Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Understanding of African Kingdoms: Students should be able to understand the main aspects of the African Kingdoms of Kush, Axum, and Ghana. This includes the geographical location, political structure, economy, and key cultural characteristics of each kingdom.

2. Comparative Analysis: Students should be able to conduct a comparative analysis among the three kingdoms, identifying similarities and differences in terms of political structure, economy, and culture.

3. Historical Contextualization: Students should be able to place the African Kingdoms of Kush, Axum, and Ghana in the context of African and world history, understanding the importance of these kingdoms for the region's development and international relations.

Secondary Objectives:

• Encouragement of Critical Thinking: Through comparative analysis, students will be encouraged to develop critical thinking skills, questioning, reflecting, and forming their own opinions.

• Promotion of Cultural Awareness: By studying these kingdoms, students will have the opportunity to learn about the cultural diversity of Africa and the contribution of these peoples to world history.

Introduction (10 - 15 minutes)

1. Review of Related Content: Before introducing the African Kingdoms of Kush, Axum, and Ghana, the teacher should briefly review related content that has been previously studied. This may include a review of Ancient Africa, pre-colonial African society and culture, and the importance of Africa in the world economy. (3 - 5 minutes)

2. Problem Situations: To spark students' interest, the teacher can present two problem situations:

   • How did the African Kingdoms of Kush, Axum, and Ghana manage to develop and prosper despite geographical difficulties and external pressure?
   • What was the impact of these kingdoms on the history of Africa and the world? (3 - 5 minutes)

3. Contextualization: The teacher should emphasize the importance of studying these kingdoms for the understanding of African history and culture, as well as for understanding Africa's role on the world stage. It can also be mentioned how these kingdoms contributed to the development of other civilizations, such as the Roman Empire and the Islamic civilization. (2 - 3 minutes)

4. Introduction to the Topic: To capture students' attention, the teacher can introduce the topic with some interesting facts and stories:

   • The Kingdom of Axum was one of the first states to adopt Christianity as the official religion, and it is believed that King Ezana was the first monarch to issue coins with the Christian cross in Africa.
   • The Kingdom of Ghana controlled the gold production in the region, and its wealth attracted Arab and Berber traders, establishing trade routes that connected North Africa with the southern Sahara.
   • The Kingdom of Kush, located in the region of present-day Sudan, was one of the first to have contact with Ancient Egypt and adopted many elements of Egyptian culture, including hieroglyphic writing. (3 - 5 minutes)

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

1. Presentation of the African Kingdoms of Kush, Axum, and Ghana (10 - 12 minutes):

   • Kush: The teacher should start by presenting the Kingdom of Kush, located in present-day Sudan, mentioning its geographical location and how this location influenced its history and development. The influence of Egyptian culture on Kush should be highlighted, including the adoption of hieroglyphic writing and the practice of pharaonate. Additionally, the teacher should emphasize the importance of trade, especially of gold, for Kush's economy.
   • Axum: Next, the teacher should move on to the Kingdom of Axum, located in present-day Ethiopia. It should be mentioned that Axum was an important trade center, connecting Africa to India and the Mediterranean. The teacher should highlight the adoption of Christianity as the official religion and the construction of grand monuments, such as the obelisks of Axum.
   • Ghana: Finally, the teacher should present the Kingdom of Ghana, located in the region that is now Mali and Senegal. The control of gold production by Ghana and its strategic position in trans-Saharan trade should be emphasized. The teacher should also mention Ghana's system of government, which was based on clans and a king with limited powers.

2. Comparative Analysis (5 - 7 minutes):

   • The teacher should then guide the students in a comparative analysis among the three kingdoms, asking them to identify similarities and differences in terms of geographical location, political structure, economy, and culture. This can be done through a classroom discussion or in small groups. The teacher should be attentive to correct any misunderstandings and to highlight the main conclusions of the comparative analysis.

3. Discussion on the Impact of the Kingdoms (5 - 6 minutes):

   • Finally, the teacher should lead a discussion on the impact of the Kingdoms of Kush, Axum, and Ghana on the history of Africa and the world. Students should be encouraged to think about how these kingdoms contributed to the development of other civilizations, to international relations, and to the history of the African continent. The teacher should also emphasize the importance of understanding the history of these kingdoms for the comprehension of modern Africa and for the appreciation of African cultural diversity.

Throughout the development, the teacher should encourage active student participation, asking open-ended questions, listening to their opinions and ideas, and correcting any misunderstandings. The teacher should also use visual materials, such as maps and images, to enrich the presentation and facilitate student understanding.

Return (8 - 10 minutes)

1. Review of Key Concepts (3 - 4 minutes): The teacher should start this stage by asking students to summarize, in their own words, the key concepts discussed during the lesson. This may include the geographical location and main characteristics of the African Kingdoms of Kush, Axum, and Ghana, as well as the comparative analysis that was conducted among them. The teacher should listen carefully to students' responses, correct any misunderstandings, and reinforce the most important points.

2. Connection to Reality (2 - 3 minutes): Next, the teacher should ask students to reflect on how what they learned in the lesson connects to the real world. This may include:

   • The importance of Africa in the world economy, both in the past (due to the gold trade, for example) and in the present (due to the continent's natural resources and population).
   • The influence of African culture on global culture, including in music, art, religion, and cuisine.
   • The relevance of critical thinking and comparative analysis for the understanding of history and culture.

   The teacher should encourage students to make concrete connections, using examples from their own daily lives and the world around them.

3. Final Reflection (2 - 3 minutes): Finally, the teacher should ask students to silently reflect for a minute and then share their answers to the following questions:

   1. What was the most important concept you learned today?
   2. What questions have not been answered yet?

   After listening to students' responses, the teacher should summarize the main learning points of the lesson and inform students that unanswered questions will be addressed in the next lesson or topic.

   The teacher should conclude the lesson by reinforcing the importance of studying African history for the understanding of the current world and for the promotion of social justice and equality.

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Summary of Contents (2 - 3 minutes): The teacher should start the Conclusion by summarizing the main points covered during the lesson. This includes the presentation of the African Kingdoms of Kush, Axum, and Ghana, the comparative analysis among them, and the discussion on their impact on the history of Africa and the world. The teacher should highlight the most relevant aspects of each kingdom, reinforcing students' understanding of these contents.

2. Theory-Practice Connections (1 - 2 minutes): Next, the teacher should explain how the lesson connected theory, practice, and application. The teacher should emphasize how the study of these kingdoms allows students to apply theoretical knowledge about African history and culture to the analysis of practical situations and to the understanding of the world around them. For example, by studying the Kingdom of Ghana, students were able to understand how the control of natural resources, such as gold, can influence the economy and international relations.

3. Extra Materials (1 - 2 minutes): The teacher should then suggest extra materials for students who wish to deepen their knowledge on the topic. This may include books, documentaries, websites of research institutions, and museums, among others. The teacher should briefly explain what each material covers and how it can complement what was learned in the classroom.

4. Relevance of the Subject (1 minute): Finally, the teacher should reinforce the importance of studying the African Kingdoms of Kush, Axum, and Ghana for students' lives. The teacher should highlight how the understanding of African history and culture is essential for the comprehension of the current world and for the promotion of social justice and equality. Additionally, the teacher should emphasize how the development of comparative analysis and critical thinking skills, which were stimulated during the lesson, are fundamental for the formation of active and engaged citizens.

At the end of the lesson, students should have acquired a solid understanding of the African Kingdoms of Kush, Axum, and Ghana, as well as their contributions to the history of Africa and the world. Moreover, students should be prepared to continue deepening their knowledge on the topic, using the extra materials suggested by the teacher.