1	Quality of Life in Sub-Saharan Africa
2	1. The Question Many of the world’s least developed countries are located in Sub-Saharan Africa, the region south of the Sahara desert. According to the United Nations, least developed countries (LDCs) are “the poorest countries in the world with the greatest need of assistance.” Governments of developed countries that can meet the needs of their own people often provide official development assistance (ODA) to the world’s poorest countries. ODA and private charitable donations are used to improve the quality of life for people in these countries. Some people think that the United States, one of the wealthiest and most developed countries in the world, should give more financial aid to the LDCs in Sub-Saharan Africa. What do you think?
3	2. Student Activity In order to answer this question, you will need to be able to describe and compare/contrast the quality of life in a country in Sub-Saharan Africa and in the United States. Refer to this map to select a country in Sub-Saharan Africa. Quality of life is measured using indicators which describe certain economic, social, and environmental conditions in a country. Read the indicator definitions on this Indicator Definitions and Data Table to classify each indicator as economic, social, and/or environmental. Be prepared to explain your reasoning in class discussion. Refer to the information sources on Slide 3 to gather data about these indicators for the African country you selected and for the USA.
4	3. Information Sources Use the online sources below to collect data about the quality of life in a country in Sub-Saharan Africa and in the United States. Use your Indicator Definitions and Data Table to record the data. Refer to these Directions for Using the Information Sources as you work (hard copy recommended)
5	4. Assessment Activity Considering these facts and the data you collected about quality of life in the United States and in a country in Sub-Saharan Africa, do you think the United States should increase the level of our development aid to this country? Why or why not?
6	5. Enrichment Activities View and listen to these Brain Pop movies related to today’s lesson, and take the quizzes! United Nations Fighting Hunger Examine photos from some countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to get a visual idea of the quality of life there: Online photo albums (PBS My World: Africa for Kids) CultureGrams Secondary – Click on Photo Gallery, Africa Learn more about the Millennium Development Goals for achieving a higher quality of life in the world’s least developed countries.
7	6. Teacher Support Materials Objective: Students will use data from indicators to describe the quality of life in Sub-Saharan Africa. State Standards Alignment Time Management: Two 50-minute class periods in the computer lab Differentiation: Allow students to work collaboratively with a partner Allow students to divide the work: chunk indicators or allow individual students to use only one source, then jigsaw. Learning Styles/Preferences: Visual, Tactile, Active, Reflective Global Understanding/ Analytical Understanding
8	MD Voluntary State Curriculum Alignment Social Studies: Grade 7 4.0 ECONOMICS – Students will develop economic reasoning to understand the historical development and current status of economic principles, institutions, and processes needed to be effective citizens, consumers, and workers participating in local communities, the nation, and the world. A. Scarcity and Economic Decision-making 4. Compare the levels of specialization and economic development in different parts of the contemporary world. Describe the standard of living and the quality of life in a world region using data, such as Gross National Product (GNP), Gross Domestic Product (GDP), per capita income and the Human Development Index (HDI). Library Media: Grade 6-8 3.A.3. Use computer/online/digital resources efficiently and effectively. 3.A.7. Use appropriate graphic organizers or note cards to record relevant information. 5.A.2. Apply critical thinking and problem solving strategies. Reading: Grade 7 1.D.2. Apply a conceptual understanding of new words 1.D.3. Understand, acquire, and use new vocabulary Assessment limit: Specialized use of vocabulary in specific content areas)