Geography and Africa

A WebQuest on African Geography

For the 5th grade

Designed by Kimberlee Christian
kmoorcroft@msn.com

africamap

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page


Introduction

 Have you ever wanted to travel to Africa? What do you think you would see? Do you know how big Africa really is? This is the investigation you will be involved in for this webquest. You will be able to virtually travel to Africa, see different animals and geography, and think about the actual size of the African continent. Get ready, get set, LETS GO!!!                              Explore Africa at home, invite someone you live with to explore with you. Here are some websites that are fun and informative for you to start out with before we begin our investigation tasks.

http://pbskids.org/africa/

http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/africa/index.htm

 http://www.africaphotos.com/index.htm


The Task

areas

To begin this unit we will talk about the continent of Africa in class. As a class we will spend time reading the book Africa Is Not A Country by Margy Burns Knoght and Mark Melnicove. Your first task will begin after we have finished the book. What is the difference between a continent and a country? This is the question you need to research. 

Task #1 ~ Country or Continent?

1) Think about it! Is Africa a country?

2)Look up the definition of a country and look up the definition of a continent. Compare and contrast the two definitions. Use a the chart provided in class to complete this assignment. Be prepared to share your results with your table groups.

Click HERE for a Kidspiration chart to use as you compare and contrast

We will talk about our research together as a class. Be prepared to share your findings with your table groups. Honestly think about what you had thought before you conducted your research. Did you think of Africa as a country or as a continent? Now lets look into this further...                   In Order to move into our next section I need your help. Please take some time to make some discoveries on your own that we will be able to use in class. Task #2 will tell you what to do.

Task #2 ~ How Big is Africa?
1)Go to one or more of these websites to find a map of Africa. 

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/africa/explore/index_flash.html
http://worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/af.htm
http://www.yourchildlearns.com/africa_map.htm

2) Print out, redraw, or copy your map. Bring this to school with you tomorrow.

3) Find the area of the continent of Africa. Next find the area of the United States of America. Write both areas down so you can share your findings with your table groups. 

Together we will share our maps and talk about why we chose the one we did. What made it interesting to you? You will also be asked what kind of map you have chosen. Is it a physical map? A political map?... Then we will find out just how big Africa is so have your areas ready to share with the class. 

Africa is not only a large continent, but a diverse place. For your final task you will be asked to pick a region of Africa. (Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western or Central.) From the region you have picked you will find an animal that lives there and research this animal. Here is your final task...

Task #3~ Geography & Wildlife...Make Some Connections

 (We will play animal bingo in class before you are asked to pick your animal from Africa. This way you will be introduced to animals from the different countries of Africa.)

1) Pick an animal (that lives in Africa) to research.

2) Questions to think about...

    i)Where would you find this animal? Region? Country?

    ii)Facts about this animal (habitat, food, habits, family life etc...)

    iii)Facts about region or country (area, climate, population, people, other animals, food, traditions etc...)

3) You will need to make an animal & region or county report. This should be  about 2 pages. 1 page on the animal and 1 page on the region or country. (Please look at the rubric)

Task #4~
Your tasks are leading up to this... You will need to create a Portfolio with the information you have gathered throughout this webquest. In this portfolio you will need to include the compare and contrast information, the first map you brought to class, and your animal/region or country report.  
How to put this together...look at the process section for more information.


The Process

penguinPenguins in Africa?!?!   zulu dancing Where would you find the Zulu tribe?

We will begin this webquest together. This way you will be introduced to the tasks before I ask you to do them on your own.
  1. We will read the book Africa Is Not A Country together as a class.
  2. Once we have read this book we will go to the computer lab and look at the webquest.
  3. From this point you will be given time during class to explore this webquest, but there will be aspects you need to complete at home. 
  4. Before I ask you to move onto a task we will review it together so that any questions can be answered in the group.
  5. When tasks 1-3 have been completed there will be a final portfolio as a final assessment and presentation. 
  6. We will have a celebration of our portfolios to conclude our exploration. 
Portfolio Board (A showcase of your work) Portfolio Folder (A folder containing your portfolio) SlideShow
(A Slide show of your work)		 Your Own Idea (Check with me 1st)
This webquest is designed for you to explore and have the ability to be creative. In order to make your portfolio you will need to make sure that your work is organized. We will have a file folder in class for each student to keep your work so that the portfolio is easy to put together.


Evaluation

Look over this rubric (scoring guide) so that you know what I am looking for in this project. If you really look this over you will know what your score is before you even turn in your final work. PLEASE COME TO ME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.

What You Need To Know...

Beginning

1

Developing

2

Accomplished

3

Exemplary

4

Score

 

 Organization & Content

 
Student has little or no organization & content is still in the gathering stage.
Content is organized in many aspects, but needs development.
Content is mostly organized and easy to navigate.
Content is presented in an organized manner that flows for reader.

 

Graphics & Presentation

 

 
Overall presentation is absent or in the beginning stages.
Presentation is choppy, graphics are not appropriate or missing.
Presentation is clear, graphics fit into main idea for the most part.
Presentation is clear and concise with appropriate graphics that represent material.

 

Compare & Contrast

 

 
Student has some comparision but there is little or no evidence for support.
Student has some comparision as well as the beginning of contrasting elements.
Student has comparisions as well as contrasting characteristics that are supported.
Student has comparisions and contrasting characteristics that are supported and presented in a manner that flows.

 

Map Activity

 
Student has one piece of this project, map or area, but is missing the other.
Student has a most of the information needed for this assignment. 
Student has all materials for this assignment and is able to use this information for the assignment, mostly.
Student has researched and brought with them to class all of the materials needed, and have a grasp on how these materials can be used effectively.

 

Animal Report

 Some notes are available to support the beginning of research.
Student has notes and has started to put their project together.
Student has notes, a written project and an creative piece that is in final format with few grammatical mistakes.
Student has notes, a written project and an creative piece that is in final format with no grammatical errors.


Conclusion

By the end of this webquest students will be able to demonstrate their understanding of the size, and  diversity of Africa. It is my hope that students will develop an interest in the vast history of this continent.


Credits & References

http://pbskids.org/africa/

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/africa/explore/index_flash.html

http://wwwcalacademy.org/exhibits/africa/kids.htm

http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/africa/index.htm

http://www.yourchildlearns.com/africa_map.htm

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/africa.html

http://worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/af.htm

Africa Is Not A Country by Margy Burns Knight & Mark Melnicove

Step Into Africa by Caroline Starbird & Amy Bahrenburg

Kidspiration Software

Last updated on August 15, 1999. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page