It is recommended that this activity be completed across two 60 minute class periods to provide adequate time to study each city. If time does not allow, it is possible for this lesson to be completed as a Jigsaw, with three groups, each studying one city and presenting their findings to the whole class but it should be noted that the timeframe needed for Timbuktu is longer than that of Gao or Jenne-Jeno/Djene.
Depending on access to classroom technology, divide students up in order to ensure that each student or group has access to a tablet or computer for this online activity. If you have not already done so, introduce your students to the Gold Road Map using the detailed instructions and student handouts on How to use The Gold Road available through the Digital Toolkit.
Distribute the student context for students to read.
Then, invite students to learn even more about three great cities in West Africa and the roles each played in supporting community, networks, knowledge, economic activities, and kingdoms. If completing with Gr.5/upper elementary students it is recommended to do this activity as a whole group or in supported small groups in order to support vocabulary.
- Session 1- Gao; Jenne-Jeno/Djenne
- Session 2-Timbuktu
Once online, ask your students to set up their display to show the West African cities that they will be exploring. You can do this by sharing this link or by modeling for students how to visit http://thegoldroad.org/map.aspx# and make the appropriate selections.
- Select all three empires under the Time Period (Ghana, Mali and Songhai). Then, select Places under Categories. If done correctly approximately thirty two markers should be displayed on the left hand side
- Students should select the assigned city to read the overview. At the conclusion of each City overview there are “related markers”. Students should take time to review all of the related markers inclusive of readings, images and videos.
- As students review the markers they should respond to on the corresponding question sheet.
- Where is this city? In what region of West Africa is it located and what present-day modern country? Use the landscape, place, and architecture buttons to find out.
- Who founded this city?
- Who may have lived in this city? Who may have passed through there (but not lived in the city)?
- What features of this city and its surrounding geography allowed people to thrive there? Why is it important & how was it useful to people?
- What kingdom(s) and which specific people ruled it?
- What would a market in this city have looked like?
- What important buildings and landscape features are part of this city?
- What other cities are linked to this city? How and why are they linked? What is the city like today?
At the conclusion of the class session(s) students should either share with the group, or individually through an exit ticket, responses to “What key features did you learn about your city and what surprised you?
An extension activity would be to ask that students compare their cities’ features, economic, and cultural activities.