Ancient Mali

Ancient Mali3rd Grade Unit

Prepared by Christine, Topher, Jamie, and Christina

Empire of Mali, 1230-1450 CELocated South of Sahara desert in Sahel grasslandsCenter of trade and political power in Western Africa: Timbuktu, Djenne, GaoWealth and power built upon gold and salt trade and Niger River transportation and irrigation Renowned for Islamic educational and religious institutionsSundiata and Mansa Musa were most prominent historical figures

Biography/Civic EngagementRead- Aloud integrating language artsThis same story could be told from a teacher acting as a griot.

Student created timelines integrating technologyhttp://voicethread.com/?#u1045182

Art Criticism - BogolansRead My Baby - pointing out patterns- drums, white snake, leopards spots, and crocodiles armshttp://www.mnh.si.edu/africanvoices/mudcloth/index_flsh.html

Nelsons Pedogogical Qs

Objective: Ask the following questions for each bologan example. What shapes do you see in this bologan? How many different patterns do you see? What colors are used?

Reflective: Ask the following questions for each bologan example. Do the patterns remind you of or make you think of anything? Do you have a tradition similar to bologan making in your family?

Interpretive: Ask the following questions for each bologan example. What do you think the different patterns mean? For what event do you think this bologan was worn? Why do you think the artist chose to use these shapes and patterns?

Decisional: Ask the following questions for each bologan example. What is the purpose of this art form? Can the art form tell a story?

6Create your own bogolan

Template for Bogolan: Used to plan rough draft of bogolan in pencil. Unpublished Document: Peace Corps Bloghttp://www.peacecorpsjournals.com/?CountriesRich resource for first-hand accounts103 different countriesVaried themes and discussionsEntries must be read in detail before assigning to studentsBlog entry selections can be copied into Word and made available on computers or as hard copyCultural anthropology

Mario Romero, Soundougouba Mali October 23 blog Broad range of topicsShort captionsAppropriate content Multiple photographs of village lifehttp://mariofromero.blogspot.com/2010/10/pictures-from-homestay-soundougouba.htmlhttp://mariofromero.blogspot.com/2010/10/more-homestay-pictures.html

Primary ActivitiesIndependent

Describe a blog photograph and draw a picture of a similar scene from own lifeExplain similarities and differences

Small Group Activities

Create poster of A Day In the Life of Two ChildrenUse blog photographs to create a brief story of a Malian childs typical morningDraw pictures and write story of typical morning in own community

More Primary ActivitiesWhole GroupCategorize blog photographs Share observations about similarities and differences Brainstorm: What else would you like to know about Malian village life?

Intermediate ActivitiesIndependent

Write observation about blog photograph What else would you like to learn about life in Mali? Find one unknown term used in blog, research it, and write definition.

Small Group Activities

Create compare and contrast chart between own daily lives and lives of Mali families. Use blog photos for Mali observations. For U.S. section, write short paragraph and use personal photographs, magazine pictures, or drawingsResearch and write definitions for two unknown vocabulary terms.

More Intermediate ActivitiesWhole Group

Brainstorm similarities and differences between your daily lives and the lives of the Mali families from the blog to create compare and contrast chart. What additional information is important when comparing Malian and U.S. cultures? Use internet to research these questions and general country information.

Religious ArtifactConversation with my Vice PrincipleMerry ChristmasThe problem with PillarsUse of language is importantDont make a farceTime and place for create writing

Culture of Ancient Mali Lives OnGriots still part of culture- performing traditional instruments and retelling stories at ritualsContinued worship of spirits- wear decorative masks in ritualsPottery and weaving maintained with same techniquesFarming remains similarExploring Ancient Mali gives learners a glimpse of present day West Africa

QUESTIONS