Magellan Geographix. "mnigeria." 1992. GIF file. Web. 8 Dec.
Nigeria is located in Western Africa, bordering Benin, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and the Gulf of Guinea. The capital of Nigeria is Abuja. The previous capital was located in the city of Lagos. In the novel, Aunty Ifeoma travels to Lagos for the interview for her family's visas to leave the country. The country's population is 135 million. It is the 6th largest oil producing nation in the world.
The country's 50% Muslim population lives in the northern section; whereas, the Christians live predominantly in the southern part of the country. The remaining 10% of the population is composed of residents with indigeneous beliefs. Kambili's family is Christian. Her grandfather falls into the indigeneous category. Aunty Ifeoma represents the country's population that believe in Christianity or Muslim, but include indigeneious beliefs, as well. Aunty Ifeoma is Christian, but believes in a worship style much different than Kambili's father. The religious strife is still present in modern day Nigeria. The following websites may be explored for additional information on Nigeria:
Kwintessential
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/nigeria.html
Virtual Tourist: The People Behind the Places
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Africa/Nigeria/TravelGuide-Nigeria.html
Info Please: All the Knowledge You Need to Know
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107847.html
United States Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria
http://nigeria.usembassy.gov/about_nigeria.html
Discovery Education
http://www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers
An assignment you can implement to garner interest in Nigeria and that part of the world is the Nigerian Travel Brochure. Kambili travels to visit her aunt and her aunt visits the city of Lagos, Nigeria in the novel. Students may utilize the websites above along with their school and local libraries to gather the information to complete the travel brochure.
NIGERIAN TRAVEL BROCHURE PROJECT
Using typing paper (any color) and colored pencils, you are to create a travel brochure for someone travelling to Nigeria. Fold the sheet in thirds to resemble a travel brochure. For each surface of the paper you must plan something to promote the travel to that part of the world.
The cover is usually the title page. The inside pages are to promote a minimum of three stops on their trip to Nigeria. Each area promoted must have a short paragraph describing it in only the most glowing of terms. On the back, you are to provide information about where to call to book the tour. You can also include advertisements for supplies or companies that might provide things or services for your tour, or testimonial account of people who have taken the tour and were thrilled with the outcome and adventure.
You will be graded on the following criteria for the assignment. Follow the instructions and have fun!
Followed Instructions
Factual/accurate terms
Three stops with paragraphs
Back Page information
Graphics
Creativity
Spelling/Grammar
Neatly written
-Taken from a template at the Discovery Education website http://www.DiscoveryEducation.com
-Please find Grading Rubric located at the bottom of this page.
________________________________________________________________
The teacher may choose to include a mini-lesson on Nigeria's colonization by Great Britain. Nigeria became a free country in 1960. The book mentions references to the Biafra War which began in 1967 and ended in 1970. Kambili learns of a mail bomb killing one of her father's employees. This civil war resulted in 1 million to 3 million Nigerians deaths. Most were from starvation. The teacher may allow the students to compare/contrast the Biafra War with the civil unrest found in many parts of the world today.
Another assignment may be to explore the differences in Nigeria in 1970 compared with Nigeria in 2011. How is present day Nigeria different from the Nigeria that Kambili describes in Purple Hibiscus? Be specific with what you want the students to research and write about. The following websites explain the Biafra War and provide information about one of its key players. Odumeguw Ojukwu died in November 2011. Ojukwu was the Igb0 Colonel who fought for the Republic of Biafra. The last website provides the thoughts and beliefs of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who was previously the executive Governor of Lagos State. He longs to see Nigerians unite to allow their country to grow and prosper. He would like for Ojukwu's legacy to be one of healing and advancement for Nigerians.
Global Security Website
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/biafra.htm
The Nation: Truth in Defence of Freedom
http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/27705-tinubu%3A-his-death-
reminder-of-nigeria%E2%80%99s-federalism-problem.html
The Nigerian Voice: The Nigeria Resource Center
http://www.thenigerianvoice.com/nvnews/51240/1/tinubu-the-enigma-the-democrat.html
The Official Website of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu
http://asiwajubolatinubu.com/
History World: History of Nigeria
http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ad41
__________________________________________________________
Children in Nigeria face many obstacles such as poverty and the AIDS epidemic in their country. Adichie's Kambili was from a wealthy family in Nigeria; however, her Aunt Ifeoma struggles to feed her family. The website Save the Children lists that 1 in 5 Nigerian children die before reaching their 5th birthday. Students can be made aware of these harsh facts. Many of the websites list ways to help these children through donations. Students may want to collect pennies for a class project to help Nigerian children. This small project may bring awareness to a great problem. It is also a way that students can see that they can make a difference. The following websites provide information about the plight of many children in Nigeria:
Unicef: At a Glance Australia
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/australia_60326.html
Blueprint For Truth and Justice
http://www.blueprintng.com/new/index.php/news/weekleaks-a-nation/208-nation/1318-are-nigerian-children-endangered-species
Save the Children: Nigeria
http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/where-we-work/africa/nigeria
____________________________________________________________________
The theme of physical abuse runs throughout this novel. Adichie's Kambili, Jaja, and the mother all suffer physical and mental abuse from the father. The teacher may use this platform to address child abuse found in our culture. The teacher may research local statistics in his/her city to relay to the students. Several great resources may be your local Abuse Alternative Chapter, YMCA, or local Child Protection Agency. They will have brochures you may obtain to have available in your classroom. This may be a opportune time to have a guidance counselor/social worker come to the class for a short lecture/discussion on child abuse. The teacher may have the students write a one page paper on the topic describing what they have learned through the study and lecture.
