Looking for a middle school social studies lesson on African geography and history? Africa Informational Text includes a digital and a printable format. The digital format is completely paperless (for use in Adobe Acrobat or Microsoft Edge). The included printable format is a print-and-go version of the same eight nonfiction reading passages of about 130 words each (around 1,000 words altogether). Each brief informational passage is followed by three text-based questions (24 questions altogether). An answer key for all questions is included.

If you’re searching online for computer-based social studies lessons for your middle school (or homeschool) students, you’ve found them. This lesson resource about Africa is also included in the Continents set. Included:

• Digital, computer-based format: In this format, students can type directly into the file and save their answers. Stunning and compelling images of Africa are built in. (PDF, 19 pages)

• Full digital answer key. (PDF, 19 pages)

• Printable format: Each printable nonfiction passage can stand on its own so you can use one, two, or all eight of them at a time to teach about the geography and history of Africa. (PDF, 9 pages)

• Full printable answer key. (PDF, 9 pages)

Excerpt:

“Africa is the world’s second-largest continent, after Asia. It is home to many kinds of ecosystems, including rainforests, grasslands, and deserts.  The equator runs through the middle of Africa, dividing it between the northern and southern hemispheres. The Atlantic Ocean is to the west. The Indian Ocean is to the east.

Africa is the location of both the Nile River and the world’s largest hot desert, the Sahara Desert. Tropical grasslands called savannas cover about half of Africa. In savannas, trees are lightly scattered about, but grasses are still the main type of plant. Elephants, lions, zebras, giraffes, hyenas, warthogs, and wildebeests roam the savanna….”

Included Africa Reading Passage Titles:

• Physical Geography

• Ancient Egypt

• Colonialism

• Population Growth

• Hydroelectricity in Africa

• Nigeria

• South Africa

• The Sahara Desert



Applicable Grades: 6th grade, 7th grade, 8th grade, homeschool

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