High School African History Activities

Step into a world where gold gleams like currency, caravans crawl across sun-scorched sands, and shrewd merchants build empires on their wits. This engaging reading comprehension and critical thinking worksheet transports your students to the bustling heart of ancient Ghana, unveiling the secrets of its economic engine. From navigating the intricate web of trans-Saharan trade routes to exploring the lives of farmers, traders, and even slaves, this resource is the perfect blend of historical intrigue and interactive learning.

Unravel the Tapestry of Trade:

• Golden Highways: Trace the "Salt Road" and "Caravan Route" across scorching deserts, understanding how Ghana's strategic location fueled its economic dominance.
• Currency of Kings: Discover how gold dust became sophisticated currency, enriching both the kingdom and its cunning "dyula" merchants who mastered the art of negotiation.
• Lives Intertwined: Explore the stark contrasts between the lives of farmers toiling under the sun, ambitious traders traversing distant markets, and slaves whose labor built grand palaces.
• Beyond Riches: Analyze the legacy of Ghana's trade, acknowledging its role in spreading cultural exchange and technological advancements while recognizing the ethical challenges of slave labor.

Engage Your Students with:

• Interactive Comprehension Questions: Stimulate critical thinking through multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, and short answer formats.
• Primary Source Analysis: Decipher historical accounts like Al-Idrisi's description of Ghana's exports, drawing insightful conclusions about resources and trade networks.

Perfect for:

• Social studies and history lessons on Ancient Africa.
• Developing reading comprehension, critical thinking, and analytical skills.
• Integrating primary sources and historical accounts into learning.
• Fostering creativity, historical empathy, and ethical discussions.

Ready to immerse your students in the vibrant world of ancient Ghana's economy? Download this captivating worksheet and watch them transform into history detectives, economic analysts, and engaged storytellers!

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze the major factors that contributed to the economic success of ancient Ghana.
• Evaluate the roles and experiences of different social classes within the Ghanian economy.
• Develop critical thinking skills through source analysis, inference, and problem-solving.
• Foster awareness of historical contexts and ethical considerations surrounding economic systems.
• Appreciate the lasting impact of trade and cultural exchange on ancient civilizations.

Common Core Standards Alignment:

• RH.6-8.2: Determine the central ideas or information of a historical text.
• RH.6-8.3: Analyze how a primary source reveals the historical context of a particular event.
• RH.6-8.7: Integrate information from various sources to answer questions about a particular historical period.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.7: Analyze various features of text, including figurative language, word choice, and tone.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.2: Write informative texts, explaining how a particular historical event unfolded.

Step away from the gold mines and dive into the vibrant heart of ancient Ghana! This engaging reading comprehension and hands-on activity worksheet transports your students to a sun-drenched world where children's laughter echoes, artisans weave magic with their hands, and festivals burst with colorful celebrations.

Explore Beyond the Surface:

• Games of Wit & Agility: Witness children strategize in the bean-clicking game of Mancala, leap and dodge in the playful tag game "Ampe," and discover how these simple pastimes were more than just entertainment.
• Masters of Craft: Get inspired by skilled Ghanaian goldsmiths, weavers, and potters who transformed raw materials into stunning jewelry, tapestries, and pottery, each piece a treasure trove of cultural heritage.
• Craft Your Own Legacy: Unleash your inner artist with a fun clay pendant activity inspired by Ghanaian pottery methods. Learn to shape the clay, decorate with vibrant paints, and wear your creation with pride!
• Celebrations of Life: Feel the pulse of Ghana's joyful festivals, where the Yam Festival erupts in a symphony of drumming, dancing, and storytelling, connecting the present to the past and honoring ancestral spirits.

Engage Your Students with:

• Captivating text and primary source analysis for deeper understanding of Ghanaian culture.
• Interactive comprehension questions in multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, and short answer formats.
• A hands-on clay pendant activity to spark creativity and connect with Ghanaian traditions.
• Vivid vocabulary and imagery to bring ancient Ghana to life.

Perfect for:

• Social studies and history lessons on Ancient Africa.
• Developing reading comprehension and critical thinking skills.
• Fostering creativity and hands-on learning experiences.
• Integrating cultural awareness and historical appreciation.

Ready to transport your classroom to a vibrant, playful, and historically rich Ghana? Download this exciting worksheet and watch your students become explorers, artists, and celebrants of ancient African culture!

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze the diverse aspects of life in ancient Ghana beyond its famous gold trade.
• Understand the significance of traditional games, crafts, and festivals in Ghanaian culture.
• Develop critical thinking skills through source analysis, inference, and problem-solving.
• Foster creativity and hands-on learning through artistic activities.

