on the World."
Heinemann World Literature, 1996 Heinemann has been publishing books by African authors since 1962. This catalog describes many of the newer books available in the "African Writers Series" as well as a resource for teachers entitled A Handbook for Teaching African Literature.
Indiana University African Studies Program African Studies Program, 1998-99 Video Guide This guide describes more than thirty VHS videos that may be borrowed from the African Studies Program. The video collection contains films appropriate for a variety of levels from kindergarten through adult. It includes feature films, documentaries, and French language films.
Jacaranda Designs Limited Shangilia Afrika 1996 This children's book publisher is based in Kenya, with several U.S. distributors. Among Jacaranda's publications is the "Mcheshi" Series for children ages 4-8. The series of four books, which are written in both English and Swahili, follow a young Kenyan girl as she goes to school, the market, on a journey, and to a game park. Jacaranda Designs recently introduced a musical "Afri-Kit" that contains 15 musical instruments from East Africa.
Multicultural Media 1996 Catalog This company offers numerous videos, compact disks, and books about music and dance from the African continent as well as the rest of the world. It issues new releases seasonally.
Nick of Time 1996-97 Catalog This company specializes in books about history and culture for young readers. It offers several titles pertaining to Africa including The Games of Africa and Native Artists of Africa.
Poster Education Posters with Lesson Plans Several posters which focus on the African continent are available through this company. The collection includes posters entitled Nairobi, Mount Kilimanjaro, Zaire Village, and The Sahara Desert. Each poster is accompanied by a lesson plan designed for use with students in grades 6-9.
Stanford Program on International and Cross-Cultural Education (SPICE) SPICE 1996 Catalog of Curriculum Materials SPICE has published six Africa-related curriculum units for teachers of grades 7-12. Three of the units are written for French teachers and focus on Francophone Africa. The other units, which would be of interest to social studies and English teachers, are Mapping Africa, What is a Resource?, and Two Faces From Nigeria.
World Eagle World Eagle Catalog 1996: Materials for the Social Studies World Eagle publishes the "Today" Series of reproducible atlases including Africa Today. Various wall maps of Africa are also available through the catalog.

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Resources for Elementary Grades

