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AFT Human Rights Resources: The Legacy of Nelson Mandela - AFT Human Rights Resources
Grades
9 to 12
The Legacy of Nelson Mandela is a free lesson that explores his life and career. The lesson is divided into four steps: Hook, The Meaning of Leadership, Videos and Other ...more
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The Legacy of Nelson Mandela is a free lesson that explores his life and career. The lesson is divided into four steps: Hook, The Meaning of Leadership, Videos and Other Teachers' Resources (including Standards-Based Exercises and What Students Can Do). In the Standards-Based Exercises, there are multiple activities including: Lesson in Leadership, Mandela: Hero or Villain?, Comparing the Words of Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., and more. At the bottom of the website, you will find Additional Resources to learn more about Nelson Mandela.
tag(s): Nelson Mandela (10)
In the Classroom
Students can use Google Drawings, reviewed here to compare and contrast Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr. Students can use Padlet, reviewed here to post whether they believe Nelson Mandela is a hero and why. Finally, students can use TagCrowd, reviewed here to create a word cloud to define leadership.Teaching Nelson Mandela: Learning Experiences and Lessons to Support Grades 7-12 Classrooms - Canadian Museum for Human Rights: Brock University
Grades
7 to 12Teaching Nelson Mandela: Learning Experiences and Lessons to Support Grades 7-12 Classrooms offers a variety of lessons about Nelson Mandela and South Africa. Some lessons include Apartheid...more
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Teaching Nelson Mandela: Learning Experiences and Lessons to Support Grades 7-12 Classrooms offers a variety of lessons about Nelson Mandela and South Africa. Some lessons include Apartheid as a Social Policy, Apartheid Laws and Resistance, Documentary and Biography: A Lens for Studying Life Stories, Communicating a Message, and more. Each lesson gives the grade level, time, objectives, procedure, list of materials, and links to resources. Some lessons include follow-up activities and questions to reinforce learning.
tag(s): Nelson Mandela (10), south africa (15)
In the Classroom
Students can use Padlet, reviewed here to share one fact that they learned about Nelson Mandela. Students can use the Time Graphics Timeline Tool, reviewed here to create a timeline of events for apartheid. Finally, students can create a word cloud using WordClouds, reviewed here to share a word associated with Nelson Mandela.Nelson Mandela Fast Facts - CNN
Grades
6 to 12CNN's Nelson Mandela Fast Facts offers an easy-to-read timeline about the life of Nelson Mandela. The timeline is broken down into Personal, Other Facts, and Timeline. ...more
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CNN's Nelson Mandela Fast Facts offers an easy-to-read timeline about the life of Nelson Mandela. The timeline is broken down into Personal, Other Facts, and Timeline.
tag(s): black history (136), Nelson Mandela (10), south africa (15)
In the Classroom
Students can use Kidrex, reviewed here to research more about the events mentioned in the timeline. Students can use Figma, reviewed here to compare and contrast Nelson Mandela to another historical figure. Finally, students can use Google My Maps, reviewed here to visit South Africa.Ancient Africa - Mali - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Introduce your students to the Mali Empire, a powerful West African state that flourished from the 13th to the 16th century CE. It was one of Africa's most influential and ...more
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Introduce your students to the Mali Empire, a powerful West African state that flourished from the 13th to the 16th century CE. It was one of Africa's most influential and prosperous medieval civilizations. Share this thorough collection of resources with your students as a deep dive into the rich tapestry of Mali's history, culture, and legacy. This collection also includes a helpful article (view here) for teachers that highlights many activities and books related to the Mali Empire. The article includes activities and extensions to help differentiate the content and offer extra student support.
In the Classroom
Dive into the fascinating world of the Mali Empire with your class! Take a peek at each resource's "Classroom Use" section for creative ideas on weaving these materials into your lessons. Your students will love exploring this ancient civilization together!Kingdom of Kush - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Take your students on a trip to a different time. The Kingdom of Kush, a powerful and often overlooked civilization that flourished in ancient Nubia (present-day Sudan), offers a fascinating...more
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Take your students on a trip to a different time. The Kingdom of Kush, a powerful and often overlooked civilization that flourished in ancient Nubia (present-day Sudan), offers a fascinating glimpse into Africa's rich historical tapestry. This collection of resources highlights the remarkable legacy of Kush, spanning from its emergence around 2500 BCE to its decline in the 4th century CE. From the towering pyramids of Meroe to the intricate jewelry found in royal tombs, from the complex relationship with ancient Egypt to the development of the Meroitic script, these carefully curated materials reveal a civilization of great wealth, cultural sophistication, and political influence.
