SHS1 Social Studies · Semester 1, Week 20
Civilisations of Africa
Lesson notes
Learning Objectives
Indicator: 1.5.3.LI.1 - Discuss the common features of ancient African civilisations
By the end of the lesson, learners can:
- Identify at least five common features shared by ancient African civilisations across political, social, economic, intellectual, and religious domains.
- Explain how political power was organised in ancient African civilisations, including centralisation, divine kingship, bureaucracy, councils of elders, and military structures.
- Describe the social, economic, and intellectual features such as social hierarchies, communal bonds, agricultural techniques, craft specialisation, writing systems, and calendar development.
- Discuss the arts, architectural, and religious features of ancient African civilisations, including belief systems, pyramids, obelisks, and paintings.
- Evaluate how common features of ancient African civilisations are reflected in contemporary Ghanaian and African societies.
Sign in with your phone number to read the full note and download the GES plan - free.
Sign in with phone numberCurriculum details
- Strand
- Ethics and Human Development (Strand 5)
- Sub-strand
- Civilisations of Africa (5.3)
- Content standard
- 1.5.3.CS.1 - Demonstrate understanding of the common features of Ancient African civilisations 1.5.3.LO.1 Use historical sources to analyse the common features of Ancient African civilisations Trace the origins, rise and fall of empires in Western Sudan using historical sources
- Indicator
- 1.5.3.LI.1 - Discuss the common features of ancient African civilisations
- Suggested placement
-
Semester 1, Week 20
(Week 20 of the year)
Our suggestion, laid out in curriculum order across three terms of twelve weeks. NaCCA does not fix the week, so follow your school's scheme of learning.
- Curriculum reference
- NaCCA curriculum document, p. 37
Exemplars (from the NaCCA curriculum)
Collaborative learning: - In small groups, learners discuss common political features of ancient African civilisations, e.g., centralisation of political power, divine status of kings, bureaucracy, council of elders, military base - Learners form concentric circles to discuss common social features of ancient African civilisations, e.g., the existence of complex social hierarchies, strong communal bonds Experiential learning: - Learners watch and discuss documentaries on common economic systems of ancient African civilisations, e.g., unique agricultural techniques, diversified economies, and craft specialisation - In small groups, learners observe pictures and watch documentaries on common intellectual and scientific advancements of ancient African civilisations, e.g., development of writing skills, calendar system, record keeping, preserving bodies (mummification), invention of the Shaduf - Learners embark on Virtual Field Trips (VFTs) and discuss common arts, architectural and religious features of ancient African civilisations, e.g., belief systems, construction of pyramids and obelisks, paintings NB: Teachers describe scenes of documentaries and pictures on the common features of African civilisation to learners with visual and hearing impairment Collaborative learning: In mixed-ability groups, learners analyse how common features from ancient civilisations might have influenced or are reflected in contemporary African societies and cultures Teaching and Learning Resources: - Ancient map of Africa showing the - Western Sudanese States - Internet access - A chronological timeline showing the origins of the Western - Sudanese States - Primary sources on the emergence of the Western Sudanese States - Virtual Field Trips (VFTs), on arts, architectural and religious features of ancient African civilisations - Stationery Assessment (1.5.3.AS.1). The document marks no depth-of-knowledge level for this indicator.