Tltle Author Description Reader
10 African Folktales Vol. II J. T. Barika This is a collection of 10 folktales from Momo Division in the Republic of Cameroon. At the end of the book there are questions on each story. (Mu. Geom Bari & Co, 1982, 52pp) Grades K-12
1,001 African Names Julia Stewart : This is a selection of first and last names from all over Africa. Each name entry has a phonetic transcription to help the reader with the pronunciation, and the meaning. In addition to the selection of names, the book provides some background materials regarding naming customs, beliefs and traditions in some ethnic communities from Africa. (Citadel Press, 1996, 214pp) Grades K-12, Teacher resource
The Adinkra Dictionary W. Bruce Willis This book is a guide to understanding the language and symbols of the colorful hand-painted and hand-embroidered cloth used for mourning among the Akan people of Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire. The cloth, known as adinkra, contains verbal and visual images. The symbols and images are presented in this dictionary. (Pyramid Complex, 1998) Grades 5-12, Teacher resource
Africa Today: A Reproducible Atlas, 1996 Revised Edition
A large collection of maps, charts, and statistical tables on Africa. Topics include population, languages, natural resources, cities, agriculture, environmental conditions, schools, and jobs. The atlas also includes a map of every country. (World Eagle, 1996, 252pp) Grades K-12, Teacher resource
African Children's Games for American Children Nancy J. Schmidt, et al. This packet describes games children play in several African countries and provides directions on how to play them. It includes guessing games, board games such as African checkers and oware, school-yard games, and games which imitate adults such as "house" and "market place." Many of the games come from Nigeria, South Africa, and Ghana. A few games from Tanzania, Guinea, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Malawi are also mentioned. (African Outreach Program, University of Illinois, 1975, 36pp) Grades K-6
African Folktales and Activities Louise Orlando This collection of thirteen folktales comes from different ethnic communities in Africa. For each folktale, there is information regarding the ethnic community from which it was collected, the geography and culture of the people. In addition, there are activities suggested for each folktale which help to integrate the lessons of the stories with other learning skills in science, social studies, math, geography, language arts, and art. (Scholastic Professional Books, 1995, 80pp) Grades K-12, Teacher resource
African Proverbs and Wisdom Julia Stewart This book contains a collection of proverbs, riddles, songs, poetry, folk wisdom and famous sayings from fifty-three African nations. The sayings are entered on the days of the calendar commemorating African national holidays. The book takes the reader through a journey of discovery of ancient as well as contemporary wisdom among Africans. (Citadel Press, 1997, 192pp) Grades 7-12, Teacher Resource
Ancient and Living Cultures - West Africa: Ghana Mira Bartok and Christine Ronan This short book is about Ghanaian cultures and traditions. It includes folktales, traditional arts and crafts, and decorations. In addition, it includes instructions for different projects such as textile printing and a board game. (Good Year Books, 1994, 24pp) Grades 3-6
Ancient and Living Cultures - West Africa: Nigeria Mira Bartok and Christine Ronan This is a simple short book about Nigerian cultures. It explores Yoruba rituals, art, and music through fun activities. (Good Year Books, 1993, 24pp) Grades 3-6
Beneath the Rainbow: A Collection of Children's Stories and Poems from Kenya, Volume 1 Kariuki Gakuo, Valerie Cuthbert, and Sam Mbure This collection, beautifully illustrated by African artists, contains stories and poems by East African writers that combine the themes, images, and characters of African myths and legends. (Jacaranda Designs Limited, 1992, 48pp) Grades 2-6
Bingo! The African Connection Barbara Brown Through this paper and pencil game, students learn about ways in which they are connected to Africa. Each student receives a game board that has 25 squares. Each square asks a question such as "Have you used the word 'guy'?" or "Have you smelled a clove?" Students circulate around the room in search of a classmate who can answer 'yes' to the question in each box. The object of the game is for every student to fill each square with the initials of one of their classmates. Then the entire class reads through the explanations behind the questions such as "Guy, phoney, and many other words have their origins in Wolof, a language widely spoken in Senegal." (African Studies Program, Boston University, 1992, 3pp) Grades 3-7
