Georgia SS7G2.c

Social Studies7th GradeAfrica

The Standard

Explain the impact of desertification on the environment of Africa.

Georgia Standards of Excellence for Social Studies · Explain environmental issues across the continent of Africa.

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students explain how loss of plant cover and productive soil changes African environments. They connect desertification to erosion, reduced water supplies, habitat loss, and lower crop and grazing yields.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students can use a map, photograph, or short case study to identify environmental changes caused by desertification. They can explain a clear chain from vegetation loss to exposed soil, erosion, and reduced land productivity.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think desertification means an existing desert simply spreads outward. They may also blame drought alone, overlooking overgrazing, deforestation, poor farming methods, and climate patterns.
How to Assess It: Give students a photo of degraded land in the Sahel. Ask them to name two environmental impacts and explain how one could lead to another.

Lesson moves

Spray equal amounts of water on trays of planted and bare soil, then compare runoff, erosion, and water absorption.
Show before-and-after land photos and ask students to write how vegetation loss affects soil, water, wildlife, and farming.
Give pairs cause-and-effect cards about desertification, then have them build and defend a correct impact chain.
Have students advise a Sahel farmer by choosing two land practices that reduce soil loss and explaining each choice.

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