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A Look At African Cultures

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Project Description

Throughout our multicultural society, we often see a lack of respect for and fear of different cultures. Distrust, fear, and misunderstanding often come from ignorance and a lack of understanding of other cultures and people.

Students will study three African cultures, focusing on their history, traditions and way of living. As a result of their study, students will develop an understanding that within one culture —the African culture—there can be great differences in the culture, traditions and people.

Students will work in cooperative groups to design and create a multicultural African quilt. Each student will create one panel of the quilt that depicts the culture that they studied.

Project Goals

Essential Question:

How is one ethnicity depicted in different ways in different cultures?

Specific Questions

What is ethnicity?

What is a culture?

What does a culture look like?

What were the influences on the development of the African culture?

What are the distinguishing features between different African cultures?

Illinois and CPS Learning Standards

Illinois and CPS Learning Standards:

Grade 6

STATE GOAL 18: UNDERSTAND, ANALYZE, AND COMPARE SOCIAL SYSTEMS WITH AN EMPHASIS ON THE UNITED STATES.

CAS A.

Explain how various cultural traditions (language, literature, the arts) contribute to the transmission of culture.

CFS

1. Explain how the clash of cultures causes changes (e.g., Alexander the Great and the development of Hellenistic culture, the impact of Islam on the culture of southern Spain, the influence of ancient Chinese culture on the Korean peninsula).
2. Evaluate the influence of beliefs, liturgical practices, and observances of holy days associated with major religions in the world (e.g., Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism) on local customs and traditions.

Unit Prerequisites:

• Students must be able to follow directions.
• Students must be able to work cooperatively in groups.

Performance Assessment Plan