Book Description

Written by 25 African educators from 15 African nations that make up the African Social Studies Programme (ASSP), a Pan-African organization headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, this document is designed to supplement the sparse material on Africa available in the K-12 curriculum and textbooks in the United States, and these 11 lessons encourage U.S. middle schools to explore, appreciate, and become aware of African culture. The topics of the lessons include: (1) diverse lifestyles; (2) cross-cultural understanding; (3) Ghanaian culture; (4) marriage customs in Liberia, Malawi, and Uganda; (5) Yoruba infant naming ceremonies; (6) cuisine and etiquette in Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Zambia; (7) Swazi culture; (8) family life in Ghana, Tanzania, and Zambia; (9) education in Lesotho; (10) youth employment opportunities in Nigeria; and (11) African perspectives of the United States. Each lesson includes a preview, learning objectives, required resources, teaching procedures, and student activities and exercises. Handouts, drawings, a select bibliography, and lists of U.S. African studies centers, organizations, and publishers are also included. (DJC)