Presentation, Graphic Organizers, & Activities

Africa’s

STANDARDS:SS7G2 The student will discuss environmental issues across the continent of Africa. a. Explain how water pollution and the unequal

distribution of water impacts irrigation, trade, industry, and drinking water.

b. Explain the relationship between poor soil and deforestation in Sub-Saharan Africa.

c. Explain the impact of desertification on the environment of Africa from the Sahel to the rainforest.

© Brain Wrinkles

TEACHER INFO: CLOZE Notes• The next pages are handouts for the

students to use for note-taking during the presentation. (Print front to back to save paper and ink.)

• Check the answers as a class after the presentation.

© Brain Wrinkles

Africa & W

ater•

Water has alw

ays been ____________________________ .

•The oceans, rivers, & seas that surround and run through A

frica have allowed A

fricans to _

___________________________ and to have access to the outside w

orld.•

The interactions around these bodies of water have enabled certain cities to becom

e thriving _

___________________________ .

Limited Supply

•Countries w

ith large river systems _

___________________________ for farm

ing and for people in villages, tow

ns, and cities.•

Unfortunately, the majority of A

frica has trouble getting enough water for

____________________________ .

•M

ost African countries have _

___________________________ for drinking and

washing.

•Droughts (periods of _

___________________________ ) have hurt m

any parts of A

frica.•

People who live in areas affected by drought often face

____________________________ .

•The tension betw

een the needs of a growing population and the

____________________________ is a serious issue for m

ost of Africa.

Pollution•

Many countries in A

frica do not have ____________________________ , even the ones

that have large rivers.•

African countries have the problem

of increasing ____________________________

and contamination from

animals & hum

an waste.

•Overpopulation and _

___________________________ have m

ade life along Africa’s

water sources difficult.

•Clean w

ater is needed for ____________________________ and sanitation.

•Lack of clean w

ater to wash w

ith increases the frequency of skin and ____________________________ .

•People w

ho are not able to have access to clean water are at risk for m

any water-

borne diseases that _

___________________________ living in standing w

ater.

•Som

e countries in Africa have tried to im

prove their economies by

____________________________ .

•Unfortunately, governm

ent officials often ignore the industrial wastes that are being

flushed into rivers and streams as long as the _

___________________________ .

©B

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Desertification•

The Sahel is one part of Africa that is experiencing severe problem

s with

desertification, the process of the ____________________________ into areas that

had formerly been farm

land. •

As the land is overused, the soil becom

es ____________________________ .

•The w

inds coming from

the Sahara gradually blow the dry topsoil aw

ay, leaving a barren and rocky land that loses its _

___________________________ .

Grow

ing Desert•

A m

ajority of the desertification is the result of the ____________________________ rather than clim

ate.•

Desertification in Africa is caused by:

•____________________________ practices.

•People _

___________________________ that help hold the soil in place.

•A

nimals being allow

ed to ____________________________ in an area and

stripping all of the vegetation from the soil.

•Draining the _

___________________________ for industrial & hom

e use.

Effects•

The survival needs of the people living there are clear, but they are ____________________________ of their environm

ent in the process.•

Africans w

ho have lived for generations by farming and raising grazing anim

als are finding they have _

___________________________ available to them

.•

The people who live in these areas often _

___________________________ and

poverty. •

Many m

ove into urban areas hoping to find work, but m

ost find only ____________________________ .

Solution•

Some A

fricans work hard to try to _

___________________________ , to build

windbreaks to keep out the sand, and to push the desert back w

henever they can.•

In m

any parts of Africa, this has becom

e a losing battle, as the desert claims

____________________________ .

•In recent years, the United N

ations and the World Food B

ank have ____________________________ of those living in parts of the Sahel.

•They have w

orked to ____________________________ to help the people survive and

live a better life.

©B

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Wrin

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Deforestation•

As A

frica’s population increases and nations try to develop economically,

deforestation has become a _

___________________________ .

•Deforestation is the process of _

___________________________ to m

ake way

for human developm

ent.

•The m

ain cause of deforestation in Africa’s rainforests today is

____________________________ .

•The tim

ber from the rain forest is exported all over the w

orld and helps ____________________________ of m

any African countries.

