Nigeria Lesson Plan

by Dr. Kay E. Weller - University of Northern Iowa

INQUIRY QUESTION:

What are the characteristics and spatial distributions of ecosystems in Nigeria?

OBJECTIVES:

The student will compare and contrast maps of Africa showing climates, vegetation, and precipitation and analyze them as they relate to Nigeria in a 1 page essay.

The student will search the Internet (or library) for information regarding desertification locating the region of Africa where desertification is an environmental issue on a blank map.

The student will define desertification in one paragraph, and explain what two human processes cause it. (overgrazing and overplowing/mismanagement)

The student will research the internet or library about Fulani herders in Nigeria and how they help prevent desertification through migration from Northern Nigeria to Southern Nigeria and back.

The student will will write a fiction story about a young Fulani herder (age10-13) and his adventures as he grazes his herd.

GRADE LEVEL:

7-12

STANDARDS:

Standard 3: How to analyze the spatial organization of people, places, and environments on Earth’s surface.
Standard 8: The characteristics and spatial distribution of ecosystems on Earth’s surface.

GOAL:

To learn about the characteristics and spatial distributions of desertification in Africa and specifically Nigeria.

MATERIALS:

Atlases showing vegetation, precipitation, and climates of Africa, blank maps of Africa
Searching Netscape there are over 2000 web pages when searching desertification Nigeria. You may choose some you particularly like or try the following: httpo:www.clas.ufl.edu/users/bmcdade/GroupDar/Desertindex.htm

ACTIVITY:

2-4 days needed for completion

PROCEDURES:

1. Pass out maps (atlases) of Africa showing climates, vegetation, and precipitation.
2. Have students write a one-page essay analyzing the relationship between the phenomena on the three maps.
3. Students should search the internet or in the library for information about desertification. They should then identify where in Africa it is an environmental issue and generate a map locating the area now under threat from desertification (Sahel).
4. Student should define the word, and explain in a one-page essay what two human processes can cause it. (Overgrazing and overplowing/mismanagement)
5. Have students research and learn about Fulani herders and how they migrate from Northern Nigeria to Southern Nigeria and back so that they do not overgraze the region.
6. Students should then write a fiction story featuring a young Fulani herder aged 10-13 and his adventures while herding cattle.

Story should include the following:
a. Title
b. Male herder
c. Information about the physical and human characteristics of Nigeria as he proceeded on his herding migration.
d. Explain how seasonal movement of livestock (transhumance) can help prevent desertification in Nigeria.
e. Illustrations and maps showing where the herder migrated.

ASSESSMENT:

Essays, map, and fiction story.