Medieval Africa - Western Kingdoms - Benin

African Beginnings by James Haskins and Kathleen Benson, and Floyd Cooper

Benin: Lords of the River by Philip Koslow

Discussion: 

Geography and climate of Kingdom of Benin

Natural resources (bronze, spices, ivory, slaves)

Colonialism and the beginning of the slave trade (decline of Benin)

Activity: 

History journal

Map study

Picture study (Benin...) 

Medieval Africa - Western Kingdoms - Songhay

African Beginnings by James Haskins and Kathleen Benson, and Floyd Cooper

Songhay: The Empire Builders by Philip Koslow

The Royal Kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhay: Life in Medieval Africa by Patricia and Fredrick McKissack

Discussion: 

Extent of Kingdom of Songhay, inheritance from Mali

Warfare, expanding Songhay influence throughout Western Africa

Colonialism and decline

Activity: 

History journal

Map study

Picture study (The Royal Kingdoms... and Songhay...) 

Medieval Africa - Western Kingdoms - Mali

African Beginnings by James Haskins and Kathleen Benson, and Floyd Cooper

The Royal Kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhay: Life in Medieval Africa by Patricia and Fredrick McKissack

Discussion: 

Extent of Kingdom of Mali, inheritance from Ghana

Timbuktu, Social structures and rituals, art

Decline

Activity: 

History journal

Map study

Picture study (The Royal Kingdoms...) 

Medieval Africa - Western Kingdoms - Geography and Review

African Beginnings by James Haskins and Kathleen Benson, and Floyd Cooper

Discussion:
Climate, geography, natural resources (gold, salt)
Early West African kingdoms - Jenne-jeno
Ghanaian foundation mythology - review of Dinga Cisse

Activity:
History journal
Map study - Niger River, Jenne-jeno, Kingdom of Ghana