African American Voices Lesson Plans

Lesson Plan: The African and Chinese Presence in America Before Columbus American History, World History 9, 11 II.1, II.11 Historical Awareness: Native American Civilizations prior to The European Age of Exploration (American History), I.1 Geographic Understanding: Early civilizations in the Americas II.5 Historical Awareness: Native American Civilizations prior to The European Age of Exploration (World History) The students will explore the possibilities that the Americas were visited by African peoples and other non-Europeans prior to the age of Columbus. The student will write persuasive letters to history book publishers in relation to becoming more inclusive of other cultures stories in relation to world exploration. The students will accomplish the following: Materials: Multimedia: Internet Handouts of articles from BBC News (from web site). Map with European explorers Images of the Olmec civilization from websites Testimony from among the Cherokees of Muslim influence before the age of Columbus available from websites Develop sensitivity for various perspectives. Understand historical documents. Handle controversial topics responsibly and fairly. Subject: Grade: CBC Connection:

Description/ Abstract of Lesson:

Objective(s):

Duration: Lesson Lead In/ Opening:

1-2 class periods 1. As students walk into the class, direct them to a map posted on a classroom wall outlining European explorations of the world. (NOTE: If you do not have access to such a map, instead either print out or display on your smart board an on-line map lesson of European explorations available at http://users.rcn.com/farrands/explorers.htm) 2. Ask the students questions such as Whats wrong with this map? or Whats wrong with the argument that Columbus and other Europeans discovered different parts of America? Engage in discussion. 3. Emphasize that the indigenous peoples of the Americas were here

many thousands of years before Europeans. 4. Discuss the possibility of other peoples exploring America and interacting with the indigenous peoples before the age of Columbus. Explain how the history of world explorations by non-Europeans is usually omitted in history textbooks. Activity 1: 1. Have the students read the BBC articles on the travels of Abubakari II of Mali and Zheng He of China: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1068950.stm, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4609074.stm

2. Discuss the articles with the class. Highlight major details. 3. Read to the class about other accounts of foreign peoples possibly interacting with Native Americans (i.e. The Egyptians, Vikings, Arabs): http://www.cwo.com/~lucumi/america.html, http://members.aol.com/carltred/AfricanPresence.htm, http://www.strangehorizons.com/2001/20010827/vikings.shtml http://www.themodernreligion.com/ht/before-columbus.html 4. After discussing the accounts, assign the students to write a persuasive letter to the publishing company of the class text book seeking better coverage of non-European explorations of America (and the world). 5. Have the students share their letters with the rest of the class. 6. After correcting rough drafts of the letters, have the students write professional versions of the letters to be mailed off to the publisher. Assessment: Teacher observation and evaluation of student letters/reports. Check for historical accuracy as an indicator of comprehension.

Higher Order Thinking Questions:

1. If you were to visit a foreign land that you did not know existed and found people living there, have you really discovered that place? 2. Why do you suppose history book publishers omit the possibility that non-Europeans traveled to America before the age of Columbus? 3. If the Chinese did not create maps corresponding to their travels, would the argument of them arriving in America before Columbus still seem credible? 4. What peoples do the Olmec statue heads most likely represents? How can you tell?

Suggested Books In Lesson:

Sertima, I. V. (1976) They Came Before Columbus: The African Presence in Ancient America, Random House. Sertima, I. V. (1998) Early America Revisited, Transaction Publishers.

Sertima, I. V. (1999) African Presence in Early America, Transaction Publishers Menzies, G. (2004) 1421: The Year China Discovered America, Harper Perennial

Web Resources:

African Presence in America Before Columbus http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1068950.stm http://www.cwo.com/~lucumi/america.html http://members.aol.com/carltred/AfricanPresence.htm

Muslim Presence in America Before Columbus http://www.themodernreligion.com/ht/before-columbus.html http://www.islam101.com/history/cherokee.htm

Chinese Presence in America Before Columbus http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4609074.stm http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1463612.cms http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=907602 http://english.cri.cn/1641/2006/01/17/65@43816.htm http://ezinearticles.com/?Buddhist-Monks-Discovered-America-Before-Columbus&id=310024

Viking Presence in America Before Columbus http://www.strangehorizons.com/2001/20010827/vikings.shtml Maps of European Explorations http://users.rcn.com/farrands/explorers.htm