In the Classroom
Don't miss the chance to share this collection link on your school website and in your next newsletter. Your fellow teachers and parents will appreciate having access to these materials! Browse through to find perfect additions to your upcoming lessons--there's something here for every teaching style!Ancient Ghana, Mali, and Songhay: Cluster Web Activity - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
6 to 12This interactive resource guides students through the histories of three powerful West African empires, focusing on their trade networks, cultural achievements, and political structures....more
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This interactive resource guides students through the histories of three powerful West African empires, focusing on their trade networks, cultural achievements, and political structures. The activity uses a cluster web format to help students organize and visualize key concepts, making it an engaging way to deepen understanding of historical connections. Teachers can use this resource to support lessons on African history, world civilizations, or trade and cultural exchange.
tag(s): africa (170), cultures (226), politics (118), worksheets (71)
In the Classroom
Divide students into groups representing different West African empires. Give each group specific trade goods (gold, salt, ivory, etc.) and have them negotiate and "trade" with each other, simulating the trans-Saharan trade routes. Students can create annotated maps showing the locations of Ghana, Mali, and Songhay, major trade routes, and key cities like Timbuktu and Gao. Have them use MapHub reviewed here or ePubEditor reviewed here and add visuals and summaries to their maps. Assign students to research and compare the leadership styles of Sundiata Keita, Mansa Musa, and Sunni Ali. They can present their findings through a podcast-style discussion using Adobe Podcast, reviewed here or Buzzsprout reviewed here.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
The Empire of Mali- The Twang of a Bow - Extra History
Grades
6 to 12This engaging historical account traces the rise of Sundiata Keita, the founder of the Mali Empire, from his humble beginnings in a fractured post-Ghanaian world to his triumphant leadership...more
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This engaging historical account traces the rise of Sundiata Keita, the founder of the Mali Empire, from his humble beginnings in a fractured post-Ghanaian world to his triumphant leadership as Mansa of Mali. Born into a minor fiefdom after the collapse of the Ghana Empire, Sundiata overcame personal and political struggles--including exile, disability, and family betrayal--to unite warring factions against the tyrannical sorcerer-king Soumaoro Kante. Through strategic alliances and military prowess, he led a victorious rebellion in 1234, forming a powerful federation of twelve nations. Unlike its predecessor, Mali thrived under Sundiata's rule, benefiting from vast gold mines, controlled trade routes, and a strong military. His reign laid the foundation for one of West Africa's greatest empires, ensuring economic prosperity and political stability for generations to come.
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tag(s): africa (170)
In the Classroom
Have students explore Mali's contributions to art, music, and storytelling, researching griots, traditional instruments, or historical sites like Timbuktu. They can present their findings through skits, posters, or mini-documentaries using moovly reviewed here or Animoto reviewed here. Students can participate in a Mali trade simulation, where they role-play merchants, kings, and traders exchanging goods (gold, salt, textiles) and negotiating taxes, highlighting the importance of trade in Mali's success. Students can illustrate a comic strip using Free Comic Strip Maker reviewed here or Write Comics reviewed here retelling key events from Sundiata's journey, emphasizing major turning points like his exile, rise to power, and victory over Soumaoro Kante.Mali Lesson Plans - Virginia Department of Education
Grades
4 to 12Unlock the rich history of West Africa with this engaging instructional resource from the Virginia Department of Education. From the legendary rise of Sundiata Keita to the flourishing...more
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Unlock the rich history of West Africa with this engaging instructional resource from the Virginia Department of Education. From the legendary rise of Sundiata Keita to the flourishing trade networks of the Mali Empire, this guide provides teachers with dynamic lesson plans, primary sources, and interactive activities to immerse students in African history. With a focus on storytelling, historical analysis, and cultural connections, this resource equips educators with the tools to make history come alive in the classroom. Plus, the included links offer even more ways to enrich student learning!
