Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Understand the geographical position of Africa: The teacher should present to the students the location of the African continent on the globe, highlighting its extension and its position in relation to other continents. This can be done through maps, globes, and satellite images.

2. Identify and describe the physical characteristics of Africa: The teacher should assist the students in identifying the main physical characteristics of the African continent, such as plains, plateaus, mountains, deserts, and rivers. Students should be able to describe each of these characteristics and understand how they influence the climate and vegetation of the continent.

3. Analyze the cultural and ethnic diversity of Africa: The teacher should guide the students to analyze the cultural and ethnic diversity of Africa, highlighting the presence of different ethnic groups and languages on the continent. Students should be encouraged to reflect on the importance of cultural and ethnic diversity and on the challenges and benefits of living in a multicultural society.

Secondary Objectives:

• Promote critical thinking: The teacher should encourage students to think critically about Africa, questioning common stereotypes and prejudices and valuing the diversity and richness of the continent.

• Develop research skills: Students should be guided to research about Africa before class, in order to enrich their understanding of the continent and facilitate the discussion in the classroom. During the class, students should also be encouraged to seek complementary information, using various sources such as books, the internet, and documentaries.

Introduction (10 - 15 minutes)

1. Review of related contents: The teacher should start the class by reminding students of previous concepts that are important for understanding the current topic. At this moment, concepts such as the definition of a continent, the notion of geographical location, and the common physical characteristics of all continents can be reviewed. This can be done through questions directed at the students, stimulating active participation and reflection on the topic.

2. Problem situations: The teacher can propose two situations that stimulate students' critical thinking and encourage them to seek answers during the class. The first situation could be: "Why is Africa often portrayed as a poor and backward continent in the media?". The second situation could be: "How does the ethnic and cultural diversity of Africa influence the lives of people living on the continent?".

3. Contextualization: The teacher should contextualize the importance of studying Africa, explaining that the continent is the cradle of humanity and that its history, culture, and geography have a direct influence on the formation of global society. In addition, the economic importance of Africa can be highlighted, as it is rich in natural resources and has a growing role in the world economy.

4. Capturing students' attention: To arouse students' interest, the teacher can share curiosities and interesting facts about Africa. For example, the teacher can mention that Africa is the second most populous continent in the world, with over 1.3 billion inhabitants, and that the continent is known for hosting the greatest diversity of ethnic groups, languages, and cultures in the world. Additionally, the teacher can mention that Africa is the only continent cut in half by the Equator and that Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, has snow on its peak, even though it is near the Equator.

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

1. Practical Activity: Building a Clay Map of Africa (10 - 12 minutes)

   • Materials needed: Clay of different colors, printed or drawn map of Africa on cardboard paper, pencils, ruler.

   • Step by step:

     1. Divide the classroom into groups of 4 to 5 students.

     2. Distribute the clay, the map of Africa, and the other necessary materials to each group.

     3. Ask the students to cover the map with clay, shaping it according to the continent's form.

     4. Then, the students should use the ruler and pencil to mark the main physical characteristics of Africa, such as rivers, deserts, mountains, among others. Each characteristic should be marked with a different color of clay for easier visualization.

     5. After completing the map, the students should present it to the class, explaining the marked physical characteristics and the colors used.

2. Research Activity: Culture and Languages of Africa (10 - 12 minutes)

   • Materials needed: Internet access, books or magazines about African geography and culture.

   • Step by step:

     1. Still in groups, students should choose a specific African country to research. Each group should choose a different country to encompass the cultural diversity of the continent.

     2. Students should search for information about the culture and languages of that country, answering questions such as: "What are the main ethnic groups in this country?", "What languages are spoken?", "What are the main traditions and festivities?".

     3. After the research, each group should prepare a brief presentation to share the information with the class. The presentation may include the display of images, videos, music, or the demonstration of words and phrases in an African language.

3. Discussion Activity: Challenges and Potentials of Africa (5 - 7 minutes)

   • Materials needed: Blackboard or paper for notes.

   • Step by step:

     1. After the presentations, the teacher should lead a discussion with the class about the challenges and potentials of Africa. The idea is for students to apply the knowledge acquired during the class and activities to reflect on issues such as poverty, conflicts, economic development, environmental preservation, among others.

