Ancient Mali

Book Authorship

A WebQuest for Primary Students

 

Introduction
Task
Process
Resources
Guidance
Evaluation
Conclusion
Teacher Notes

Introduction

Your school library needs books on ancient Mali. The librarian has been searching the Internet, stores and catalogs for books on Mali that she can purchase for her students to read. These books need to appeal to second and third grade students. You cannot imagine how difficult it is to find interesting books on this ancient culture. Do you think you can help your librarian by writing a book on ancient Mali? Once completed, this book will then be available in your classroom or school library for other students to read. You will have the distinction of being a "published" author.
 
 

Task Return to the top of the page.

Your class will design a book on ancient Mali. You will work with a partner to find information on the culture. Using software on the computer you will design one page of the class book that will later be published by your teacher and placed in your classroom or school library.
 
 

Process Return to the top of the page.

  1. Choose one slip of paper which will have your research topic.
  2. When you are ready, click on the name of the culture.
  3. Read the paragraph on your culture.
  4. Using the websites and print resources begin reviewing the topic.
  5. Write the topic title on the 5x7 index card your teacher provides, add both of your names, and any relevant information about the topic.
  6. Quit your browser, e.g., Netscape or Internet Explorer.
  7. Once you have completed researching your topic, begin thinking about how you want to illustrate the page.
  8. On the backside of the index card, create a draft of your illustration.
  9. Using the information on the index card, write the text of your book page on regular-size writing paper.
  10. Choose a method for editing: peer edit or teacher edit.
  11. Once you have a final draft, have your teacher approve the illustration and text.
  12. Open a drawing program such as KidPix.
  13. Using your approved draft begin entering text at the bottom of the page.
  14. Create an illustration for the top of the page.
  15. You may also choose to use AppleWorks. Create your illustration in KidPix and paste it into an AppleWorks drawing document. Using a textbox, enter the text on the bottom of the page.
  16. Remember to add your names.
  17. Have your teacher review the page and print.
  18. Your teacher will put the book together.
  19. Now you can enjoy your ancient Mali book!

Resources Return to the top of the page.
 
 

Ancient Mali


 

Guidance Return to the top of the page.

You will have one class to research and write your page. With your partner, look at each one of the web sites and/or the books. You should only spend between 5-10 minutes on each site or book. Remember to write your notes on the index card. When you are ready to create your page, you may want one person to be responsible for typing the words into the computer and the other person for using the draw program. Remember you are a team. It is important to help one another.
 
 

Evaluation Return to the top of the page.

Review the rubric to see how your page will be graded.
 
 

Conclusion Return to the top of the page.

Congratulations on being an expert on an ancient Mali as well as a published author! The students at our school will benefit from your hard work for years to come. Your librarian will have a new and valuable information source on an ancient culture that is written especially for children. If you enjoyed researching, illustrating, writing and publishing this book, you can write a second book on one of the other four ancient cultures that third graders study (China, Egypt, Rome, or Greece), or on any topic of interest to you. We hope to see your name and future books listed in the Washington Post or New York Times Bestseller's List.
 
 

Teacher Notes Return to the top of the page.

This WebQuest is designed for two children to work together on a single page of the book. However this can be modified to meet the needs of your school and/or the availability of computers. I recommend printing and cutting the research topics into strips prior to the start of class. You may want to tailor the list of topics to your class requirements. In this list I included a book cover and table of contents as a way of making the packaging of the class book complete. Any drawing program can be used for the illustrations even though KidPix was the suggested application. I have attempted to locate resources that are at the reading level of primary students. Not all of the resources meet this criteria. In selecting the two-partner teams, you may want to consider how well the students will work together and their reading ability. It works best if at least one team member is a strong reader. Adult volunteers can also be used to help students read and understand difficult text. Following are web sites and books that are especially useful for teachers who would like to increase their background knowledge of Mali.

Mali Empire & Griot Traditions
http://www.cocc.edu/cagatucci/classes/hum211/coursepack/maligriot.htm

Ancient African Empires and States
http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/aoi/resources/hg/ancient.html

African Timelines: History, Orature, Literature, & Film
http://www.cocc.edu/cagatucci/classes/hum211/timelines/htimeline2.htm#Mali%20Empire

The Royal Kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhay: Life in Medieval Africa by Patricia and Fredrick McKissack

Return to the top of the page.

Designed by Jill Woodall
Librarian, Kings Park ES
Revised by Brooks Widmaier
School Based Technology Specialist, Kings Park ES
December 1,2002