Ways of Earning a Living in West Africa

Grade 6 · Social Studies

Semester 1 | Period 2 | Week 7

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Subject: Social Studies

Semester: 1

Period: 2

Week: 7

School Name:
Teacher’s Name:
Subject: Social Studies
Grade Level: Grade 6
Date: Week 7
Lesson Duration: 45 minutes
Week & Period: Week 7, Period 2
Topic: Ways of Earning a Living in West Africa
Sub-topic: Ghana – Cocoa, Guinea – Cattle, Sierra Leone – Coffee, Nigeria – Cocoa, Liberia – Rubber, General farm crops common to West African countries
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
Identify some general farm crops which may be common to the selected countries of West Africa
Understand Liberia’s place in West African agriculture
Previous Knowledge
Students already know:
The meaning of agriculture, basic types of crops, and general occupations in West Africa
Instructional Materials
World map, pictures of cocoa, coffee, cattle, rubber, real farm samples if available, chart papers, markers, projector
Lesson Development – ABC Model
A – Anticipation (Warm-up / Starter) Time: 5–10 minutes
Show pictures of different farm products from West African countries. Ask students to name the crops and animals they recognize. Discuss briefly what they know about farming in West Africa.

B – Building Knowledge (Main Lesson Body)

Time: 25–30 minutes

Step 1: Definitions and Explanation

  • Farming: Farming is the practice of growing crops and raising animals for food, trade, and other human needs.
  • Export crops: These are crops that are grown mainly to be sold to other countries, rather than just for eating at home. They bring money into a country’s economy.

Teacher explains that in West Africa, some countries are well known for certain crops and animals that they sell both locally (within their own country) and internationally (to other countries).

 

Step 2: Demonstration (Using a Map)
Teacher uses a wall map of Africa to point out and label the following countries: Ghana, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and Liberia.

 

Step 3: Country-by-Country Discussions

  • Ghana – Cocoa
    • Ghana is one of the top producers of cocoa in the world.
    • Cocoa is used to make chocolate, cocoa powder, and cocoa butter.
    • Importance: Provides jobs for many farmers, brings money to the economy through export.
    • Example: When people in Europe buy chocolate, some of the cocoa may come from Ghana.
  • Guinea – Cattle
    • Guinea is known for cattle rearing.
    • Types: Zebu and N’dama cattle.
    • Uses: Meat (food), milk (nutrition), hides/skins (leather).
    • Importance: Provides food and income, used in cultural festivals, sometimes used as dowry in marriages.
  • Sierra Leone – Coffee
    • Coffee is grown by smallholder farmers and also on commercial farms.
    • Smallholder farming: Small family farms.
    • Commercial farming: Large farms owned by companies.
    • Importance: Export crop that earns money, provides jobs, and is used for making coffee drinks worldwide.
  • Nigeria – Cocoa
    • Nigeria is also a major producer of cocoa, especially in states like Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti.
    • Similar to Ghana, cocoa farming is a source of foreign exchange.
    • Importance: Provides jobs, improves farmers’ income, and contributes to the national budget.
  • Liberia – Rubber
    • Liberia is famous for rubber plantations, especially Firestone Plantation.
    • Uses: Making car tires, shoes, gloves, balloons, and industrial products.
    • Importance: Major export product, provides jobs for many Liberians.

 

Step 4: Common Farm Crops in West Africa
Teacher highlights crops common across West Africa:

  • Staple crops: Maize, rice, cassava, yams.
  • Importance: These crops feed the population and are sometimes traded with nearby countries.

 

Step 5: Discussion
Teacher engages learners to compare:

  • Similarities: Many West African countries depend on crops or livestock for jobs and export.
  • Differences: Some focus more on crops (like Ghana with cocoa), while others focus more on livestock (like Guinea with cattle).

 

Practical Activity

  • Learners draw a country–crop chart linking each country with its major crop or livestock.
    Example:
    • Ghana → Cocoa
    • Guinea → Cattle
    • Sierra Leone → Coffee
    • Nigeria → Cocoa
    • Liberia → Rubber

 

Learners’ Activities (Expanded):

  1. Locate the five countries on the map.
  2. Identify the main crop or livestock for each country.
  3. Work in pairs to discuss why each crop or livestock is important.
  4. Draw a country–crop chart for visual understanding.

 

Assessment Checks:

  • Oral Questions:
  1. Which crop is Ghana famous for?
  2. What do people use rubber for in Liberia?
  3. Name one use of cattle in Guinea.
  4. Which countries in West Africa produce cocoa?
  • Teacher checks learners’ charts for accuracy and neatness.

 

Notes (Expanded & Detailed):

  • Liberia’s rubber production is one of the best examples of West African export crops. Firestone Plantation has been operating since the 1920s.
  • Export crops such as cocoa, coffee, and rubber bring foreign exchange to governments, allowing them to build schools, hospitals, and roads.
  • Farming and livestock rearing are also connected to students’ communities. Example: Some learners may see cocoa, cassava, or rice farms in their villages, or know families that rear goats or cattle.

 

Assignment (for Homework):

  1. Write down three ways in which farming helps your community.
  2. Draw and color a simple map of West Africa showing Ghana, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and Liberia. Label each country with its main crop or livestock.
  3. Interview an elder in your community to ask what crops or animals are mostly farmed locally and how they are used. Write 5 sentences about it.

 

C – Consolidation (Conclusion & Assessment) Time: 5–10 minutes
Summary: Recap the countries studied and their main economic activities
Evaluation Method (Expanded):
Exit slip/quiz: Name one major crop or livestock for Ghana, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and Liberia
Teacher will collect slips and provide oral feedback
Assignment (Expanded): Research one West African crop or livestock and write 3–4 sentences about its importance to the country
Follow-up Activity: Prepare a short oral presentation on Liberia’s farm crops for the next class
Differentiation / Inclusive Strategies
Use visual aids for learners with reading difficulties
Pair learners for discussion to support those who need help articulating ideas
Teacher’s Reflection (After Class)
What worked well? ___________________________________________
What needs improvement? ____________________________________
Students’ engagement level: ☑ High ☑ Medium ☑ Low