     2. During the discussion, the teacher should write down the main ideas on the blackboard or on paper, in order to systematize the students' thinking and facilitate the review of the content.

Return (10 - 12 minutes)

1. Group Discussion (5 - 7 minutes)

   • The teacher should gather the class and promote a group discussion about the solutions or conclusions reached by each group during the activities of building the clay map and researching the culture and languages of Africa.

   • The teacher should encourage students to share their observations, difficulties encountered, discoveries, and new questions that arose during the activities.

   • During the discussion, the teacher should ask questions that stimulate students' reflection and connection with the theoretical content presented at the beginning of the class. For example, the teacher can ask: "How do the physical characteristics of Africa that we marked on the clay map influence the distribution of the population and the economy of the continent?", "How does the cultural and ethnic diversity of Africa reflect on the languages and traditions of the country you researched?".

   • The teacher should also ensure that all students have the opportunity to participate in the discussion, valuing different contributions and encouraging an environment of respect and cooperation.

2. Connection with Theory (2 - 3 minutes)

   • After the discussion, the teacher should briefly review the main theoretical concepts covered in the class, connecting them with the students' observations and conclusions.

   • For example, the teacher can emphasize the importance of Africa's geographical location for its physical characteristics and for its cultural and ethnic diversity.

   • The teacher should also reinforce the idea that Africa is not a homogeneous continent, but rather a continent with a great diversity of peoples, cultures, languages, and traditions, and that this diversity is one of its main riches.

3. Final Reflection (3 - 5 minutes)

   • To conclude the class, the teacher should propose that students reflect individually on what they have learned.

   • The teacher can ask questions such as: "What was the most important concept you learned today?", "What questions have not been answered yet?", "How can you apply what you have learned about Africa in your daily life?".

   • Students should be encouraged to freely express their ideas and feelings, and the teacher should be open to listening to their opinions and doubts.

   • If deemed appropriate, the teacher may ask students to write down their answers in a notebook or on a piece of paper, so they can review them later and see the evolution of their learning.

4. Teacher's Feedback (1 - 2 minutes)

   • At the end of the class, the teacher should provide feedback to the students, highlighting the positive points and areas that need improvement.

   • The teacher should value the students' effort and participation, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, research, reflection, and critical thinking.

   • The teacher should also reinforce the relevance of the studied topic, explaining how knowledge about Africa can contribute to the formation of more conscious and respectful citizens of cultural and ethnic diversity.

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Summary and Recapitulation (2 - 3 minutes)

   • The teacher should summarize the main points discussed during the class, reinforcing the physical characteristics of Africa, the cultural and ethnic diversity of the continent, and the importance of questioning common stereotypes and prejudices about Africa.
   • The teacher should recap the activities carried out, highlighting the learnings obtained through the construction of the clay map and the research on the culture and languages of Africa.
   • The teacher should make connections between theory and practice, showing how the activities helped solidify the understanding of theoretical concepts.

2. Connection with Practice and the Real World (1 - 2 minutes)

   • The teacher should explain how the knowledge acquired in the class can be applied in the students' daily lives. For example, understanding the cultural diversity of Africa can help students appreciate the diversity present in their own community.
   • The teacher should also emphasize the relevance of the topic to the real world, explaining that understanding Africa is fundamental for the formation of globalized citizens aware of the existing inequalities and injustices in the world.

3. Additional Materials (1 minute)

   • The teacher should suggest additional study materials for students who wish to deepen their knowledge about Africa. These materials may include books, documentaries, websites, and educational games.
   • Some examples of materials that can be suggested are: "Africa: An Introduction to History, Culture, and Society" by Toyin Falola and Tyler Fleming, the documentary "Africa" from the BBC series "Planet Earth", the website "Africa.com" which offers a wide range of information about Africa, and the educational game "Geography of Africa" from National Geographic.

4. Importance of the Subject (1 - 2 minutes)

   • Finally, the teacher should reiterate the importance of the subject for the school curriculum and for the students' lives.
   • The teacher should explain that the study of Africa is not just content to be memorized, but an opportunity to develop critical thinking skills, understanding and appreciation of diversity, and reflection on global issues.
   • The teacher should encourage students to continue exploring the topic and to apply what they have learned not only in school but also in their daily lives and in their relationships with the world.