tag(s): africa (170), creative writing (125), journals (16)
In the Classroom
Students can create a travel journal to record responses to lessons on paper or using Imagine Forest, reviewed here or Sway, reviewed here. Have students participate in a suitcase packing activity to prepare for an imaginary journey to Mali by choosing items they may need on the trip. Create a list of items they may pack and have them discuss their choices. Students can illustrate key moments from the Epic of Sundiata using a storyboard format. They can either draw by hand or use digital tools such as Google Drawings, reviewed here to represent important events, such as Sundiata's early struggles, his rise to power, and the establishment of the Mali Empire. Have students participate in a trade simulation to understand the economic power of the Mali Empire. They can role-play as merchants trading gold, salt, and other goods along the trans-Saharan trade routes.Rise and Fall of the Mali Empire - BioGreat TV
Grades
5 to 12Rise and Fall of the Mali Empire is a seven-minute YouTube video. The video highlights the history, leadership, accomplishments, and decline of the Mali Empire. While watching...more
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Rise and Fall of the Mali Empire is a seven-minute YouTube video. The video highlights the history, leadership, accomplishments, and decline of the Mali Empire. While watching the video, a sketch artist sketches pictures or words about the Mali Empire.
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In the Classroom
Students can use Google Keep, reviewed here to take notes about the video. Students can use Time Graphics Timeline Maker, reviewed here to create a timeline about the Mali Empire. Students can also research more about the leaders shared in the video.The Griot tradition of West Africa - The Griot tradition of West Africa
Grades
3 to 12The Griot tradition of West Africa featuring Sibo Bangoura is a six-minute video featuring Sibo playing the Kora. Sibo sings a traditional West African song called Nan Fulie, which...more
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The Griot tradition of West Africa featuring Sibo Bangoura is a six-minute video featuring Sibo playing the Kora. Sibo sings a traditional West African song called Nan Fulie, which focuses on the importance of the Griot people. He additionally features an improvisation on the Djembe.
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tag(s): africa (170)
In the Classroom
Students can learn about the musical instruments Sibo features. Students can compare and contrast Sibo to other African musicians using Google Drawings, reviewed here. Finally, students can use WordClouds, reviewed here to share their feelings and emotions while listening to the songs.PBS's Timbuktu | Religion & Ethics Newsweekly - PBS's Timbuktu | Religion & Ethics Newsweekly
Grades
3 to 12PBS's Timbuktu | Religion & Ethics Newsweekly is a six-minute video featuring what appears to be an ancient manuscript found in Timbuktu. It highlights the city's history and the Islamic...more
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PBS's Timbuktu | Religion & Ethics Newsweekly is a six-minute video featuring what appears to be an ancient manuscript found in Timbuktu. It highlights the city's history and the Islamic religion. Share the video via Google Classroom or from the provided link. Teachers can also build a lesson with the video. The video aligns with the New York State Core Curriculum.
In the Classroom
Students can use Padlet, reviewed here to post their questions after viewing the video. Students can use Google Keep, reviewed here for note taking while watching the video. Finally, students can use Google My Maps, reviewed here to virtually visit the area featured in the video.Ancient Africa - Coolaboo
Grades
3 to 12View these resources related to Ancient Africa and the Kingdom of Kush. Find art, civilizations, daily life, people, geography, culture, government, and war. Under each topic are many...more
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View these resources related to Ancient Africa and the Kingdom of Kush. Find art, civilizations, daily life, people, geography, culture, government, and war. Under each topic are many resource links. The resource links include a Q&A or questions and answers at the very bottom.
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tag(s): africa (170)
In the Classroom
Students can compare and contrast the artworks using Figma reviewed here. Students can also create a Book Creator book reviewed here sharing the different people from Ancient Africia. Books can be created independently, or small groups could collaborate.Kush - Kids Britannica
Grades
3 to 12The Britannica Kids article on the Kingdom of Kush offers a clear, student-friendly overview of this ancient African civilization. It explains how Kush, located in what is now Sudan,...more
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The Britannica Kids article on the Kingdom of Kush offers a clear, student-friendly overview of this ancient African civilization. It explains how Kush, located in what is now Sudan, began as an Egyptian colony and later rose to power, even ruling Egypt during the 700s BCE. The article highlights Kush's wealth from gold mining, agriculture, and trade, as well as its cultural blend of Egyptian and African influences. It also notes the kingdom's eventual decline after being conquered by Aksum around 350 CE. This resource is ideal for upper elementary and middle school students studying ancient civilizations or African history.
