Africa (Dodson, Lawrence, McMurray, Simpson 8th Grade): Mr. Simpson's Assignment

Mr. Simpson

8^th Cultural Geography

Unit Seven - Africa Project

You will complete a report on the country you have chosen.  Be careful to follow all directions!  Your report should be typed (double space).  Your report should have the number of pages indicated below and should be in the order indicated below.  Do not put your report into a folder; simply staple the top, left corner.  The report will be due in class on Thursday March 17.

   I. Title Page - Include the following information: your name, your country’s name, a graphic or drawing that represents your country (something other than a map or flag!)

  II. Map - Trace or draw (do NOT simply print a copy) a map of your country.  Indicate the capital with a STAR, and indicate the most populous city with a CIRCLE (if they are the same, circle the star).  Include important landforms or bodies of water and label them appropriately.  Also indicate which countries border your country.  You may hand-write the labels on your map.

 III. Flag - Trace or draw your country’s flag (do NOT simply print a copy) AND write a brief paragraph explaining the significance of the symbols and colors on the flag.

  IV. Overview - LIST the following statistical information: population, land area, population density, population growth rate, life expectancy, major ethnic groups (and percentage of population), major religions (names of religions and percentages of population practicing each), literacy rate (overall and by gender), type of government (democracy or authoritarian), and per capita GDP.  In a well-written PARAGRAPH, comment on the picture of the country that emerges from this statistical information.  What conclusions can you draw based on this information?

   V. History - Using complete sentences, write a one-page summary of your country’s history. Be specific in noting the ways that your country’s history is similar to or differs from the PATTERN of African history we have discussed in class.

  VI. Major Person/Special Issue - Using complete sentences, write a half page summary of any special issue relating to your country OR a biographical sketch of some major figure in your country’s history. 

  VII. Economy – In a well-written PARAGRAPH, write a summary of the current state of your country’s economy (you should reference the per capita GDP). In your summary, answer the questions: what goods / services does your country’s economy rely on? what challenges does your country face that limits their current economic success?

 VIII. Advertisement - You have been hired by a travel agency to either encourage or discourage prospective tourists regarding their choice of your country as their destination.  In a well-written, persuasive paragraph assure them that they have made a wise choice or try to convince them to change their destination.  Remember that the evidence you use to support your argument is more important than the side you choose!

IX. Sources - List the sources you used to compile your report.  NO WIKIPEDIA! There are no limits on the number or types of sources you may use, but you must cite them all using proper MLA format.  USE NOODLETOOLS FOR YOUR CITATIONS.  ONCE YOU HAVE YOUR CITATIONS DONE, EXPORT THEM TO WORD, PRINT OUT, AND ATTACH TO THE BACK OF YOUR PAPER.

  X. Oral Presentation - The day the reports are due, be prepared to share an interesting and relevant piece of information that you learned while researching your country.  This should only take 1-2 minutes, but you should certainly put some thought into what you will share.  AVOID repeating information that we have already covered in class or simply reading from your statistical overview.

Mr. Simpson                                        /50                   Student:___________________

8^th Cultural Geography

Africa Project Evaluation                                           Country:___________________

___ Title Page: name, country, graphic

 4

___ Map: map, capital, most populous city, borders/features

 4

___ Flag: flag, explain colors, explain symbols

 4

 ___ Overview: includes all requested information, conclusions

 6

 ___ History: completion, clarity, reference to historical pattern

 6

 ___ Special Issues/Major Figure: completion, thoroughness, relevance

 4

 ___ Economy: includes all requested information, thoroughness

 5

 ___ Advertisement: completion, quality of arguments

 4

 ___ grammar/spelling/usage/quality of writing

 5

 ___ Sources

 3

 ___ Page Order/Format

 3

 ___ Oral Presentation: relevant, thoughtful and informative comment

 2