•Unfortunately, the _

___________________________ as a result.

•Tim

ber cutting businesses also need roads and heavy equipment to get the cut

____________________________ .

•These _

___________________________ m

ore of the rain forests’ natural environm

ent.

Effects•

As the num

ber of trees shrinks, so does the amount of

____________________________ .

•M

eanwhile, the am

ount of harmful _

___________________________ in the air

increases.•

Less rainforests could also mean _

___________________________ .

•____________________________ of all m

edicines people use come from

rainforest plants.

•Deforestation also _

___________________________ of species of both plants

and animals.

•Destruction of forests also contributes to soil _

___________________________

.

•M

any of the rainforests that once ran from G

uinea to Cameroon are

____________________________ .

•____________________________ its rainforests at the fastest rate.

•The United N

ations estimates that N

igeria has now

____________________________ of its original forests to logging, clearing land

for farming, and cutting trees to use as fuel.

©B

rain

Wrin

kle

s

Africa & W

ater•

Water has alw

ays been vital to Africa.

•The oceans, rivers, & seas that surround and run through A

frica have allowed

Africans to engage in trade and to have access to the outside w

orld.•

The interactions around these bodies of water have enabled certain cities to

become thriving centers of com

merce.

Limited Supply

•Countries w

ith large river systems have enough w

ater for farming and for people

in villages, towns, and cities.

•Unfortunately, the m

ajority of Africa has trouble getting enough w

ater for people to survive.

•M

ost African countries have very little clean w

ater for drinking and washing.

•Droughts (periods of very little rainfall) have hurt m

any parts of Africa.

•People w

ho live in areas affected by drought often face starvation and poverty.•

The tension between the needs of a grow

ing population and the limited supply of

water is a serious issue for m

ost of Africa.

Pollution•

Many countries in A

frica do not have enough clean water, even the ones that have

large rivers.•

African countries have the problem

of increasing pollution from factories and

contamination from

animals & hum

an waste.

•Overpopulation and poor sanitation regulations have m

ade life along Africa’s w

ater sources difficult.

•Clean w

ater is needed for basic health and sanitation.•

Lack of clean water to w

ash with increases the frequency of skin and eye

infections. •

People who are not able to have access to clean w

ater are at risk for many

water-

borne diseases that spread by parasites living in standing water.

•Som

e countries in Africa have tried to im

prove their economies by building

factories. •

Unfortunately, government officials often ignore the industrial w

astes that are being flushed into rivers and stream

s as long as the factories are profitable.

©B

rain

Wrin

kle

s

Desertification•

The Sahel is one part of Africa that is experiencing severe problem

s with

desertification, the process of the desert expanding into areas that had formerly

been farmland.

•A

s the land is overused, the soil becomes poor and pow

dery.•

The winds com

ing from the Sahara gradually blow

the dry topsoil away, leaving a

barren and rocky land that loses its ability to hold water.

Grow

ing Desert•

A m

ajority of the desertification is the result of the actions of people rather than clim

ate.•

Desertification in Africa is caused by:

•Poor farm

ing practices.•

People cutting down the trees that help hold the soil in place.

•A

nimals being allow

ed to graze too heavily in an area and stripping all of the vegetation from

the soil.•

Draining the surface & underground water for industrial & hom

e use.

Effects•

The survival needs of the people living there are clear, but they are destroying m

ajor parts of their environment in the process.

•A

fricans who have lived for generations by farm

ing and raising grazing animals

are finding they have less and less land available to them.

•The people w

ho live in these areas often face starvation and poverty. •

Many m

ove into urban areas hoping to find work, but m

ost find only more poverty.

Solution•

Some A

fricans work hard to try to replant trees, to build w

indbreaks to keep out the sand, and to push the desert back w

henever they can.•

In m

any parts of Africa, this has becom

e a losing battle, as the desert claims

more land each year.

•In recent years, the United N

ations and the World Food B

ank have come to the

aid of those living in parts of the Sahel.•

They have worked to find solutions to help the people survive and live a better

life.