tag(s): africa (170)
In the Classroom
Students can compare and contrast the ancient kingdom of Kush to another ancient civilization using a tool such as ClassTools Interactive Venn Diagrams reviewed here. You can click on the right side to choose between a two or three-circle Venn diagram. Students can use Google My Maps reviewed here to take a virtual field trip to where the ancient kingdom of Kush was located. Students can use Time Graphics Timeline Maker reviewed here to highlight important events from the ancient kingdom of Kush.Ancient Egypt - Crash Course
Grades
6 to 12Step back in time and explore the wonders of Ancient Egypt with CrashCourse! This engaging and visually appealing video is perfect for teachers and students alike, offering a fast-paced,...more
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Step back in time and explore the wonders of Ancient Egypt with CrashCourse! This engaging and visually appealing video is perfect for teachers and students alike, offering a fast-paced, expertly crafted journey through one of the world's most fascinating civilizations. From the pyramids and pharaohs to mummies and hieroglyphs, this resource simplifies complex history into bite-sized, entertaining lessons. Whether you're sparking curiosity in the classroom or enriching your own understanding, this course is your gateway to bringing Ancient Egypt to life.
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In the Classroom
Create a giant "knowledge pyramid" in the classroom. Divide students into groups and assign each group a topic related to Ancient Egypt (ex., pyramids, mummies, pharaohs, hieroglyphs, gods and goddesses). Have them research their topic, summarize key points, and add them to a section of the pyramid (using poster paper or a whiteboard). Teach students the basics of Egyptian hieroglyphs using a simple alphabet chart. Then, have them create short secret messages for classmates to decode, or write their names using hieroglyphs. Provide art supplies or digital design tools, such as Genially, reviewed here and have students design their own Egyptian-style tomb for a fictional pharaoh.Ancient Egypt and the Nile - Smithsonian
Grades
4 to 12Step into the wonders of ancient Egypt without leaving your classroom with the Smithsonian's Egypt Virtual Tour! This interactive resource takes students on a captivating journey through...more
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Step into the wonders of ancient Egypt without leaving your classroom with the Smithsonian's Egypt Virtual Tour! This interactive resource takes students on a captivating journey through Egypt's most iconic landmarks, including the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Sphinx, and the temples of Luxor and Karnak. The tour brings history to life with stunning visuals and detailed descriptions, offering insights into ancient Egyptian architecture, culture, and daily life. Perfect for upper elementary through high school students, this virtual experience makes learning immersive and exciting, fostering curiosity and a deeper connection to one of the world's greatest civilizations.
tag(s): asia (136), egypt (59), rivers (16), virtual field trips (132)
In the Classroom
Before starting the tour, provide students with a list of specific landmarks or details to look for during the virtual journey (ex., "Find a statue of a pharaoh" or "Locate the Sphinx"). This will keep them actively engaged while exploring. After the tour, have students design and write a postcard as if they were visiting one of the featured sites. Encourage them to describe what they saw, how they felt, and what they learned about the location. They can design a postcard digitally with Canva, reviewed here or a similar drawing tool. Challenge students to create an original model of an Egyptian-inspired monument using recycled materials or digital tools like Delightex (formerly CoSpaces) reviewed here. Have them explain the purpose of their structure and how it reflects ancient Egyptian culture.History Breakout Template - Genially
Grades
6 to 12Unlock the keys to history with gamified activities and escape rooms that you can personalize using Genially, reviewed here. Customizable content...more
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Unlock the keys to history with gamified activities and escape rooms that you can personalize using Genially, reviewed here. Customizable content includes options to add audio, video, multimedia, text, and interactive images. Begin by choosing the "Use this template" link to add the thirty-two-slide template to your Genially dashboard. Add information to each slide following the information provided to guide students through four missions. Invite students to join a live presentation using their devices or work together as a class using a live presentation on your whiteboard.
tag(s): digital escapes (17), game based learning (208), gamification (86), mysteries (24)
In the Classroom
Create interactive escape rooms to introduce history lessons, review for upcoming quizzes and tests, or as an engaging homework activity. As you create your history breakout, use Genially's AI features to generate questions, remove image backgrounds, and create images. Find free images to use with your breakout activity by browsing through resources available on TeachersFirst Special Topics Page for Free Image Resources, reviewed here.Ancient Egypt - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Step into the world of pharaohs, pyramids, and hieroglyphs with our collection of Ancient Egyptian resources. The resources offer a great selection of materials spanning over 3,000...more
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Step into the world of pharaohs, pyramids, and hieroglyphs with our collection of Ancient Egyptian resources. The resources offer a great selection of materials spanning over 3,000 years of one of the world's most enduring and influential civilizations. From the banks of the life-giving Nile to the enigmatic chambers of the Great Pyramids, our diverse array of educational content brings the wonders of Ancient Egypt to life. Explore high-resolution images of intricate tomb paintings and interactive maps tracing the kingdom's expansion and cultural influence. Our collection features resources on daily life in ancient Egyptian society, the complexities of their writing system, and the technological marvels that enabled the construction of their awe-inspiring monuments. Whether your students are embarking on a school project or you are looking for extension activities for your lessons and options for differentiation, these resources provide a gateway to understanding the rich tapestry of Ancient Egyptian history, culture, and lasting legacy.
