Students are introduced to the physical geography of West and Central Africa. They identify all 24 countries and major bodies of water on a map. Then they create a map that illustrates some of the geographical features of the region. Next, students research one of the countries and report on their findings. Finally, students research and explain one of the environmental challenges for this region.
Students are introduced to water as a vital natural resource, then respond to a word cloud prompt by listing multiple ways they personally use water. They view information about Africa’s natural resources and answer a poll identifying which resources are found in significant quantities in sub-Saharan Africa.
Teacher MovesPresent the lesson focus on water as a natural resource in sub-Saharan Africa and connect it to broader questions about resource distribution. Clarify that Africa is a region rich in natural resources, but that imperialism, foreign corporations, and corrupt governments have often prevented citizens from benefiting fully from these resources. Use student responses to the word cloud and poll to surface prior knowledge and misconceptions before moving on.
Students watch Life Without Clean Water, in which Jackson describes how he obtains water for his home in Uganda, then collaboratively generate questions they would like to ask him by adding entries to a shared class table.
Teacher MovesEnsure students understand the context of Jackson’s life in Uganda and how his experience illustrates challenges related to water access. Support students as they form thoughtful, inquiry-based questions about his daily life and water use, then organize them into their assigned groups before proceeding.
In small groups, students discuss how Jackson gets his water and compare his experience to their own access and use of water. A designated note taker posts the group’s ideas to a discussion wall. Students then write a letter to Jackson describing how they obtain and use water throughout a typical day.
Teacher MovesPrompt groups to make specific comparisons between Jackson’s situation and their own, highlighting differences in access, effort, and reliability. Remind each group to select a note taker to share their ideas on the wall, and encourage students to use clear, respectful language in their letters that reflects empathy and understanding of Jackson’s circumstances.
Students learn that many areas of sub-Saharan Africa face ongoing drought and water shortages, then, in groups, discuss key facts from The United Nations World Water Development Report 2021 about water scarcity, uneven distribution of freshwater, and pollution. They respond to a poll about who should be responsible for managing a country’s water resources and post explanations of their choices on a small-group wall. Finally, they review other groups’ posts and reply to at least one with a positive comment or question.
Teacher MovesProvide context for the drought and water shortage in sub-Saharan Africa and, as needed, reference the full UN water report to deepen understanding. Guide group discussions of the statistics so students connect data to real-world impacts on people and the environment. After the poll, prompt students to justify their choices with evidence and reasoning, and encourage constructive, respectful interaction as they comment on other groups’ posts, emphasizing multiple perspectives on responsibility and cooperation in water management.
Students individually locate and mark Uganda on a map, complete a sentence using an inline choice item about the effects of environmental change, read a brief explanation of water conflict, and post to a class wall explaining whether they think a water conflict could occur in sub-Saharan Africa and why.
Teacher MovesCheck students’ ability to identify Uganda on a regional map and interpret how environmental changes can affect human activities. Clarify the concept of water conflict using the provided definition, then prompt students to support their wall responses with evidence from earlier scenes and discussions. Use their explanations to assess understanding of water scarcity, distribution, and potential for conflict in sub-Saharan Africa.
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