West AfricaCover Page (2 Minutes)

1. Take out your filled out Rubric and Spread of Islam Packet. 2. Get out a blank or lined piece of paper.3. Head it Properly:Your NameMr. SchreiberWorld HistoryPeriod__Date 3. Title it “West Africa.”

Standards Page

3 Minutes1. Get out a lined piece of paper2. Head it properly3. Title it “Standards” 4. Add the following standard:7.4.1 Study the Niger River and the relationship of vegetation zones of forest, savannah, and desert to trade in gold, salt, food, and slaves; and the growth of the Ghana and Mali empires.

Standards Page7.4.1 Study the Niger River and the relationship of vegetation zones of forest, savannah, and desert to trade in gold, salt, food, and slaves; and the growth of the Ghana and Mali empires.

Relationship: a connection, association, or involvementVegetation: all the plants or plant life of a placeZones: An area or a region made different from areas next to it by a specific feature or characteristicEmpires: A large area ruled under one authority

Essential Questions Page4 Minutes

1. Get out a lined piece of paper2. Head it properly3. Title it “Essential Questions”4. Add the following question:1. Describe the physical features, vegetation, and climate of the different areas of West Africa.2. How did the geography of West Africa influence settlement and trade?

Geography Challenge #3 (15 Minutes)

1. Open your TCI (RED Books) to page 134-135.2. Use the information to complete the questions (in full sentences) on the Geography Challenge 3 handout and label the map on the back.3. I don’t care what colors you use for Question #4.*HINT* The fastest way to finish is to answer a question and then label it on the map.

Question #1West Africa Question 1Which ocean borders Africa on the west?Which ocean borders Africa on the east?Which sea borders Africa on the north?

Label these bodies of water.

A: The Atlantic Ocean borders Africa on the west, the Indian Ocean borders Africa on the east, and the Mediterranean Sea borders Africa on the north.

Question #2West Africa Question 2Into what four regions is Africa divided?

Draw in the boundaries of these regions, and label each region.

A: Africa is divided into West Africa, North Africa, South and Central Africa, and East Africa.

Question #3West Africa Question 3Lightly shade each of Africa’s vegetation zones in a different color. Then fill in the key to show the meaning of each color.

Which of these zones do you think people were least likely to settle? Why?

A: People were least likely to settle in desert zones because it would be hard to grow food and to find water there.

Question #4West Africa Question 4Outline Ghana’s boundary in red, Mali’s boundary in blue, and Songhai’s boundary in brown. Add these colors to the key.

In what region of Africa were these kingdoms located? What vegetation zones are in this part of Africa?

A: These kingdoms were located in West Africa. The vegetation zones in this region include desert, semidesert.

Question #5

West Africa Question 5Label the Niger and Senegal Rivers. Why do you think these rivers were important to the societies that developed in West Africa?

A: The rivers helped make the land fertile and provided fish. Also, traders traveled along the rivers.

Question #6West Africa Question 6Label the Sahara Desert.

Why do you think the territory below the Sahara Desert might have had limited contact with lands to the north of the desert before the late 700s C.E.?

A: Travel across the Sahara Desert was very difficult. (Note: Travel across the Sahara was made easier after this time because of the introduction of the camel.)

Question #7West Africa Question 7What religion spread from North Africato West Africa?

Draw and label an arrow to show thespread of this religion.

A: Islam spread from North Africa to West Africa.

Question #8West Africa Question 8What city was an important center oftrade and learning for the kingdoms ofMali and Songhai?

Label that city.

A: Timbuktu was an important center of trade and learning for the kingdoms of Mali and Songhai.

Homework

You may work on (in this order):

1. Chapter 5, Section 1 Study Guide Questions and Key Terms and People.

2. Cover Page.

3. Answer Essential Question.