The Currency of Africa Newark Museum This book of postcards of paper money designs from 19 African currencies. It is based on money purchased in 1990 and before. The collection includes money from Algeria, Belgian Congo, Cameroon, Chad, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, French West Africa, Togo, Gabon, Ghana, Madagascar, Mali, Somalia and Uganda. (Pomegranate Artbooks, 1995) Grades K-12, Teacher resource
Daily Life in Africa: Celebrations of African Life Diana Leoni and Rachel Fretz Yoder The key teaching concepts in this book are the extended family within a community, the stages of life, and the celebrations marking the stages of life. The classroom activities focus on types of celebrations, music, masks and masquerades, food, and a coming out ceremony. Student readings include an African folktale and stories entitled "Young Saki's Naming Ceremony" (Ghana), "An Ugandan Wedding Ceremony," and "Uncle Kofi's Funeral" (also from Ghana). (UCLA, 1982, 50pp) Grades 1-6
Daily Life in Africa: Market Scenes in Africa Diana Leoni and Rachel Fretz Yoder This book looks at markets in Africa, specifically in Nigeria. Classroom activities includes exploring the component of a market, how to create a market scene, and how to buy and sell. Student readings include "A Trip to the Market" (from Senegal) and "Egbe Market" (from Nigeria). (UCLA, 1982, 48pp) Grades 1-6
Daily Life in Africa: Variety of African Dress Diana Leoni and Rachel Fretz Yoder This book looks at clothing in the countries of Nigeria, Senegal, and Uganda. Classroom activities include examining hair styles, Yoruba clothes, cloth-dyeing, and Yoruba patterns. Instructions for cloth-dyeing projects including tie dye, brush batik, and stencil resist are also included. The book has two student readings entitled "My Sister's Best Dress" (from Senegal) and "Dressing for a Wedding in Kampala" (from Uganda). (UCLA, 1982, 44pp) Grades 1-6
Destination: Cameroon (Study Guide and Video) H. Thomas Collins and Christopher Majeske Because of its great physical and cultural diversity, Cameroon is sometimes referred to as "Africa in Miniature." The 20-minute video introduces students to three different communities - one in the western highlands, one in the rain-forest region, and one located in Cameroon's grassy lowlands - and demonstrates how the homes, agricultural crops, and lifestyles differ in each area. The Study Guide provides: background on the African continent and Cameroon; discussion questions and inquiry activities based on the video; maps and a list of resources; 11 lesson plans; and a worksheet collection. (U.S. Peace Corps, 1993, 57pp) Grades 6-9 (adaptable for grades 3-6 and 10-12), Teacher resource
Destination: Lesotho (Study Guide and Video) Elise Sprunt Sheffield "The Mountain Kingdom" of Lesotho, a developing nation surrounded by industrialized South Africa, is both an anomaly among nations and, at the same time, a symbol of the geographical and cultural dynamics at work in almost every land. Here, the contrast between tradition and modernity, between rural and urban ways of being is delineated as starkly as the rugged terrrain. The 22-minute video visits a lowland village and a highland village to meet two Peace Corps volunteers and the communities they serve, and students learn the ways people cope in Lesotho's two very different types of physical environments. The Study Guide is intended to direct student attention to the ways that physical geography has shaped, preserved, and transformed local human culture. Each topic unit has lesson materials which are grouped according to three academic levels: grades 3-5, 6-9, and 10-12. The materials are developed along five fundamental themes of geography: location (position on the Earth's surface); place (physical and human characteristics); relationships within places (humans and their environments); movement (humans interacting on Earth); and regions (how they form and change). (U.S. Peace Corps, 1994, 76pp) Grades 3-5, 6-9, 10-12, Teacher resource
Destination: Senegal (Video Guide and Video) Margaret Legowski and Shirley Puchalski Senegal has a rich culture that reflects its ethnic diversity, its colonial past, and the reality of its geography. The 15-minute video provides a brief overview of Senegal's geography and history, and viewers visit the capital city of Dakar and learn about life in two villages. The Video Guide has been designed for a 3-5 day mini-unit, with activities written for 3 grade levels: grades 3-5, 6-9, and 10-12. The activities are designed to present basic information on the geography of Senegal and to explore aspects of Senegalese culture. (U.S. Peace Corps, 1991, 83pp) Grades 3-5, 6-9, 10-12, Teacher resource