Common Core Standards Alignment:

• RH.6-8.2: Determine the central ideas or information of a historical text.
• RH.6-8.3: Analyze how a primary source reveals the historical context of a particular event.
• RH.6-8.7: Integrate information from various sources to answer questions about a particular historical period.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.7: Analyze various features of text, including figurative language, word choice, and tone.
• VA.K-12.2: Create a work of art based on observation

Embark on a captivating journey through time and uncover the forgotten secrets of ancient Ghana! This comprehensive reading comprehension and activity-packed worksheet whisks your students away to a land of gleaming gold, whispering ruins, and untold stories. From exquisite jewelry adorning Ashanti royalty to the ironclad warriors who guarded trade routes, Ghana's legacy lives on in whispers carried by the wind.

Unravel the Tapestry of History:

• Golden Whispers: Discover the secrets etched in artifacts like the Golden Beads of Asantemanso and terracotta figurines, understanding the lives and rituals of a vanished civilization.
• Guardians of Gold: Meet the fierce warriors who defended Ghana's prosperity, from spearmen of the Ghana Empire to Ashanti fighters, and analyze their impact on shaping the kingdom's history.
• Djenné-Djenno: City of Whispers: Explore the lost metropolis predating Timbuktu, unveiling its advanced irrigation systems, thriving iron industry, and evidence of long-distance trade that stretched across the savanna.
• Beyond Battlefield Glory: Challenge stereotypes and uncover Ghana's intellectual strength through the ruins of universities like Sankore and references to books on medicine, astronomy, and mathematics.

Engage Your Students with:

• Interactive Comprehension Questions: Dive deeper with multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, and short answer formats, sparking critical thinking and discussion.
• Primary Source Analysis: Decipher historical accounts like Al-Idrisi and Leo Africanus, drawing insightful conclusions about Ghanaian warriors, intellectual culture, and society.
• Map the Lost City: Chart the location of Djenné-Djenno and visualize its trade routes, gaining a spatial understanding of ancient Ghana's reach.
• Creative Explorations: Design a warrior shield inspired by ancient Ghana, write a poem from the perspective of an archaeologist uncovering a lost treasure, or debate the importance of preserving cultural heritage.

Perfect for:

• Social studies and history lessons on Ancient Africa.
• Developing reading comprehension, critical thinking, and analytical skills.
• Integrating primary sources and historical accounts into learning.
• Fostering creativity, historical empathy, and cultural awareness.

Ready to transport your students to the vibrant world of ancient Ghana? Download this captivating worksheet and watch them transform into history detectives, treasure hunters, and insightful storytellers!

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze various aspects of ancient Ghanaian society, including social classes, trade networks, and intellectual pursuits.
• Evaluate the significance of archaeological discoveries and primary sources in reconstructing historical narratives.
• Develop critical thinking skills through source analysis, inference, and problem-solving.
• Foster awareness of diverse perspectives and challenge stereotypical depictions of African history and cultures.
• Appreciate the importance of preserving cultural heritage and safeguarding historical sites.

Common Core Standards Alignment:

• RH.6-8.2: Determine the central ideas or information of a historical text.
• RH.6-8.3: Analyze how a primary source reveals the historical context of a particular event.
• RH.6-8.7: Integrate information from various sources to answer questions about a particular historical period.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.7: Analyze various features of text, including figurative language, word choice, and tone.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.2: Write informative texts, explaining how a particular historical event unfolded.

By weaving a captivating narrative with interactive activities and thought-provoking discussions, this worksheet promises to bring the lost treasures and forgotten stories of ancient Ghana to life for your students!

Step into the gilded halls of power and uncover the captivating lives of Ancient Ghana's royalty! This engaging reading comprehension and critical thinking worksheet transports your students to a world where gold glitters, whispers fill the air, and kings and queens navigate the delicate dance between daily routines and awe-inspiring responsibilities.

Delve into:

• A Day in the Life: Witness the multifaceted duties of Ghanaian rulers, from religious rituals and council meetings to diplomatic encounters and royal hunts.
• Secrets of the Palace: Explore the intricate power dynamics within the royal family, where queen mothers hold sway and griots, the keepers of oral history, weave tales of triumphs and lessons learned.
• Unraveling the Past: Analyze a primary source to discover how daily routines and objects reveal the power and responsibilities of Ghanaian monarchs.
• A Journey Through Time: Trace the rise and fall of Ghana's kings and queens through a captivating timeline, understanding how events like the Battle of Beth Koufo shaped the kingdom's destiny.

