Grade 7 Lesson at a Glance: Chapter 5, Lesson 3

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies
Across the Centuries

Lesson at a Glance
Chapter 5, Lesson 3: The Empires of Mali and Songhai (pp. 118-122)

The Big Idea
Framework Concept: Diversity After the fall of Ghana, the valuable salt and gold trade led to the establishment of two even larger and wealthier empires in West Africa, Mali and Songhai.

Write the words "Advantages" and "Disadvantages" on the board. Then discuss with students the benefits of and challenges to living in a thriving trading empire. List students' ideas on the board in the appropriate columns. Then ask students what troubles a leader might face in protecting the wealth of the country. How could a leader settle disputes between traders and local people of diverse beliefs without causing revolts?

Lesson Outline
Use the Lesson Outline to preview the content of the lesson. You may wish to print it for your students as a guide during reading.

Check for Understanding

Have students keep a travel diary as they journey with Mansa Musa to Mecca. Narratives should describe what life would have been like then, and include something about Islamic belief.
Ask students to draw a series of cartoon panels, telling the story of Sundiata's victory at the Battle of Kirina or perhaps Askia Muhammad's reestablishment of an Islamic state in Songhai.

Social Studies Center | Houghton Mifflin Social Studies | Grade 7 Home
Education Place | Site Index

You may download, print, and make copies of Lesson at a Glance pages for use in your classroom, provided that you include the copyright notice shown below on all such copies.