African American Literature
Syllabus
*Please note that this syllabus is subject to change. Students are asked to check the assignment board in the classroom on a daily basis.
Week of September 4-September 10, 2012
Day 2
Bell Work: Writer’s Response Journal
Students will write down a story that was told to them by an
Older family member (May be Prose or Poetry)
Class Work: Students will Share the story told
Students will begin Unit 2 “The African Literary Tradition”
Handout will be given (pages 73-82)
Focus terms Myth, Oral Tradition, Heiroglypics, Pictographs,
Cuniform, Hymn, Praise Song
Students will Read Aloud “The Hymn to Aton” and discuss
the significance of the piece.
Home Work: None
Day 3
Bell Work: Writer’s Response Journal
Students will write down “Old Sayings” they have heard
and they will choose some to create a poem about the
saying, their meanings, and the persons who repeatedly
said them
Class Work: Students will define the terms proverbs, aphorism, morals,
Epigrams, Fable
Students will share Response Journals
Complete reading and Handout “The Oral Tradition”
Pages 83-92 Complete Handout
Define and Discuss “Griot”
Students will read and discuss African Proverbs pages 94-95
Home Work: Students will choose one of the African Proverb discussed and
Invent a fable to accompany it. Students must type their fables
And illustrate their fables (Teacher will provide paper)
Day 4
Bell Work: Writer’s Response Journal Write describing a familiar scene at
Sunset or sunrise. Write to help share the experience with your
Reader…Use specific images
Class Work: Students will share FABLES (homework) with class
Students will read aloud in class “Spider’s Bargain with God”
Pages 99-100
FOCUS: FOLK TALE, RIDDLING SECTION
Discuss characteristics of FABLE /focus TRICKSTER
Answer questions 1-5 concerning fable read
Home Work: Write a fable using the character of the TRICKSTER
(May be a spider, a monkey, a rabbit, a bear, a fox, a snake, etc.)
Type or Print Story/ Illustrate
Day 5
Bell Work: Take Reading Quiz on “Spider’s Bargain with God”
Class Work: Share TRICKSTER FABLES
Read and Discuss “Olode the Hunter Becomes an Oba”
Pages 103-106 Do Questions page 106
Focus of discussion: MORAL
Home Work: Write a tale using the idea of THE FORBIDDEN DOOR
(May be a locked box, a book, a computer terminal, a closed
Bottle, etc.)
Type or Print Tale/ Illustrate
Week of September 13-17 2012
Day 1
Bell Work: Take Reading Quiz “Olode the Hunter Becomes an Oba”
Class Work: Share FORBIDDEN DOOR TALE
Read and discuss “Osebo’s Drum” Pages 108-112
Story Focus: MYTH/ EXPLANTION and CREATION
Do Questions page 112 1-5
Home Work: Write a story to explain some natural occurrence.
Illustrate your story/ type or print
Day 2
Bell Work: Reading Quiz “Osebo’s Drum”
Class Work: Share MYTHS OF EXPLANATION
Read and Discuss “Nana Miriam” pages 113-116
Do Questions #1-4 page 116
Home Work: Write a Story about METAMORPHOSIS
Choose some natural object and write an original story
Explaining how and why someone was transformed into
That object. (May be humorous or serious)
Illustrate
Day 3
Bell Work: Reading Quiz “Nana Miriam”
Class Work: Share MYTHS OF EXPLANATION
Read, Take Notes, and Discuss “The Epic in Africa”
FOCUS; EPIC (Primary Epics)
Read and Discuss “…from SUNDIATA”
Pages 120-121 and “…Krina” pages 122-124
Do questions 125 1-6
Note Characteristics of an Epic/ Define TALL TALE
Home Work: Read, Take Notes, Answer Questions “Talk” page 129-
130
Day 4 Bell Work: Reading Quiz “from Sundiata”
Class Work: Students will go to the library to do Mini Research Project
Group Work/ Twos (TWO DAY PROJECT)
Choose one of the topics below for a brief report
(visual, written, oral)
1. AFRICAN FOLK TALES
2. SUNDIATA
3. OLD MALI
4. THE MALI EMPIRE
5. EMPEROR SHAKA THE GREAT
6. CLEOPATRA
7. THE GREAT KINGS OF AFRICA
8. FAMOUS AFRICAN TRIBES
9. AFRICAN EPIC HEROES
Home Work: Continue Individual Work on Group Project
(Project Handout will be given in class)
Projects Presented on Friday
Includes Tri-Fold Board, Hands-on Artifacts, Written Report,
Oral Report
Day 5
Bell Work: Students will gather materials for project completion
Class Work: Students will work on group project
A. Library Work
B. Class Work
Home Work: Complete Projects
Week of September 20-24
Day 1 Bell Work: Set up for project Presentations/ Students will set up
Presentation Booths
Class Work: PROJECT PRESENTATIONS
Home Work: Review Unit 2/ TEST STUDY (Test WEDNESDAY)