Ignite your students' curiosity with:

• Multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, and short answer questions that test comprehension and critical thinking skills.
• A captivating primary source that brings history to life.
• Engaging short answer prompts that encourage research, analysis, and discussion.

Perfect for:

• Social studies and history lessons on Ancient Africa.
• Developing reading comprehension and critical thinking skills.
• Fostering curiosity and a love of learning about diverse cultures.

Ready to unlock the secrets of Ancient Ghana's royalty? Download this exciting worksheet and watch your students become history detectives, critical thinkers, and captivated explorers of the past!

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze the daily lives and responsibilities of ancient Ghanaian rulers.
• Evaluate the role of griots in preserving history and shaping cultural identity.
• Understand the significance of key events in Ghana's history.
• Develop critical thinking skills through source analysis, inference, and problem-solving.

Common Core Standards Alignment:

• RH.6-8.2: Determine the central ideas or information of a historical text.
• RH.6-8.3: Analyze how a primary source reveals the historical context of a particular event.
• RH.6-8.7: Integrate information from various sources to answer questions about a particular historical period.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.7: Analyze various features of text, including figurative language, word choice, and tone.

Journey beyond the dazzling gold mines and shimmering trade routes to discover the vibrant heartbeat of ancient Ghana! This engaging reading comprehension and activity-packed worksheet takes your students on a captivating exploration of daily life in this powerful West African kingdom. From majestic palaces to humble villages, they'll unravel the customs, traditions, and fascinating stories that painted the tapestry of everyday life for Ghanians of all walks.

Unmask the Wonders Within:

• Uncover Diverse Architecture: Explore the stark contrast between the awe-inspiring "Golden House" of kings and the cozy thatched-roof huts of villagers, understanding how architecture reflected social hierarchy.
• Unravel the Secrets of Fashion: Discover how vibrant garments woven from imported silk and adorned with gold defined elite status, while simpler cotton attire woven by local hands clothed the commoners.
• Savor a Culinary Symphony: Taste the diverse flavors of Ghana through rich royal dishes infused with exotic spices and the wholesome meals of farmers and artisans, appreciating the shared importance of food.
• Connect with Ancestral Whispers: Delve into the rich spiritual beliefs that permeated every aspect of life, understanding the reverence for ancestral spirits and how religion shaped cultural practices.

Engage Your Students with:

• Interactive Comprehension Questions: Stimulate critical thinking through multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, and short answer formats.
• Primary Source Analysis: Decipher historical accounts like Al-Bakri's description of the royal palace, drawing insightful conclusions about society and values.
• Discussion Prompts: Spark lively classroom conversations about social hierarchy, cultural expressions, and the enduring legacy of ancient Ghana.

Perfect for:

• Social studies and history lessons on Ancient Africa.
• Developing reading comprehension, critical thinking, and analytical skills.
• Integrating primary sources into historical learning.
• Fostering creativity, cultural awareness, and appreciation for diverse lifestyles.

Ready to transport your students to a vibrant, dynamic Ghana where everyday life hummed with unique charm? Download this exciting worksheet and watch them transform into history detectives, cultural explorers, and creative collaborators!

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze the daily lives of people in different social classes in ancient Ghana.
• Evaluate the significance of architecture, fashion, food, and religion in shaping Ghanaian culture.
• Develop critical thinking skills through source analysis, inference, and problem-solving.
• Foster creativity and cultural awareness through hands-on activities and discussions.
• Appreciate the importance of understanding diverse lifestyles and historical contexts.

Common Core Standards Alignment:

• RH.6-8.2: Determine the central ideas or information of a historical text.
• RH.6-8.3: Analyze how a primary source reveals the historical context of a particular event.
• RH.6-8.7: Integrate information from various sources to answer questions about a particular historical period.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.7: Analyze various features of text, including figurative language, word choice, and tone.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.2: Write informative texts, explaining how a particular historical event unfolded

Embark on a captivating journey through time and uncover the forgotten secrets of ancient Ghana! This comprehensive reading comprehension and activity-packed worksheet whisks your students away to a land of gleaming gold, whispering ruins, and untold stories. From exquisite jewelry adorning Ashanti royalty to the ironclad warriors who guarded trade routes, Ghana's legacy lives on in whispers carried by the wind.