The Efe People of the Ituri Rain Forest Alexandra Siy The Efe, considered the world=s shortest people, live in the Northeastern parts of the Congo Democratic Republic. This book describes the culture of these people. With the influx of settlers, farmers and other agents of new economy into the region, the lives of the hunter-gatherers will never be the same. (Dillon Press, 1993, 72pp) Grades 5-12
Galimoto Karen Lynn Williams and Catherine Stock Galimoto (GAL-lee-moe-toe) means "car" in Chichewa, the national language of Malawi. It is also the name for a type of push toy made by children. Old wires - or sticks, cornstalks, and pieces of yam - are shaped into cars, tr ucks, bicycles, trains, and helicopters that are all known as galimoto. Kondi is determined to make a galimoto and spends all day gathering the wire he needs. By nightfall, his wonderful galimoto is ready for the village children to play with in the light of the moon. Beautiful watercolor illustrations that depict life in a contemporary African village. (Mulberry Books, 1990, 30pp) Grades 1-6
The Games of Africa Jennifer Prior This is an introduction to five African games, mancala and yote from Burkina Faso, sey from Mali, achi, and the Guinean String Puzzle. The book is accompanied with a mancala game board, and 48 playing pieces for mancala. This is a variant of one of the oldest African games. (Harper Festival, 1994, 45pp) Grades 3-12, Teacher resource
The Gift of the Tortoise, sung by Ladysmith Black Mambaz (37 min)
A musical journey through Southern Africa with the Zulu people, narrated by a minstrel tortoise. Sung by world-renowned a cappella musical group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, this compact disc features 13 songs that students can learn and sing along. Grades K-8
K-12 Electronic Guide for African Resources on the Internet Ali B. Dinar This introductory guide is meant to assist teachers, librarians, and students in their search for on-line resources on Africa. The guide provides instructions for finding country-specific resources as well as information on African languages, the environment, travel in Africa, and more. (African Studies Program, University of Pennsylvania, 1994, 23pp) Grades K-12, Teacher resource
Lessons From Africa: A Supplement to Middle School Courses in World Cultures, Global Studies, and World History Merry Merryfield A collection of eleven lesson plans that each focus on a different theme such as family, occupations, and adolescence. The materials were written for American students by twenty-five African educators representing the countries of Lesotho, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Sudan, Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and the Gambia. As a result, the lessons help students to become aware of the diversity of cultures and perspectives throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Some lessons can be adapted for elementary or high school level and for other subject areas. (ERIC Clearinghouse for Social Studies/Social Science Education, 1989, 99pp) Grades 6-8 (adaptable for 4-5 and 9-12)
Looking at Ourselves and Others, revised edition Margaret Legowski Designed to support paricipation in Peace Corps' World Wise Schools program by introducing students to basic concepts of perceptions, stereotyping, and culture. Readings and activities teach students to: recognize differences in perception; identify stereotypes and practice strategies for reducing stereotypes; and define culture and recognize its role in developing perceptions of ourselves and others. The handbook's readings, activity ideas, and worksheets are useful resources for any international unit. (U.S. Peace Corps, 1993, 70pp) Grades 6-9 (adaptable for elementary or high school grades), Teacher resource
Lower Primary History for Cameroon R. Fomensky and M.B. Gwafogbe This history textbook by R. Fomensky and M.B. Gwafogbe focuses on the history of Cameroon and Africa. (MacMillan Publishers, 1988, 115pp) Grades 4-6
Making the Most of World Wise Schools: An Activity Guide for Teachers Amy B. Walker Developed for teachers and students participating in Peace Corps' World Wise Schools program. Activities are designed to encourage students to: look more closely at their own culture; identify the similarities and differences that exist among cultures; and look at the ways in which their own country is tied to other nations in the larger world community. Each section of the guide has activities written for each of 3 grade levels - elementary, middle, and high school. Useful for any international unit. (U.S. Peace Corps, 1993, 80pp) Grades 3-12, Teacher resource
Mapping Africa Stephen Cummins and the Africa Project This curriculum unit introduces students to many key geographical features of Africa. Lessons include "Getting Oriented to Globes and Maps," "Countries of Africa," "Human and Environmental Interaction in Africa," "Learning the Physiographic Features of Africa," and "African Climate." (SPICE, 1994, 72pp) Grades 6-10 (can be adapted for upper elementary)

