HERE TODAY, GONE TO MALI

Created by : Cheryl Phillips

Adapted from Mary Alice Liscomb

Back to Computer Class

This unit is intended for 3rd graders

Timeline: 2 - 45 minute classes


Introduction:

The kingdom of Mali was once among the most wealthiest kingdoms in the world. From A.D.500 to 1700  gold, salt and slaves brought huge wealth to the kingdoms. Mansa Musa, King of Mali, traveled in style to Egypt in 1324. A caravan of one hundred camels, each carrying three hundred pounds of gold, followed him on his journey. Mali has gone from being one of the wealthiest kingdoms to one of the poorest countries in the world today. Their civilization has undergone many changes, but much of the culture of Mali has remained the same.

Process:
You are going to Mali! Well, not really, but you will need to pack a suitcase as if you were going there.  What items you select will be based on the information you gather about this region. For example, if I were going to Hawaii, I know I'd want to take some clothing suitable for the beach. If I were going to Colorado in the winter, I'd want to take skiing clothes.
It's up to you to  explore Malian geographic features as well as cultures and daily living practices through viewing pictures from the Gallery on the Mali Web site.
After looking through this site, you'll need to decide on what to take on your adventure. What  objects would be useful on a journey to Mali and how each might be needed.

 You will be creating a travel itinerary and list your items along with why you selected that item.

The Task:
Activity #1 Day 1

Read through "Good Golly It's Mali". After we read this, we'll go through the Photo Gallery , More Photos, (taken in 2006) and discuss the images we see. Talking points will include:

 Activity #2 Day 2

List 10 items on your itinerary that would be useful on your journey to Mali.
Find pictures to correspond to each picture. Next, select 5 out of 10 items to write about and don't forget to include how you plan to use each one on the journey.  

Evaluation: 

 Classroom discussion, participation, Itinerary, and student pictures.

Third Grade Curriculum Connection

Grade Three: History and Geography

3.2
The student will study the early West African empire of Mali by describing its oral tradition (storytelling), government (kings), and economic development (trade).

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