- Are there any animals in Africa? Who has seen them?
A lesson & poster that brings real people’s voices to weigh in on these questions. The goal of the lesson is to push back agains the frequent images of exotic animals are used to represent Africa in the media, literature, and in our schools. This is a dangerous mischaracterization and is very unrepresentative of the continent. In fact, most Africans see wildlife in zoos! We have produced an elementary-appropriate poster and accompanying lesson plans to help teachers combat this stereotype (Kindergarten-6th grade).
Visuals are key for student learning—more important for learning about Africa than perhaps for any other region of the world. This resources includes two lessons plans for recognizing bias through photos and for highlighting similarities across cultures.
Teaching about Africa through Artifacts
Our Artifact Map contains a catalogue of over 60 artifacts that we currently hold (in our online library as well), from several regions of Africa including West Africa, Eastern/Central Africa, and Southern Africa. Teachers can use this resource to click on any artifact on the map (images included) and find a list of resources for the classroom about the artifact’s origins, background, and history.
Geography
- A People First Google Earth Lesson Introducing the Geography of Africa in Key Concepts and Questions
The goal of this resource is to activate students’ knowledge by providing an experiential understanding of select concepts in the physical geography of Africa. The presentation uses an inquiry-based approach to probe key understandings of the ways geography shapes human activity. The Google Earth presentation was designed to address the types of questions that can be asked about concepts in the physical geography of Africa with the goal of building curiosity.
English Language Arts
- “Exploring ‘What’s work?’ through a Transcultural Reading of My Grandfather is a Magician: Work and Wisdom in a Nigerian Village” Social Studies and the Young Learning Article (2015)
This article frames how to teach and discuss the award-winning author Ifeoma Onyefulu’s My Grandfather is a Magician within the economic, civic, geographic, and historical concepts of work. Designed for lower elementary school students, both the book itself and this approach are highly recommended ways of incorporating Africa into your classroom in an universally relatable way.
Math and Science
- Centering Africa in the STEAM disciplinespresents a whole series of science videos produced by N*Gen Africa, bibliographies, and number games to bring Africa into the Math & Science classrooms
Physical Education
- Physical Education Games
Physical Education teacher Matthew Bassett offers resources to educators interested in teaching students to appreciate physical games and activities reflecting diverse heritages, including games from Botswana, Ethiopia, Guinea, and Nigeria.
Art
- Dancing with the ancestors: A study of Egungun Masquerades and Nick Cave’s Soundsuits, Pre-K-K. by Paula Mans, a unit that brings students to understand Egungun masquerade traditions and the ways Diasporic artists have taken them up as inspiration. It leads students to engage with their own ways of meaning-making through masks, without reproduction or appropriation. A groundbreaking lesson that changes the course of the many lessons on African masks that came before it, which were developed without cultural responsiveness.
Online Resources for Teachers
- Elementary
- Lesson Plans & Activities
- Children and Youth Literature
Latest News
The African Studies Center invites applications for Course Enhancement Grants
September 10, 2024
Exploring African Ajami: Preserving a Rich Intellectual Tradition through Digital Innovation
African Language Program News: A New Addition to the 200-Word Project
BU Calendar
- Monday, September 16 12:30 pm WALTER RODNEY SEMINAR: Reconsidering Rebound Malaria: Zanzibari Voices on Acquired Immunity, Risk, and History (Melissa Graboyes)
- Wednesday, September 18 6:00 pm Cinem'Afriq discussion with film director Alastair Cole about languages in Zambia
- Monday, October 7 12:30 pm WALTER RODNEY SEMINAR: Family Planning, Children's Human Capital, and Women's Work: Experimental Evidence from Urban Malawi (Mahesh Karra)View more events