tag(s): egypt (59)
In the Classroom
Help your students learn more about ancient Egypt. This list includes resources for cooperative learning groups. Read each resource's Classroom Use section to learn ways to incorporate the information in your lessons.Explore Ancient Worlds Through Art - Getty Museum
Grades
6 to 12The Getty's "Explore Ancient Worlds" website offers an immersive educational experience for teachers and students to explore ancient civilizations' art, culture, and history. Through...more
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The Getty's "Explore Ancient Worlds" website offers an immersive educational experience for teachers and students to explore ancient civilizations' art, culture, and history. Through interactive tools, curated resources, and detailed lessons, the site delves into the ancient worlds of Egypt, Greece, Rome, Mesopotamia, and more. Teachers can access various visual art materials, artifacts, and primary sources alongside suggested activities that encourage critical thinking and cross-disciplinary learning. This resource is perfect for engaging students in historical inquiry, cultural exploration, and the connections between ancient civilizations and modern society.
tag(s): africa (170), asia (136), cultures (226), europe (84), greek (46), mesopotamia (32)
In the Classroom
Ask students to design and present an ancient civilization, considering key aspects like government, art, religion, and daily life. They can create maps, cultural artifacts, and stories about their civilization. Have students create the maps with online tools such as Google My Map, reviewed here or MapHubs, reviewed here. Create a "mystery box" filled with images or replicas of ancient artifacts from various civilizations (ex., Egyptian, Greek, Roman). Have students guess which civilization the artifacts belong to and encourage them to explain their reasoning. Introduce students to myths and legends from ancient civilizations, such as Greek gods or Egyptian creation stories. Have students choose a myth to retell in their own words, or ask them to write an original myth, incorporating the themes and values of an ancient civilization.African, Jewish, and Middle Eastern Studies - Library of Congress
Grades
6 to 12The website African and Middle Eastern Jewish Studies: Research Guides from the Library of Congress provides a detailed overview of the Library's resources related to the history, culture,...more
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The website African and Middle Eastern Jewish Studies: Research Guides from the Library of Congress provides a detailed overview of the Library's resources related to the history, culture, and experiences of Jewish communities in Africa and the Middle East. It includes access to primary and secondary sources such as books, manuscripts, maps, photographs, and digital collections. The guide is organized by themes such as regional histories, diasporic movements, and cultural contributions, making it an excellent resource for educators and students exploring the intersection of Jewish, African, and Middle Eastern studies.
tag(s): africa (170), jews (52), middle east (50), religions (113)
In the Classroom
Assign students to read articles or watch videos from the site and facilitate an online discussion board using a tool like Padlet, reviewed here. Use digital mapping tools like Google My Maps, reviewed here or a paper map to create maps showing migration patterns, key cities, and historical events. Provide students with printed art samples or lyrics from traditional songs. Students can analyze them in groups and present their interpretations through live discussions, essays, or visual recreations.Talking Tours - Google Arts and Culture
Grades
4 to 12Google Arts and Culture combines the magic of AI with Google Maps to create an audio tour of cultural landmarks worldwide. After launching the experiment, you can click any pin ...more
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Google Arts and Culture combines the magic of AI with Google Maps to create an audio tour of cultural landmarks worldwide. After launching the experiment, you can click any pin on the map to begin the tour or select from options that include landmarks, nature, archaeology, and cultural institutions. After choosing a pin, the map opens in street view, and the AI-generated audio commentary begins. Use the arrow to move the panoramic image around, take a snapshot, generate a new commentary, or choose the blue button to record a question and receive an audio response.
tag(s): archeology (30), artificial intelligence (188), deserts (17), forests (31), landmarks (21), maps (224), museums (52), virtual field trips (132)