©B

rain

Wrin

kle

s

Deforestation•

As A

frica’s population increases and nations try to develop economically,

deforestation has become a grow

ing concern.•

Deforestation is the process of forests being destroyed to make w

ay for human

development.

•The m

ain cause of deforestation in Africa’s rainforests today is com

mercial logging.

•The tim

ber from the rain forest is exported all over the w

orld and helps boost the economy of

many A

frican countries.•

Unfortunately, the environment is destroyed as a result.

•Tim

ber cutting businesses also need roads and heavy equipment to get the cut trees to the

cities.•

These also destroy m

ore of the rain forests’ natural environment.

Effects•

As the num

ber of trees shrinks, so does the amount of oxygen produced.

•M

eanwhile, the am

ount of harmful carbon dioxide in the air increases.

•Less rainforests could also m

ean fewer m

edicines.•

About one-

fourth of all medicines people use com

e from rainforest plants.

•Deforestation also leads to extinction of species of both plants and anim

als.•

Destruction of forests also contributes to soil erosion and desertification.

•M

any of the rainforests that once ran from G

uinea to Cameroon are already gone.

•N

igeria is losing its rainforests at the fastest rate.•

The United Nations estim

ates that Nigeria has now

lost about 55 percent of its original forests to logging, clearing land for farm

ing, and cutting trees to use as fuel.

©B

rain

Wrin

kle

s

Africa’s

Water Pollution & Unequal Distribution, Deforestation, &

Desertification

© Brain Wrinkles

© Brain Wrinkles

• Water has always been vital to Africa.

• The oceans, rivers, & seas that surround and run through Africa have allowed Africans to engage in trade and to have access to the outside world.

• The interactions around these bodies of water have enabled certain cities to become thriving centers of commerce.

© Brain Wrinkles

© Brain Wrinkles

• Countries with large river systems have enough water for farming and for people in villages, towns, and cities.

• Unfortunately, the majority of Africa has trouble getting enough water for people to survive.

• Most African countries have very little clean water for drinking and washing.

© Brain Wrinkles

© Brain Wrinkles

© Brain Wrinkles

• Droughts (periods of very little rainfall) have hurt many parts of Africa.

• People who live in areas affected by drought often face starvation and poverty.

• The tension between the needs of a growing population and the limited supply of water is a serious issue for most of Africa.

© Brain Wrinkles

© Brain Wrinkles

• Many countries in Africa do not have enough clean water, even the ones that have large rivers.

• African countries have the problem of increasing pollution from factories and contamination from animals & human waste.

• Overpopulation and poor sanitation regulations have made life along Africa’s water sources difficult.

© Brain Wrinkles

© Brain Wrinkles

• Clean water is needed for basic health and sanitation.

• Lack of clean water to wash with increases the frequency of skin and eye infections.

• People who are not able to have access to clean water are at risk for many water-borne diseases that spread by parasites living in standing water.

© Brain Wrinkles

© Brain Wrinkles

• Some countries in Africa have tried to improve their economies by building factories.

• Unfortunately, government officials often ignore the industrial wastes that are being flushed into rivers and streams as long as the factories are profitable.

© Brain Wrinkles

© Brain Wrinkles

© Brain Wrinkles

• The Sahel is one part of Africa that is experiencing severe problems with desertification, the process of the desert expanding into areas that had formerly been farmland.

• As the land is overused, the soil becomes poor and powdery.

• The winds coming from the Sahara gradually blow the dry topsoil away, leaving a barren and rocky land that loses its ability to hold water.

© Brain Wrinkles

© Brain Wrinkles

© Brain Wrinkles

• A majority of the desertification is the result of the actions of people rather than climate.

• Desertification in Africa is caused by:• Poor farming practices.• People cutting down the trees that help

hold the soil in place. • Animals being allowed to graze too heavily in

an area and stripping all of the vegetation from the soil.

• Draining the surface & underground water for industrial & home use.

© Brain Wrinkles

© Brain Wrinkles

• The survival needs of the people living there are clear, but they are destroying major parts of their environment in the process.

• Africans who have lived for generations by farming and raising grazing animals are finding they have less and less land available to them.