Websites that provide information and statistic are the following:
Prevent Child Abuse America
http://www.preventchildabuse.org/publications/parents/downloads/ten_ways_to_prevent.pdf
Teens Health from Nemours
http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/relationships/abuse.html
Center for Child Protection and Family Support
http://stopchildabusenow.org/report_abuse.htm
_______________________________________________________________________
2012 World Olympics
Students will be beginning to hear information about the upcoming 2012 World Olympics that are to be held in London, England. (Nigeria was colonized by the United Kingdom) While students are reading this novel, they may be able to have contact with Nigerian students through the Olympic Dreams Network website. This website pairs up schools/students with other students throughout the world. The website lists information and activities that can be conducted in the classroom. This exciting writing activity can be utilized by the teacher registering his/her class on the website. After obtaining school permission, the teacher may begin the process of requesting Nigeria as a twin matchup.
British Broadcasting Corporation: World Class Olympic Dreams Network
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldclass/15385153
Another option may be researching Nigeria's Olympic Team. Check out their soccer team.
Kambili went to a soccer practice with Father Amadi. This may be an activity to generate interest for a student who does not appear to be enjoying the reading of the novel; it may pull him/her back into the discussions, etc. If the Olympics are on television during the teaching of this unit, find out if Nigeria is represented in the upcoming events. The news stations airing the Olympics will have schedules, etc. on their websites.
Be creative with writing assignments. Find out which sports they are interested in and design a writing assignment around the sport and athletes. Remember to keep the Nigerian teams in the forefront to continue tying the assignment back to the reading of the novel.
All Africa: Olympics
http://allafrica.com/olympics/bydate/
Surrey County Council: Nigeria
http://www.gosurrey.info/about-us/news/nigeria-to-train-in-surrey-ahe/
_______________________________________________________________________
The country's 50% Muslim population lives in the northern section; whereas, the Christians live predominantly in the southern part of the country. The remaining 10% of the population is composed of residents with indigeneous beliefs. Kambili's family is Christian. Her grandfather falls into the indigeneous category. Aunty Ifeoma represents the country's population that believe in Christianity or Muslim, but include indigeneious beliefs, as well. Aunty Ifeoma is Christian, but believes in a worship style much different than Kambili's father. The religious strife is still present in modern day Nigeria. The following websites may be explored for additional information on Nigeria:
Kwintessential
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/nigeria.html
Virtual Tourist: The People Behind the Places
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Africa/Nigeria/TravelGuide-Nigeria.html
Info Please: All the Knowledge You Need to Know
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107847.html
United States Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria
http://nigeria.usembassy.gov/about_nigeria.html
Discovery Education
http://www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers
An assignment you can implement to garner interest in Nigeria and that part of the world is the Nigerian Travel Brochure. Kambili travels to visit her aunt and her aunt visits the city of Lagos, Nigeria in the novel. Students may utilize the websites above along with their school and local libraries to gather the information to complete the travel brochure.
NIGERIAN TRAVEL BROCHURE PROJECT
Using typing paper (any color) and colored pencils, you are to create a travel brochure for someone travelling to Nigeria. Fold the sheet in thirds to resemble a travel brochure. For each surface of the paper you must plan something to promote the travel to that part of the world.
The cover is usually the title page. The inside pages are to promote a minimum of three stops on their trip to Nigeria. Each area promoted must have a short paragraph describing it in only the most glowing of terms. On the back, you are to provide information about where to call to book the tour. You can also include advertisements for supplies or companies that might provide things or services for your tour, or testimonial account of people who have taken the tour and were thrilled with the outcome and adventure.
You will be graded on the following criteria for the assignment. Follow the instructions and have fun!
Followed Instructions
Factual/accurate terms
Three stops with paragraphs
Back Page information
Graphics
Creativity
Spelling/Grammar
Neatly written
-Taken from a template at the Discovery Education website http://www.DiscoveryEducation.com
-Please find Grading Rubric located at the bottom of this page.