Mcheshi Goes to the Market

(The Mcheshi Series)

Nicholas Sironka, Judy Mathenge, James Okello, and Martin Otieno It's market day and Mcheshi goes to the market with her mother. While there, she meets various traders, has a typical Kenyan snack, and gets into a little mischief. The book includes a word game that introduces children to some Kiswahili words. (Jacaranda Designs Limited, 1991, 24pp) Grades K-3

Mcheshi Goes to School

 

(The Mcheshi Series)

Judy Mathenge and Robin Miranda Join Mcheshi and her friend Baraka for a day in their rural Kenyan school. Get to know their teacher and classmates, and learn about the handicrafts they make, the musical instruments they play, the food they eat, the vegetables they grow, and the games they enjoy. Follow Mcheshi through her day to explore the familiar and that which is uniquely African. Kenyan songs and games are included. (Jacaranda Designs Limited, 1995, 24pp) Grades K-3
Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale John Steptoe Mufaro's two beautiful daughters, one bad-tempered, one kind and sweet, go before the king, who is choosing a wife. A beautifully illustrated, Caldecott Honor Book that was inspired by a story collected in 1895 and published in the book, Kaffir Folktales. The tale was collected from people living near the ruins of Great Zimbabwe, East Africa' magnificent ancient trade city. The book's illustrations are based on the architecture of Great Zimbabwe, and the flora and fauna of the Zimbabwe region. (Lothrop, Lee, & Shepard Books, 1987, 29pp) Grades 3-6
A Nigerian Notebook: Units and Resources for Teachers and Parents, Early Childhood, and Elementary Nigerian Curriculum Development Project This resource book provides background reading about Nigeria for teachers in addition to unit plans entitled "Awareness Unit on Nigeria," "Let's Eat Our Way Through Africa," and "Let's Make Music and Verse." It also includes a section entitled "Resources for Teachers and Parents of Children 5-8 years." (Center for Professional Development, University of Kentucky, 1980, 75pp) Grades K-5, Teacher resource
Primary Civics for Cameroon Tazifor Tajoche John This is a Cameroon civics textbook by Tazifor Tajoche John. Its contents are organized into 10 parts. They deal with the social context of the young readers in Cameroon, Cameroon's geography, history, government and administration, and economics. This volume includes a part that deals with international organizations such as the United Nations (UNO) and the Organization of African Unity (OAU). (Africana-Fep Publishers Ltd, 1988, 162pp) Grades 5-8
Riddles and Folktales for Schools Comfort Eneke Ashu The book contains a collection of 107 riddles with their answers, and 10 folktales. At the end of each story, there are discussion questions suggested by the author. (Nooremac Press, 1984, 73pp) Grades K-12
Shadows in the Firelight: A Selection of Cameroon Folk Tales Patrick Mbunwe-Samba This is a collection of 32 delightful folktales from Cameroon. These have been gathered mainly from various parts of the 'English speaking' areas of Cameroon. (1988, 84pp) Grades K-12
Understanding Our Cultural Diversity: A Theme Guide to K-12 Curricular Resources, Activities, and Processes Bay Area Global Education Program This curriculum guide includes three activities related to Africa. Students in grades K-3 learn about Zambian games and students in grades K-6 explore creation myths in a folktale entitled "How Africa Got Its Shape." In "Threads for the Web of Interdependence" students in grades 4-8 examine the systems of measurement in the United States and East Africa and consider the importance of the metric system. (Stanford University, 1983, 47pp) Grades K-8
West Africa: An American Heritage George E. Urch Concentrating on the West African country of Ghana, this book is divided into three sections sub-divided into several topics. "The Expressive Arts" contains various student activities: Arts and Crafts; Music and Dance; Folktales; and Poetry. The "Lesson Plan and Unit Outline Section" has interesting student readings - "An Individual African in a Changing Society," "Colonialism and Nation Building," and the section "Units on Africa - Bringing Africa into the Elementary Classroom." The "Resource Section" has case studies, interviews, and newspaper clippings on individual Africans; changing institutions; colonialism and liberation; national development; and languages and culture. (Center for International Education, University of Massachusetts, 1975, 160pp) Grades 1-8, Teacher resource
