Materials

• Pictures and/or slides of physical features in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Climate map of Sub-Saharan Africa
• Unlabeled outline maps of Sub-Saharan Africa

Instructional Activities

1. Review content from the previous session.
   
   
2. Review the maps students completed in session 1 on the major physical features of Sub-Saharan Africa. Discuss the following terms or physical features with the students, and point out examples of them on maps and through pictures or slides:
   • plateau
   • escarpment
   • equator
   
   
3. Illustrate, using maps, how river transportation is impeded by waterfalls and rapids in the region.
   
   
4. Distribute an unlabeled outline map of the African continent, and instruct students to annotate the map with the location of the equator and to identify the different climate regions that exist north and south of the equator. Ask, “Are the climates found north and south of the equator similar or different?”
   
   
5. Using a physical map of Africa, point out the smooth coastlines and lack of harbors. Ask, “Is such a coastline a positive or a negative for the economy of a country?”
   
   
6. Instruct students to shade on their outline map the landlocked countries of Sub-Saharan Africa. Have them write a brief paragraph explaining the challenges that result from being a landlocked country.
   
   
7. Identify the major mineral resources that are located in Sub-Saharan Africa.
   
   
8. Display a map of Africa showing the location of the tropical rain forest, then discuss why it is not well-suited to agriculture.
   
   
9. Assign a teacher-selected reading, worksheet, or other reinforcement activity, using available teacher resources.