District/School Administration PK-16 Program Support Educational Technology
Technology Toolkit

Africa
Manchester-Essex Regional School District

Learning Standards

Learning standards addressed

Massachusetts History and Social Science Curriculum Framework

Africa
Grade 6 Learning Standards
A.1 On a map of the world, locate the continent of Africa, the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Great Rift Valley. On a map of Africa, locate the northern, eastern, western, central, and southern regions of Africa, the Sahara Desert, the Nile River, Lake Victoria, Mount Kilimanjaro, and the Cape of Good Hope. (G)
A.2 Use a map key to locate countries and major cities in Africa. (G, E)
A.3 Explain how the following five factors have influenced settlement and the economies of major African regions and countries. (G, E)

A. absolute and relative locations      
B. climate
C. major physical characteristics
D. major natural resources
E. population size

A.5 Identify when modern African countries became independent nations and explain how independence was achieved. (H, G)

Economics
Grade 6 Concepts and Skills
10. Provide examples of currencies from several countries and explain why international trade requires a system for exchanging currency between nations. (E)
11. Give examples of products that are traded among nations, and examples of barriers to trade in these or other products. (E)
15. Compare the standard of living in various countries today using gross domestic product per capita as an indicator. (E)

Technology performance indicators addressed

Massachusetts Recommended PreK-12 Instructional Technology Standards (2001)

Standard 1. Demonstrate proficiency in the use of computers and applications as well as an understanding of concepts underlying hardware, software, and connectivity.
1.18 Insert images (e.g., graphics, clip art, tables) from other files into word-processed document.
Grades 5-8
1.22 Describe structure and function of spreadsheet (e.g., cells, rows, columns, formulas) and apply formatting features.
1.28 Copy an image from a Web site into a file on the desktop; write a correct citation caption in keeping with copyright law.
1.32 Create a slide presentation using appropriate applications.

Standard 3. Demonstrate ability to use technology for research, problem-solving, and communication. Students locate, evaluate, collect, and process information from a variety of electronic sources. Students use telecommunications and other media to interact or collaborate with peers, experts, and other audiences.
3.6 In keeping with the research process outlined in Standard 24 of the English Language Arts Curriculum Framework, identify electronic sources of information (e.g., Internet, CD-ROM, online periodical databases, and online catalogs).
3.7 Use search engines effectively to find relevant, unbiased, and current information on a subject. (Standard 2 performance indicators apply-i.e., evaluate Web sites and write correct citations for sources.)
3.8 Organize information that is collected using a variety of tools (e.g., spreadsheet, database, saved files).
3.9 Communicate results of research and learning with others using the most appropriate tools (e.g., desktop-published or word-processed report, multimedia presentation).

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