Africa Unit Resources
In the Africa Unit (found here), I mention several resources. Amazon Links to those resources can be found here. Additionally, your library can be a great resource to find many of the books mentioned. If you get only 5 books I would recommend: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Nelson Mandela’s Favorite African Folktales, The Story Teller, Uncommon Travler: Mary Kingsley in Africa, and Anansi the spider. Most of the resources listed in the unit you should have around your house or are shipped with the unit. The only item not listed here with a link that you may not have at home is a 5 gallon bucket, they are least expensive at home depot.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William KamKwamba
This book is the main text of the unit. It is an incredible story of a boy in rural Malawi who overcame famine and poverty to invent a windmill that provided his family with energy and income. It gives a view of what Africa is like in rural communities at the cross section of tradition and modernization. It looks at the food and life style of Malawian people, politics of developing countries, and the resiliency of spirit in a young man. An absolute must read!
Nelson Mandela’s Favorite African Folktales
This is simply the best collection of traditional African Folktales. Beautifully told with a map at the front that shows you were each tale comes from you learn the traditional values and wisdom from many African Cultures.
Galimoto by Karen Lynn Williams
A fun story about a boy collecting materials to make a special toy. It is used with an activity in one of the last lessons in the unit.
More Books
Uncommon Traveler: Mary Kingsley in Africa by Don Brown
This book playfully illustrates the many adventures of a brave young woman who went to document fish in the rivers of the Jungles of Africa in the late 1800’s. I absolutely adore Mary Kingsley and was tickled to find the biographical story about her written for kids.
Who was Jane Goodall? By Roberta Edwards
As all of the biography books in the “Who was…?” series this book is packed with information about the life of Jane Goodall written at the level of an upper elementary student. A great introduction to an extraordinary life.
The Tree of Life: The World of the African Baobab by Barbara Bash
This book talks about the importance of the Baobab tree to the people an ecosystems of the Savanna starting with some of the interesting folktales around where the tree came from. It gives a real picture of the Savanna.
The Spider Weaver by Margaret Musgrove
This book tells the traditional story of the origins of the Kente Cloth from the perspective of the people who invented it. It is recapped in the unit but this book is the full story with pictures.
Only The Mountains do not Move: A Maasai STORY of Culture and Conservation by Jen Reynolds
Beautiful imagery of the life of the Maassai shows their homes, clothing, and habits of daily life as well as a celebration of their culture and beliefs a great snapshot of these incredible people.
Seeds of Change: Wangari’s Gift to the world by Jen cullerton Johnson
This woman changed her community forever with her love of agriculture. A beautifully illustrated biography of an incredible and accomplished woman who fought back against desertification through deforestation with education and trees. He is a powerhouse example for young girls and boys alike.
The Story Teller by Evan Turk
This book as a favorite library find of mine. You know those unexpected treasures you stumble upon with the armloads of books your kids convince you to check out? This one is truly a magical story that transports you in time to a mystical place of wonder. Absolutely captivating. It is my top pick for introducing northern Africa. Particularly Morocco. So worth the money.
Anansi the spider by Gerald McDermott
A wonder introduction to Anansi a intriguing character from West Africa Folklore. Truly a fun read aloud that leads to great discussions.
Other Resources for the Unit
Rope
It really can be any rope but I’ve found that kids respond well to a nice thick heavy rope and it tends to hold up better over time. Rope is used in many different continent studies for different uses. For example: In the Antarctica Unit it is used to tie kids together during a snow blizzard simulation, in the Africa unit it is used for tug of war, in the Oceania unit it is used for knot tying, and in the South America unit it is used in a rain forest adventure.
Pony Beads
You can get these at any craft store. If you have a coupon at JoAnn’s they are cheaper there but you’ll want to get a variety of colors.
Pinwheels
In the spring (usually around Easter) you should have no trouble finding these on the cheap. Off season here is a link for the pinwheels used in two activities in the unit. You can also make them fairly easily. Instructions on how to make your own pinwheel can be found here.
Mancala
This game is used in one of the later lessons in the unit. You can make it yourself by digging holes in the ground and finding rocks or using an empty milk carton, two bowls and buttons you have around the house but it is a fun game and a small investment to get a nice wood one like this.
More Books
One Small Square African Savanna; Non-fiction for Mid Elementary
A Cool Drink of Water; Photo book for Water Crisis Lessons
Africa: A True book; Non-fiction for Early Elementary
Ashanti to Zulu African Traditions; BEAUTIFUL book full of African History for Older Elementary
Mama Panya’s Pancakes; A sweet story about community for all ages
Bringing The Rain to the Kapiti Plain; Rhythmic picture book for Preschool
Why the Sky is Far Away; another illustrated African Folktale for all ages
The Water Princess; An expressive picture book for the water crisis lessons