Introduction: Physical maps illustrate landform regions, vegetation patterns, and climatic zones. Because of its location and size, the unique African continent has a variety landforms, a wide range of vegetation patterns, and most of the climatic zones. The variety in the physical landscape of Africa is a result of physical changes over geological time. In this lesson, students will use geographic skills to create a physical map of Africa.

Teaching Level: Adaptable 2-12

Connection to National Geography Standards: The geographically informed person knows and understands:

#1 How to use maps and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies to acquire, process, and report information from a spatial perspective

#2 How to use mental maps to organize information about people, places, and environments in a spatial context

#3 How to analyze the spatial organization of people, places, and environments on Earth's surface

#7 The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface

#8 The characteristics and spatial distribution of ecosystems on Earth's surface

Objectives: Students will be able to:

• use geographic information to make an outline map of Africa
• demonstrate their understanding of the physical landscape of Africa by using a variety of materials to create a physical map of Africa
• explain the relationship between landform regions, vegetation patterns, and climatic zones

Materials:

• Poster paper
• Various textured materials (be creative)
• Magazines that can have pictures torn out of them
• Felt tip markers, color pencils, crayons
• Scissors
• Glue

Introducing the Lesson: Ask students to describe the physical landscape of Africa. What is the topography like? What climatic zones cover Africa? How would you describe the vegetation of Africa? Record students' responses on the chalkboard so they can be referred to. Tell students that they will create a physical map of Africa.

Procedure:

• Form cooperative learning teams and ask students to imagine they are flying over the continent of Africa. Ask them: What do you see? How would you illustrate this on a map?
• Give each group a piece of poster paper.
• Students should begin the activity by drawing an outline map of Africa including a title, compass rose, and scale. They should also leave a space that they can use later to include a box with symbols. Each group should create a physical map of Africa using a variety of materials to represent the physical landscape of Africa.
• When the maps are completed, students should write a summary explaining the relationship of landform regions, vegetation patterns, and climatic zones.
• The maps can be displayed on the classroom walls. If students have made climographs for African cities they can post them along side the maps. Use yarn or string to point the climographs to the city locations on the physical map.
• Student teams can explain the information provided on their maps to the rest of the class.

Assessment: Team members should demonstrate the ability to work together cooperatively for the best possible results. Student maps should be creative, detailed, well organized, and accurate. Both the written and verbal explanations should be clearly defined.