These sections can be used to generate discussions and related assignments in a variety of intermediate social science subjects including: geography, history, politics as well as spin offs into science and English. The main topics covered in these sections are: development issues in Angola, urban planning, environmental issues, community activism, water conservation and the biography of a Canadian Hero. The following lesson plans and strategies can be adapted to fit a wide range of student abilities and interests.

Elementary Secondary Library Resources

Secondary: From Bullets to Buckets Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 4 Section 1 What on Earth Would You Do? Pre - Reading Ideas In order to generate curiosity in this section have the students brainstorm with the aid of the following general questions. Where is Angola? What do you know about life in Angola or another African Nation? What do you imagine are the biggest differences between living in rural and urban Africa? What are some of the daily living problems that Angolans may face? Imagine that the water supply to your town or city will be cut off for one week - how would you cope? List the ways that you have used water today and try to calculate how much water you use in an average day. Lesson Strategies In groups of three, students should consider the following problem. Imagine that the population of your town or city will multiply by five in the next five years. Make a list of the services and construction that would be necessary to facilitate such a growth in the population. (Additional information could be given according to the class - e.g. define needs of incoming population e.g. housing, food, education, medical facilities, transportation etc.) Students should prioritise their lists and consider a plan that could encompass such a growth spurt. Using the World Bank Country Reports or World Book Statistics ask students to compare the quality of life index between Canada and Angola. Ask students to consider which three areas of development they would concentrate on if they were Angolan politicians. Students must justify their choices. Back to top Section 2 Trail Blazer - From Bullets to Buckets Pre- Reading Strategies Students should be asked to consider the difference between finding their own solutions to a problem and seeking outside assistance. Give the students a mock situation such as starting a local school - ask them to make a list of pros and cons regarding setting up the school themselves or hiring outside help to do the job. Then students should make a list of the steps and jobs necessary to set up a new school in the neighbourhood. Lesson Strategies Students should list four reasons why they think Allan Cain used a local theatre group as opposed to a newsletter for example to spread his message. Students should list the jobs of the Sambizanga groups and compare with their lists for setting up a school - are the lists in any way similar? Students should summarise the key factors that made the Sambizanga water project a success. They should compare their answers with their original ideas about seeking solutions from within - would they now change the ways they might go about setting up a school. Students should write a brief biography of Allan Cain, being sure to include new information by sending questions to Cain and incorporating the answers into their biographies. Back to top Section 3 Angola Students could prepare a country summary on Angola over the past 30 years - this should be done in group work of three with each student selecting either a decade or an area to focus on - economy, politics, society. They should present their material in a report format. Depending on their ability students can be directed to look at changes in the economy, government, the impact of the civil war, the involvement of foreign governments, armies, corporations and international agencies such as the World Bank and the United Nations. More advanced classes can expand this project by requiring groups to study and compare and contrast with other former Portuguese nations such as Mozambique or Brazil. Beyond the Civil War - In order for students to get a more general grasp on Angola, they should be assigned a variety of categories: literature, art, poetry, music, textiles, language, religions, pre-colonial history . Each student is required to come up with either a page of information or a three to five minute speech. As a class they should decide how their categories fit and how they could best be presented. History Role Play - Living With the Peace - The twenty year civil war in Angola has had features not unlike many post WWII civil wars: total disruption of rural living patterns, outside military interference, exacerbated ethnic and cultural rivalries, regionalism, and the narrowing of the economy. Advanced students should break into teams representing the FNLA, UNITA, MPLA, Angolan citizens group, South African Military, Cuban and Soviet Union Military etc. The groups should simulate meeting every five years from 1975 to 2000 to discuss and consider their progress. In between each meeting the students will be expected to report on the meeting and prepare by researching for the next meeting. Human Rights - Newspaper Report - By contacting Amnesty International either locally or through the net students should compile statistics and information on various aspects of the civil war and its aftermath such as: the treatment of dissidents, political prisoners, and freedom of the press. Back to top Section 4 Water - Lesson Ideas This section contains facts and resources about water use in Canada and the rest of the world. Students should try the World Water Quiz and follow up with a resource search-quiz making exercise. In groups of five each member should visit one of the five web sites listed in this section. At the web site they should retrieve two water facts that they will turn into two quiz questions. The group will produce a 10 question quiz to try out on other groups. Back to top