Unravel the Tapestry of History:

• Golden Whispers: Discover the secrets etched in artifacts like the Golden Beads of Asantemanso and terracotta figurines, understanding the lives and rituals of a vanished civilization.
• Guardians of Gold: Meet the fierce warriors who defended Ghana's prosperity, from spearmen of the Ghana Empire to Ashanti fighters, and analyze their impact on shaping the kingdom's history.
• Djenné-Djenno: City of Whispers: Explore the lost metropolis predating Timbuktu, unveiling its advanced irrigation systems, thriving iron industry, and evidence of long-distance trade that stretched across the savanna.
• Beyond Battlefield Glory: Challenge stereotypes and uncover Ghana's intellectual strength through the ruins of universities like Sankore and references to books on medicine, astronomy, and mathematics.

Engage Your Students with:

• Interactive Comprehension Questions: Dive deeper with multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, and short answer formats, sparking critical thinking and discussion.
• Primary Source Analysis: Decipher historical accounts like Al-Idrisi and Leo Africanus, drawing insightful conclusions about Ghanaian warriors, intellectual culture, and society.

Perfect for:

• Social studies and history lessons on Ancient Africa.
• Developing reading comprehension, critical thinking, and analytical skills.
• Integrating primary sources and historical accounts into learning.
• Fostering creativity, historical empathy, and cultural awareness.

Ready to transport your students to the vibrant world of ancient Ghana? Download this captivating worksheet and watch them transform into history detectives, treasure hunters, and insightful storytellers!

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze various aspects of ancient Ghanaian society, including social classes, trade networks, and intellectual pursuits.
• Evaluate the significance of archaeological discoveries and primary sources in reconstructing historical narratives.
• Develop critical thinking skills through source analysis, inference, and problem-solving.
• Foster awareness of diverse perspectives and challenge stereotypical depictions of African history and cultures.
• Appreciate the importance of preserving cultural heritage and safeguarding historical sites.

Common Core Standards Alignment:

• RH.6-8.2: Determine the central ideas or information of a historical text.
• RH.6-8.3: Analyze how a primary source reveals the historical context of a particular event.
• RH.6-8.7: Integrate information from various sources to answer questions about a particular historical period.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.7: Analyze various features of text, including figurative language, word choice, and tone.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.2: Write informative texts, explaining how a particular historical event unfolded.

By weaving a captivating narrative with interactive activities and thought-provoking discussions, this worksheet promises to bring the lost treasures and forgotten stories of ancient Ghana to life for your students!

Unravel the fascinating stories of King Tenkamenin and Queen Amina, the golden monarchs who shaped the destiny of Ancient Ghana! This engaging reading comprehension and critical thinking worksheet transports your students to a world of shimmering wealth, fierce warriors, and shrewd leadership. Beyond the legendary gold trade, they'll discover the strategies, talents, and challenges that defined these iconic rulers and cemented Ghana's place in history.

Dive into a Realm of Power and Legacy:

• Meet Tenkamenin, the Architect of Prosperity: Witness his cunning economic reforms, strategic trade alliances, and agricultural innovations that turned Ghana into a formidable empire.
• Unearth the Fierce Warrior Queen, Amina: Explore her unparalleled military prowess, territorial expansion, and cultural influence that defied expectations in a male-dominated world.
• Primary Sources Bring History to Life: Analyze captivating excerpts from historical accounts, deciphering clues about leadership styles, societal values, and the kingdom's economic might.

Engage Your Students with:

• Interactive Comprehension Questions: Stimulate critical thinking through multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, and short answer formats.
• Primary Source Analysis: Hone interpretation skills by deciphering historical evidence and drawing insightful conclusions.
• Comparative Thinking: Analyze leadership styles, challenges, and achievements of both Tenkamenin and Amina.
• Discussion Prompts: Foster vibrant classroom conversations about themes like power, gender, and legacy building.

Perfect for:

• Social studies and history lessons on Ancient Africa.
• Developing reading comprehension, critical thinking, and analytical skills.
• Integrating primary sources into historical learning.
• Sparking discussions about leadership, gender roles, and societal dynamics.

Ready to take your students on a captivating journey through the reigns of Tenkamenin and Amina? Download this enriching worksheet and watch them transform into history detectives, critical thinkers, and engaged storytellers!

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze the leadership styles, economic and military strategies, and cultural impact of King Tenkamenin and Queen Amina.
• Evaluate the significance of primary sources in understanding historical events and figures.
• Develop critical thinking skills through source analysis, inference, and problem-solving.
• Compare and contrast different leadership approaches and their outcomes.
• Foster discussions about gender roles, societal expectations, and overcoming challenges.

