What was life like in Mansa Musa's Mali?

“My purpose is to engage students in dialogue so they can see other’s points of view – in a world that needs this more than ever. I do this by sharing lessons on this site which connect students with the past and inspire critical thinking. Please read below to find details about this one.” Dan

This lesson is titled “What was life like in Mansa Musa’s Mali?”

In this lesson’s starter activity students are asked to answer a series of true of false questions to challenge assumptions on what Africa was like before the transatlantic slave trade. Students are then provided with background information (6 slides) about Mansa Mula’s Mali and are given a list of key events. The main activity is that students are asked to use this information to create an Instagram style storyboard to narrow this down to the key events of his reign (3 examples are given). They are then cold called to explain their creations and take part in a thinking thumbs activity to answer the Key Question. The lesson concludes with a Have I Got News For You style plenary to test knowledge learned. I hope your students enjoy this lesson as much as mine. This lesson is pitched at high school students but could work with slightly younger children too.

And before you leave be sure to follow Dan’s History Highway for more info on hundreds of fully-resourced lessons for busy teachers!

Wishing you a terrific day.