________________________________________________________________
The teacher may choose to include a mini-lesson on Nigeria's colonization by Great Britain. Nigeria became a free country in 1960. The book mentions references to the Biafra War which began in 1967 and ended in 1970. Kambili learns of a mail bomb killing one of her father's employees. This civil war resulted in 1 million to 3 million Nigerians deaths. Most were from starvation. The teacher may allow the students to compare/contrast the Biafra War with the civil unrest found in many parts of the world today.
Another assignment may be to explore the differences in Nigeria in 1970 compared with Nigeria in 2011. How is present day Nigeria different from the Nigeria that Kambili describes in Purple Hibiscus? Be specific with what you want the students to research and write about. The following websites explain the Biafra War and provide information about one of its key players. Odumeguw Ojukwu died in November 2011. Ojukwu was the Igb0 Colonel who fought for the Republic of Biafra. The last website provides the thoughts and beliefs of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who was previously the executive Governor of Lagos State. He longs to see Nigerians unite to allow their country to grow and prosper. He would like for Ojukwu's legacy to be one of healing and advancement for Nigerians.
Global Security Website
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/biafra.htm
The Nation: Truth in Defence of Freedom
http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/27705-tinubu%3A-his-death-
reminder-of-nigeria%E2%80%99s-federalism-problem.html
The Nigerian Voice: The Nigeria Resource Center
http://www.thenigerianvoice.com/nvnews/51240/1/tinubu-the-enigma-the-democrat.html
The Official Website of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu
http://asiwajubolatinubu.com/
History World: History of Nigeria
http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ad41
__________________________________________________________
Children in Nigeria face many obstacles such as poverty and the AIDS epidemic in their country. Adichie's Kambili was from a wealthy family in Nigeria; however, her Aunt Ifeoma struggles to feed her family. The website Save the Children lists that 1 in 5 Nigerian children die before reaching their 5th birthday. Students can be made aware of these harsh facts. Many of the websites list ways to help these children through donations. Students may want to collect pennies for a class project to help Nigerian children. This small project may bring awareness to a great problem. It is also a way that students can see that they can make a difference. The following websites provide information about the plight of many children in Nigeria:
Unicef: At a Glance Australia
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/australia_60326.html
Blueprint For Truth and Justice
http://www.blueprintng.com/new/index.php/news/weekleaks-a-nation/208-nation/1318-are-nigerian-children-endangered-species
Save the Children: Nigeria
http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/where-we-work/africa/nigeria
____________________________________________________________________
The theme of physical abuse runs throughout this novel. Adichie's Kambili, Jaja, and the mother all suffer physical and mental abuse from the father. The teacher may use this platform to address child abuse found in our culture. The teacher may research local statistics in his/her city to relay to the students. Several great resources may be your local Abuse Alternative Chapter, YMCA, or local Child Protection Agency. They will have brochures you may obtain to have available in your classroom. This may be a opportune time to have a guidance counselor/social worker come to the class for a short lecture/discussion on child abuse. The teacher may have the students write a one page paper on the topic describing what they have learned through the study and lecture.
Websites that provide information and statistic are the following:
Prevent Child Abuse America
http://www.preventchildabuse.org/publications/parents/downloads/ten_ways_to_prevent.pdf
Teens Health from Nemours
http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/relationships/abuse.html
Center for Child Protection and Family Support
http://stopchildabusenow.org/report_abuse.htm
_______________________________________________________________________
2012 World Olympics
Students will be beginning to hear information about the upcoming 2012 World Olympics that are to be held in London, England. (Nigeria was colonized by the United Kingdom) While students are reading this novel, they may be able to have contact with Nigerian students through the Olympic Dreams Network website. This website pairs up schools/students with other students throughout the world. The website lists information and activities that can be conducted in the classroom. This exciting writing activity can be utilized by the teacher registering his/her class on the website. After obtaining school permission, the teacher may begin the process of requesting Nigeria as a twin matchup.
British Broadcasting Corporation: World Class Olympic Dreams Network
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldclass/15385153
Another option may be researching Nigeria's Olympic Team. Check out their soccer team.
Kambili went to a soccer practice with Father Amadi. This may be an activity to generate interest for a student who does not appear to be enjoying the reading of the novel; it may pull him/her back into the discussions, etc. If the Olympics are on television during the teaching of this unit, find out if Nigeria is represented in the upcoming events. The news stations airing the Olympics will have schedules, etc. on their websites.
Be creative with writing assignments. Find out which sports they are interested in and design a writing assignment around the sport and athletes. Remember to keep the Nigerian teams in the forefront to continue tying the assignment back to the reading of the novel.
All Africa: Olympics
http://allafrica.com/olympics/bydate/
Surrey County Council: Nigeria
http://www.gosurrey.info/about-us/news/nigeria-to-train-in-surrey-ahe/
_______________________________________________________________________