# Lesson 2: Day 2 - The Art of Africa

## **Google Doc of This Lesson**

[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1afI2A9s8WNBKVbQN0zB7RrPg0Of58eOwzlr73LN-n2E/edit?tab=t.qmco3z5ba25z](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1afI2A9s8WNBKVbQN0zB7RrPg0Of58eOwzlr73LN-n2E/edit?tab=t.qmco3z5ba25z)

## **Activity 1:** Moments in African History 

**Overview:** Students will engage in a shared reading of ***The Art of Africa: A Resource for Educators*** (Clarke & Arkenberg, 2006) to explore Africa as the cradle of humanity and recognize the complexity and value of precolonial African societies.

**Time:** 25 minutes

**Format:** Whole Group 

**Objective:** Students will be able to identify and discuss key moments in African history that demonstrate Africa’s role as the origin of humanity and the developments of its precolonial civilizations.

* Project [__The Art of Africa_A Resource for Educators (Clarke & Arkenberg, 2006).pdf__](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zyJGGE4Bi9cgRktEIJB1d4ocZRir7MJS/view)
* * Share the link to the document so students can follow along OR
  * Provide physical copies of the cover page along with p. 10-18; one for each student.
* Show students the maps of Africa on p. 11
* Tell them that you will read the next few pages aloud together.
* Begin reading aloud. Invite student volunteers to read portions of the text.
* * Pause occasionally to ask clarifying questions like:
  * * After reading the first paragraph on p. 13:
    * * *In what ways does viewing Africa as the “cradle of humanity” disrupt Western narratives about civilization and progress?*
    * After reading the first paragraph on p. 17: 
    * * *How do examples like the Nok sculptures, Great Zimbabwe, or the city of Jenne-jeno demonstrate the complexity of precolonial African societies?*
    * After reading the third paragraph on p. 18:
    * * *To what extent can indigenous African cultural systems—art, spiritual practices, social organization—be seen as global knowledge contributions?*


## **Activity 2:** Creating a Timeline of African History

**Overview:** In this partner activity, students will reread “Introduction to Africa” (pp. 10–18) from [*__The Art of Africa_A Resource for Educators (Clarke & Arkenberg, 2006).pdf__*](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zyJGGE4Bi9cgRktEIJB1d4ocZRir7MJS/view) to identify key historical moments and cultural developments. Using these details, they will create a visual timeline that highlights Africa’s role as the cradle of humanity and examines the global significance of indigenous African knowledge systems. 

**Time:** 25 minutes

**Format:** Partners

**Objective:** SWBAT analyze and sequence events by creating a timeline that highlights Africa’s historical and cultural contributions to global civilization.

* Project the [__African History Timeline__](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wL8I1MrIbwG-4bjWJgs08rvss6bkbr23UrF2g9m4p4U/edit?tab=t.0) template.
* * Invite students to make their own copy: [__African History Timeline- Make a copy__](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wL8I1MrIbwG-4bjWJgs08rvss6bkbr23UrF2g9m4p4U/copy)
* Explain to students that they will work with a partner to create a timeline highlighting key moments in precolonial African history.
* Tell them they will visualize Africa’s role as the cradle of humanity and its rich cultural achievements before colonization.
* Instruct students to highlight key historical events, civilizations, and innovations related to:
* * The origins of humanity
  * Early civilizations
  * Technological/cultural innovations
  * Trade networks and global connections
* Circulate the room to encourage discussion and support pairs in identifying significant details.

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**Documents**

- [L2:2 Activity - African History Timeline](https://1838blackmetropolis.getoutline.com/s/aa099d92-e5c1-4fa9-ad54-9fd69ac27a28/doc/l22-activity-african-history-timeline-YWBuOfaqGa)
- [L2:2 Book - The Art of Africa](https://1838blackmetropolis.getoutline.com/s/aa099d92-e5c1-4fa9-ad54-9fd69ac27a28/doc/l22-book-the-art-of-africa-Cg4b38baaH)