• The people who live in these areas often face starvation and poverty.

• Many move into urban areas hoping to find work, but most find only more poverty.

© Brain Wrinkles

© Brain Wrinkles

• Some Africans work hard to try to replant trees, to build windbreaks to keep out the sand, and to push the desert back whenever they can.

• In many parts of Africa, this has become a losing battle, as the desert claims more land each year.

© Brain Wrinkles

© Brain Wrinkles

• In recent years, the United Nations and the World Food Bank have come to the aid of those living in parts of the Sahel.

• They have worked to find solutions to help the people survive and live a better life.

© Brain Wrinkles

© Brain Wrinkles

• As Africa’s population increases and nations try to develop economically, deforestation has become a growing concern.

• Deforestation is the process of forests being destroyed to make way for human development.

© Brain Wrinkles

© Brain Wrinkles

• The main cause of deforestation in Africa’s rainforests today is commercial logging.

• The timber from the rain forest is exported all over the world and helps boost the economy of many African countries.

• Unfortunately, the environment is destroyed as a result.

© Brain Wrinkles

© Brain Wrinkles

• Timber cutting businesses also need roads and heavy equipment to get the cut trees to the cities.

• These also destroy more of the rain forests’ natural environment.

© Brain Wrinkles

© Brain Wrinkles

• As the number of trees shrinks, so does the amount of oxygen produced.• Meanwhile, the amount of harmful carbon dioxide

in the air increases.

• Less rainforests could also mean fewer medicines.• About one-fourth of all medicines people use

come from rainforest plants.

• Deforestation also leads to extinction of species of both plants and animals.

• Destruction of forests also contributes to soil erosion and desertification.

© Brain Wrinkles

© Brain Wrinkles

• Many of the rainforests that once ran from Guinea to Cameroon are already gone.

• Nigeria is losing its rainforests at the fastest rate.

• The United Nations estimates that Nigeria has now lost about 55 percent of its original forests to logging, clearing land for farming, and cutting trees to use as fuel.

© Brain Wrinkles

© Brain Wrinkles

TEACHER INFO:• Print off the following slide for each

student.

• They should complete the chart while discussing the presentation.

• Check answers as a class when finished. If time, have students color their pictures.

© Brain Wrinkles

©B

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Wrin

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s Afric

a’s Env

ironm

enta

l Issue

sD

ire

ctio

ns: C

om

ple

te th

e c

hart b

elo

w w

ith in

form

atio

n th

at y

ou le

arn d

urin

g th

e

pre

senta

tion. If tim

e a

llow

s, c

olo

r your illu

stra

tions.

Wa

ter Po

llutio

n &

Une

qu

al D

istribu

tion

PROB

LEM

EFFECTS

ILLUSTRATION

De

sertific

atio

nD

efo

resta

tion

Will vary There’s not enough clean wateravailable for many Africans to meet their basic needs

--Most African countries don’t have enough water for drinking, washing, etc.--Most of Africa has suffered from drought--Many countries suffer from pollution from factories and animal/human waste

Will vary --Less and less farmland available--People are facing starvation and poverty--Many move to urban areas to find work, but are faced with more poverty

--Desert is expanding into areas that had formerly been farmland, particularly in the Sahel region--Caused by poor farming practices, overgrazing, cutting down too many trees, draining surface & underground water for industrial use

Will vary Increased carbon dioxide, fewermedicines available, extinction of plants and animals, soil erosion, desertification

--main cause of deforestation in Africa’s rainforests today is commercial logging.--Deforestation is the process of forests being destroyed to make way for human development.

©B

rain

Wrin

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s

Afric

a’s Env

ironm

enta

l Issue

s KEY

Dir

ectio

ns: C

om

ple

te th

e c

hart b

elo

w w

ith in

form

atio

n th

at y

ou le

arn d

urin

g th

e

pre

senta

tion. If tim

e a

llow

s, c

olo

r your illu

stra

tions.

Wa

ter Po

llutio

n &

Une

qu

al D

istribu

tion

PROB

LEM

EFFECTS

ILLUSTRATION

De

sertific

atio

nD

efo

resta

tion

TEACHER INFO: Political Cartoon Analysis

• Print off the Political Cartoon Analysis sheet for each student.

