Virginia SOL 3.8.b

Social Studies3rd Grade

The Standard

connecting the geography of the ancient empire of Mali and its economy

Virginia Standards of Learning for History and Social Science

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students locate the Mali Empire in West Africa and identify the Niger River, Sahara Desert, savanna, and nearby resources. They explain how geography supported farming and gold and salt trade.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students use a map to trace trade routes across Mali and explain why towns grew near the Niger River. They connect natural resources and location to Mali’s wealth.
Common Misconceptions: Students may confuse the ancient empire with the present country of Mali. They may think all of Africa is desert or that Mali produced both gold and salt in the same places.
How to Assess It: Give students a map showing the Niger River, Sahara, gold regions, and salt mines. Ask them to write two sentences explaining how Mali’s location helped trade.

Lesson moves

Place resource cards on a West Africa map, then use yarn to build gold and salt trade routes through Mali.
Ask students to explain in writing why a trader might stop in a Mali city near the Niger River.
Play a matching game with geography cards and economy cards, such as Niger River and farming or Sahara routes and salt trade.
Compare Mali’s river and trade routes with local roads, rivers, and stores that help goods move through the community.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 3.8.b, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

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