West African Folktales and West African Folktales: Instructor's Manual Stephen H. Gale A companion set of an anthology of more than 40 tales from 15 West African countries, with an instructor's manual to enhance classroom use of the anthology. Gale, a Kentucky State University professor of Humanities, has taught and written on African literatures. The anthology was inspired by a year spent in Liberia as a Fulbright scholar, which is reflected in the large number of Liberian tales in this collection. West African Folktales offers teachers a good collection of African tales with cultural background notes. The Instructor's Manual provides: sample reading, writing, and research assignments; discussion and analysis questions; a map and background information on West Africa; West African recipes; and a bibliography of African folktale collections, literary studies, and general studies. (National Textbook Company, 1995, 203pp & 56pp) Grades 7-12 (adaptable for K-6), Teacher resource
World Cultures: A Theme Guide to K-12 Curricular Resources, Activities, and Processes Bay Area Global Education Program This collection of curriculum information includes three activities related to Africa. "Education in Africa" for grades 9-12 examines the role of traditional, Islamic, and Western education in Africa. "Development for What?" for grades 7-8 considers development questions for the country of Malawi. "A Simple Chocolate Bar" for grades 4-6 shows how a candy bar can be used to illustrate global interdependence. (Stanford University, 1984, 80pp) Grades 4-12
The World History Herald: "European Powers Carve Up Africa"
Dated February 28, 1885, this issue in The World History Herald historical newspaper series focuses on the first steps toward the colonization of Africa by European powers. News articles, feature stories, maps, and an editorial page focus on the division of Africa. Other articles, advertisements, and a cross word puzzle give students a sense of what was happening in the rest of the world during this time period. (Steck-Vaughn Company, 1994, 8pp) Grades 5-12
The World History Herald: "South Africa Frees Mandela!"
Dated February 12, 1990, this issue in The World History Herald historical newspaper series focuses on the release of Nelson Mandela and movements toward democracy within South Africa. News articles, feature stories, maps, and an editorial page provide various perspectives on the event and its significance for the future of apartheid. Other articles, advertisements, and a crossword puzzle give students a sense of what was happening in the rest of the world during this time - particularly in respect to democratic movements in the USSR, China, and Nicaragua. Includes teacher's guide. (Steck-Vaughn Company, 1994, 8pp) Grades 5-12
World Literature: A Theme Guide to K-12 Curricular Resources, Activities, and Processes Bay Area Global Education Program This curriculum guide contains two activities related to Africa. In one activity, students in grades 4-6 consider "Animal Proverbs" from various African countries. In "Proverb Pairs" they compare the meanings of proverbs from several African countries as well as other parts of the world. (Stanford University, 1983, 65pp) Grades 4-6
Zamani: African Tales from Long Ago Africa, Volume 1 Tom Nevin Zamani is the Kiswahili word for 'long ago'. Drawn from the rich traditions of Ghana, Zambia, Tanzania, Sudan, Kenya, South Africa, Swaziland, and Uganda, these ten selected tales tell of the animals and trees, chiefs and kings, young men and maidens, ogres and spirits of this mighty continent. Written by a South African author and illustrated by ten talented African artists, this book combines the legends of Zamani with the art and design of Africa today. (Jacaranda Designs, 1995, 80pp) Grades 2-8