• Project the slides with two political cartoons onto the board (or print off several copies for students to share).

• Students should choose one of the cartoons and complete the analysis for it.

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Directions: Spend some time analyzing the political cartoon, then answer the questions below.

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Describe what you see in the cartoon. List the objects/people.

Which of the objects are symbols? What do you think each symbol means?

Describe the action taking place in the cartoon: Explain the message of the cartoon:

Who would agree with the cartoon’s message? Why?

Who would disagree with the cartoon’s message? Why?

© Brain Wrinkles

1

© Brain Wrinkles

2

© Brain Wrinkles

3

TEACHER INFO: Design A Shirt• Print off the Design A Shirt page for each student.

• Students should design a t-shirt that will convince others to help solve one of Africa’s environmental issues.

• On the front -- Create a slogan for the shirt. (This needs to be a thoughtful message or statement that describes the environmental issue and how it can be solved.) Draw a colorful visual for the shirt.

• On the back -- write a paragraph to describe the environmental issue and your ideas for how it can be solved.

© Brain Wrinkles

Directions: Design a t-shirt that will convince others to help solve one of Africa’s environmental issues. On the front -- Create a slogan for the shirt. (This needs to be a thoughtful message or statement that describes the environmental issue and how it can be solved.) Draw a colorful visual for the shirt. On the back -- write a paragraph to describe the environmental issue and your ideas for how it can be solved.

Design A T-Shirt

Front Back

© Brain Wrinkles

TEACHER INFO: Comprehension Check• Print off the Comprehension Check handout

for each student. (Print front-to-back to save paper.)

• Students will complete the assignment after discussing the presentation. This can also be used as a quiz!

© Brain Wrinkles

1.

What w

ater problems do m

any African nations face?

2. What is a drought?

3. Why do som

e governments ignore industrial pollution of m

ajor rivers?

4. W

hat is one part of Africa that is experiencing m

ajor problems w

ith desertification?

5. What are the m

ain causes of desertification in Africa?

6. What is life like for A

fricans who are forced to leave their farm

s for m

ajor cities?

7. What is the m

ain cause of deforestation in Africa today?

8. What causes the am

ount of carbon dioxide in the air to increase?

9. Which A

frican country is losing its rainforest the fastest?

©B

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Wrin

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1.

What w

ater problems do m

any African nations face?

Most A

frican countries don’t have enough water for drinking, w

ashing, etc.; m

any countries suffer from pollution from

factories and anim

al/human w

aste2. W

hat is a drought?Periods of very little rainfall3. W

hy do some governm

ents ignore industrial pollution of major

rivers?$4. W

hat is one part of Africa that is experiencing m

ajor problems w

ith desertification?Sahel5. W

hat are the main causes of desertification in A

frica?Poor farm

ing practices, overgrazing, cutting down too m

any trees, draining surface & underground w

ater for industrial use6. W

hat is life like for Africans w

ho are forced to leave their farms for

major cities?

Still live in poverty7. W

hat is the main cause of deforestation in A

frica today?Com

mercial logging

8. What causes the am

ount of carbon dioxide in the air to increase?Cutting dow

n trees causes amount of oxygen produced to shrink

9. Which A

frican country is losing its rainforest the fastest?N

igeria

©B

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Wrin

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s

TEACHER INFO: TICKET OUT THE DOOR

• Have students create 3 emoticon symbols to represent each topic from today’s lesson (water, desertification, deforestation).

• On the back of the slip, students will write a brief description of each emoji and how it is significant to the topic.

© Brain Wrinkles

Create 3 emoticons to depict each topic from today’s lesson. On the back of this slip, describe

the importance of each emoji.

© Brain Wrinkles © Brain Wrinkles

Name: Name:

Create 3 emoticons to depict each topic from today’s lesson. On the back of this slip, describe

the importance of each emoji.

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If you like this file, you might want to check out some of my other products that teach social studies topics in creative, engaging, and hands-on ways.

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Ansley at Brain Wrinkles

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