Learning About AFRICA
Students at St. Croix Catholic School have spent the past few weeks immersing themselves in the study of Africa.
 One of the highlights was the chance to explore Africa in a big way – with a 35 by 26 foot map of the African continent. The large vinyl map which accurately illustrates Africa’s oceans, seas, rivers, mountains, countries and capitals, was laid out on the floor of the gym. Students had the opportunity to walk around on the map in their stocking feet and try many varied learning activities such as scavenger hunts, relay races, and imaginary safaris. All of the activities were designed to teach students about the physical characteristics, history and culture of the vast and varied continent of Africa. Preschool through 8th grade students rolled over the Sahara Desert and hopped down the Nile to discover that Africa is HUGE!
The map was made by National Geographic’s map division for National Geographic Live! Education Tours and it came to St. Croix Catholic School through a Minnesota Alliance for Geography (MAGE) grant. It was also displayed at the Festival of Nations and only six other schools in the state of Minnesota.
As part of the students’ study of Africa, many resource people were invited into the classrooms. They shared artifacts and stories from the African continent. Fourteen students currently enrolled in various grades at SCCS are from families having ties to African countries including Ethiopia, Nigeria, Egypt, and Sudan. Several of these students were born in Africa and have only come to the United States in the past few years. These students were able to share their stories including favorite foods, native clothing, and pictures.
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