The Mcheshi Series

The award-winning Mcheshi series by Kenyan children's book publisher, Jacaranda Designs, presents a special view of life in Kenya through the daily experiences of one little girl. Mcheshi (pronounced M-che-shee) is a Kiswahili word mea ning playful and fun-loving, just right for this lively Kenyan girl. A beautifully illustrated series, presented in both Kiswahili and English, the official languages of East Africa. A Teacher's Guide for the series provides lesson plans and activities for each book.

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Resources for Middle School and High School Grades

Tltle Author Description Reader
10 African Folktales Vol. II J. T. Barika This is a collection of 10 folktales from Momo Division in the Republic of Cameroon. At the end of the book there are questions on each story. (Mu. Geom Bari & Co, 1982, 52pp) Grades K-12
1,001 African Names Julia Stewart : This is a selection of first and last names from all over Africa. Each name entry has a phonetic transcription to help the reader with the pronunciation, and the meaning. In addition to the selection of names, the book provides some background materials regarding naming customs, beliefs and traditions in some ethnic communities from Africa. (Citadel Press, 1996, 214pp) Grades K-12, Teacher resource
The Adinkra Dictionary W. Bruce Willis This book is a guide to understanding the language and symbols of the colorful hand-painted and hand-embroidered cloth used for mourning among the Akan people of Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire. The cloth, known as adinkra, contains verbal and visual images. The symbols and images are presented in this dictionary. (Pyramid Complex, 1998) Grades 5-12, Teacher resource
Africa Today: A Reproducible Atlas, 1996 Revised Edition
A large collection of maps, charts, and statistical tables on Africa. Topics include population, languages, natural resources, cities, agriculture, environmental conditions, schools, and jobs. The atlas also includes a map of every country. (World Eagle, 1996, 252pp) Grades K-12, Teacher resource
African Folktales and Activities Louise Orlando This collection of thirteen folktales comes from different ethnic communities in Africa. For each folktale, there is information regarding the ethnic community from which it was collected, the geography and culture of the people. In addition, there are activities suggested for each folktale which help to integrate the lessons of the stories with other learning skills in science, social studies, math, geography, language arts, and art. (Scholastic Professional Books, 1995, 80pp) Grades K-12, Teacher resource
African Poetry for Schools Book I Noel Machin This is an anthology of poems from all over Africa and a few from the diaspora. The selection of traditional and modern poems is graded according to difficulty. In addition, there are notes for teachers and students at the end of each poem. (Longman Group, 1978, 87pp) Grades 6-12
African Poetry for Schools Book 2 Noel Machin This anthology of African poems from all over Africa contains both traditional and modern poems. After each poem, there are questions to stimulate discussions. (Longman, 1978, 101pp) Grades 9-12
African Proverbs and Wisdom Julia Stewart This book contains a collection of proverbs, riddles, songs, poetry, folk wisdom and famous sayings from fifty-three African nations. The sayings are entered on the days of the calendar commemorating African national holidays. The book takes the reader through a journey of discovery of ancient as well as contemporary wisdom among Africans. (Citadel Press, 1997, 192pp) Grades 7-12, Teacher Resource
Ancient and Living Cultures - West Africa: Ghana Mira Bartok and Christine Ronan This short book is about Ghanaian cultures and traditions. It includes folktales, traditional arts and crafts, and decorations. In addition, it includes instructions for different projects such as textile printing and a board game. (Good Year Books, 1994, 24pp) Grades 3-6
Ancient and Living Cultures - West Africa: Nigeria Mira Bartok and Christine Ronan This is a simple short book about Nigerian cultures. It explores Yoruba rituals, art, and music through fun activities. (Good Year Books, 1993, 24pp) Grades 3-6
Auntie Kate's Cookery Book K. E. Idowu The book contains a collection of recipes of Cameroon foods. Information on the nutritional value of various ingredients is provided together with their scientific names. At the end of the book, there is a table that lists foods and indication of their availability in different seasons. (MacMillan, 1982, 188pp)  
Building Community: West African Style (with slide set)
Introducing the lands and cultures of West Africa, this interdisciplinary resource spotlights Nigeria, Ghana, Mali, Senegal, and the Ivory Coast. A collection of articles and activities (plays, crafts, reading and writing, games, quizzes) explore a wide range of topics: geography, history, government, economics, ecology, languages, ethnic groups, family life, courtesies and values, art, and literature. Includes reproducible handouts and a set of 20 color slides, and suggested readings. (Center for Teaching International Relations, 1994, 171pp) Grades 6-9
Cameroon Cooking (La Cuisine Camerounaise) Elizabeth Essoka This is a cookbook containing an abundance of recipes from Cameroon. The recipes are provided in both English and French. Some of the dishes are illustrated with photographs. (SIL-Publications, 1994, 100pp) Grades 7-12
Cameroon History for Secondary Schools and Colleges Vol. 1 V. G. Fanso This is a history textbook for Cameroonian schools. It covers the period from prehistoric times to the nineteenth century. (MacMillan Publishers, 1989, 116pp) Grades 9-12
Cameroon History for Secondary Schools and Colleges Vol. 2 V. G. Fanso A history textbooks for Cameroon schools. It covers colonial and postcolonial Africa. (MacMillan Publishers, 1989, 197pp) Grades 9-12
Classical Africa Molefi Kete Asante : This history book explores ancient African civilizations from an Afrocentric perspective. Included are chapters on Ancient Egypt, Nubia, Axum, Ghana, Mali, and Songhay. After each section, there are questions intended to encourage critical thinking. (The People's Publishing Group, 1994, 150pp) Grades 9-12, Teacher resource
The Currency of Africa Newark Museum This book of postcards of paper money designs from 19 African currencies. It is based on money purchased in 1990 and before. The collection includes money from Algeria, Belgian Congo, Cameroon, Chad, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, French West Africa, Togo, Gabon, Ghana, Madagascar, Mali, Somalia and Uganda. (Pomegranate Artbooks, 1995) Grades K-12, Teacher resource
Destination: Cameroon (Study Guide and Video) H. Thomas Collins and Christopher Majeske Because of its great physical and cultural diversity, Cameroon is sometimes referred to as "Africa in Miniature." The 20-minute video introduces students to three different communities - one in the western highlands, one in the rain-forest region, and one located in Cameroon's grassy lowlands - and demonstrates how the homes, agricultural crops, and lifestyles differ in each area. The Study Guide provides: background on the African continent and Cameroon; discussion questions and inquiry activities based on the video; maps and a list of resources; 11 lesson plans; and a worksheet collection. (U.S. Peace Corps, 1993, 57pp) Grades 6-9 (adaptable for grades 3-6 and 10-12), Teacher resource
Destination: Lesotho (Study Guide and Video) Elise Sprunt Sheffield