Common Core Standards Alignment:

• RH.6-8.2: Determine the central ideas or information of a historical text.
• RH.6-8.3: Analyze how a primary source reveals the historical context of a particular event.
• RH.6-8.7: Integrate information from various sources to answer questions about a particular historical period.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.7: Analyze various features of text, including figurative language, word choice, and tone.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.2: Write informative texts, explaining how a particular historical event unfolded.

Unravel the mysteries of Ancient Ghana's dramatic fall with this engaging reading comprehension worksheet!

Step into a world of clashing faiths, shifting alliances, and empires rising and falling. Your students will delve into the fascinating story of Ghana, a kingdom once gilded in gold, as it faces a formidable challenge from the north: the Almoravids, a zealous Berber dynasty driven by a fervent brand of Islam.

This comprehensive resource includes:

• Captivating narrative: Dive into the rich history of Ghana and the Almoravids through vivid storytelling and historical accuracy.
• Primary source analysis: Analyze a historical excerpt to gain firsthand insights into the growing presence of Islam in Ghana.
• Comprehension questions: Test your students' understanding with multiple-choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, and short answer questions that delve deeper into the text.
• Answer key: Save valuable time with a clear and concise answer key for all questions.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze the historical context of the clash between Ghana and the Almoravids.
• Identify the impact of Islam on Ghanaian society and culture.
• Evaluate the significance of the Battle of Beth Koufo in shaping West African history.
• Develop critical thinking skills through primary source analysis and question-answering.

Common Core Standards Alignment:

• RH.6-8.2: Determine the central ideas or information of a historical text.
• RH.6-8.3: Analyze how a primary source reveals the historical context of a particular event.
• RH.6-8.7: Integrate information from various sources to answer questions about a particular historical period.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.7: Analyze various features of text, including figurative language, word choice, and tone.

History, patterns, repetition, and slang make Scat writing fun and educational for students. Learn about the history and great artists of the genre of Blues and Jazz then write Scat and perform for peers! This 18 page presentation uses: History and culture of Blues and Jazz Patterns/Repetition Slang Song Lyrics Rhythm and Rhyme Blues and Jazz Greats focusing on Ray Charles Sing-along example Writing process Peer reviewing/workshopping Overview of the Blues and Jazz era Elements of Blues and Jazz Research component Critical Thinking activities Extra Resources Lesson Plan Learning about Jazz and Blues, its history and culture, and patterns and rhythms will get students up and moving with Scat. Fun, interactive, and educational with links and visuals for all learning styles. Be sure to share and perform your Scat Blues and Jazz songs!

This product includes a reading passage detailing how someone could use bushcraft techniques to survive in the Egyptian Wilderness. Use the reading and the Battle Royale style activity to teach about Bushcraft and Primitive Survival Techniques while reinforcing the geography of Egypt. Any fan of fortnite or other Battle Royale style video games will love this assignment! But even the students who don't play fortnite will enjoy making their battle royale survival plan. If you are looking for a more general bushcraft assignment, check out this assignment.

I like to use this assignment as a follow-up to my lesson on the Geography of Egypt. I’ve found that the creativity that students use to design their own survival kit helps to anchor knowledge of the geography and animals of Egypt. One thing to be aware of is that your students will likely discuss hunting weapons, including firearms. If you or your school are sensitive to this kind of thing, make sure to set parameters beforehand. An easy way to do this is by telling students that they can only bring ancient weapons - or if they want a real challenge, they must make their own hunting weapons using tools and items in the natural world. I also allow my students to research other wildlife and plant life as they prepare their supply list, and we discuss ethical hunting practices before they begin.

If you want to add more time and rigor to this assignment, you can allow students to work on their checklists in pairs and set a weight limit on materials (I normally set a limit of 35 pounds for their 12 items). Then, have students research name brand items on their iPads to find their exact weight. Students can write the weight of each individual item in the circular bullet point to make sure they don’t go over the limit. This typically keeps students engaged for the entire class period. You can try setting a budget as well but this can sometimes make the assignment frustratingly difficult for some students. It all depends on the class, which is why these criteria are optional. I also like to have students share their survival kit at the end of class and vote on the person that they think would survive the longest.

 This product is a Google Doc with 12 questions about Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s "We Should All Be Feminists". It can be used after reading the printed version OR viewing the Ted Talk. You can print it out or have your students complete it digitally.

     My students had SO MUCH to say about this piece. After completing this chart with a partner, we held a roundtable discussion where the students discussed the ideas presented in the questions.  They were eager to talk about their personal experiences!  Thank you so much and please let me know if you have any questions!