Sixth graders celebrate Africa

For one morning earlier this month, the lecture room at Sisters Middle School was transformed into a lively festival celebrating the culture of the countries in Africa.

Under the direction of teachers Kristi Taylor and Deirdre Kanzig, the sixth grade class shared displays, artifacts, music and food to culminate the study of the African continent's history, culture and geography.

Using the storyline method, students each took on an African character that they developed during the course of the unit. Among other things, the storyline method incorporates role plays and imaginative writing, which the students became totally immersed in, according to Kanzig.

Visitors to the celebration had a chance to view colorful display boards created by students featuring facts and graphics related to nearly every country in Africa. Artifacts on display included camel bells, baskets, artwork, jewelry and even a spear.

"The students amazed me," said Taylor. "They just took off on this project and ran with it."

Many students dressed "in character" and answered questions from the perspective of the character they created. The celebration, according to the storyline, brought all the characters together in Cairo, Egypt. Attendees included warriors, doctors, teachers and shopkeepers, among others.

The learning was not limited to just the students, according to Kanzig.

"Numerous parents commented that they had never studied Africa in such depth at any time in school," she said.

One statistic that really stood out to a lot of parents had to do with the doctor to patient ratio of African countries compared to the U.S. In America, there is one medical doctor for about every 40 citizens. In Mozambique, for example, the ratio is 1:132,000.

Simply realizing that the African continent includes over 50 countries is eye-opening for most students, according to Kanzig.

"Africa is fascinating when (students) consider the long term history, as well as the shorter term European influence of Spain, Portugal, Britain, France, Italy, Holland and Belgium," she said.

"The unrest in parts of Africa can be traced back to the dividing of the country by Europeans who largely ignored tribal boundaries," she said. "We were able to look at both sides of Europe's influence, but we also looked much further back and discovered the wonder of ancient kingdoms and Africa's role in human civilization."

The class is embarking on a new adventure in the upcoming weeks as they begin the study of the Middle East and Asia, but they will get one more dose of Africa when Kanzig's sister, Dr. Valery Shean, and two Ugandans visit the sixth grade on Friday, February 15.

Dr. Val, as she is commonly known in Uganda where she works as a veterinarian, will share about her work and life in Africa. Dr. Moses Otim and his wife Christine will share from the perspective as natives of Uganda. Dr. Otim is also a veterinarian, and his wife is a teacher.

The sixth grade students and their families have been supporting one of Dr. Val's projects, called the Samburu Camel Distribution Program. The program allows families to acquire a pregnant camel from which they share the offspring, multiplying the ability for other families to have a camel for milk and work. The money raised so far, over $1,000, will purchase at least four camels.

"It is gratifying to see the students be so excited for learning and for them to contribute in truly helpful ways to the people of Uganda," said Kanzig.