1. Bringing Water to a Lesotho Village: A Classroom Simulation. Water in Africa.
- Author
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Peace Corps, Washington, DC. Office of World Wise Schools. and Ray, Dany M.
- Abstract
The Water in Africa Project was realized over a 2-year period by a team of Peace Corps volunteers, World Wise Schools (WWS) classroom teachers, and WWS staff members. As part of an expanded, detailed design, resources were collected from over 90 volunteers serving in African countries, photos and stories were prepared, and standards-based learning units were created for K-12 students. Intended for middle school students, this unit can be used in geography, health, and language arts classrooms. Four or five 45-minute class periods are suggested. The unit focuses on Lesotho, a small landlocked country located within the country of South Africa. Two-thirds of the country is filled with steep, treeless mountains, and most of the population lives in the lowlands. Droughts have altered living and health conditions causing the women and girls (who do most of the water gathering) to travel farther and farther each day during the dry season for water. In the unit, students simulate village "water committees" that plan, design, and build a water supply system. Water committees are provided with a water project scenario, maps, and background information. Each committee presents its plan to the villagers to persuade them that their plan will increase the availability of water and the overall health of the village. The unit lists materials needed, outlines applicable standards, poses discussion questions, and lists student objectives. It details day-by-day procedures for the teacher and suggests assessment and follow-up/enrichment activities. (BT)
- Published
- 2000