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K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Wife inheritance and the AIDS epidemic in Africa

When an African man dies, it is the responsibility of his brother to inherit his widow. This has become a key factor in the spread of the AIDS virus. This plan looks at this tradition and the AIDS epidemic in African countries and students will discuss possible solutions in a Paideia seminar.

A lesson plan for grades 9–12 English Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies

By Greg Mitchell

Provided by Kenan Fellows Program

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  • AIDS in Africa Symposium: Students will take on roles of those with a unique perspective on the AIDS crisis in Africa. Taking part in a symposium, each character, famous and ordinary, makes a statement and participates in a question-answer period.
  • Mapping HIV infection in Africa: Using statistical information and maps, students will note the correlation between socio-economic factors and the impact of HIV/AIDS in the countries of Africa.
  • Diseases of Africa: Students will demonstrate an ability to research diseases in Africa and the causes, symptoms, treatment, and long-range solutions involving infrastructure development. They will compare and contrast countries and diseases. Working in groups, students will do research and prepare a multimedia presentation on the disease.

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Summary of activities

Learning outcomes

Students read an article and consider the following:

  • The complexity of the AIDS problem in Africa
  • How such a complex problem requires complex solutions
  • How different life is in Africa than it is in the U.S.
  • What is our responsibility in addressing this problem?

Teacher Planning

Time required for the lesson

This activity will take approximately 60 minutes — 10 minutes for reading the article and 50 minutes for discussion.

Materials/Resources

Activities

  1. Students should read the article from the Washington Post titled “Wife Inheritance Spurs AIDS Rise in Kenya” either in class or for homework.
  2. Hand out the discussion questions. These also can be given the day before the seminar so that students are prepared for the seminar.
  3. A Paideia seminar is a Socratic type of teaching which encourages students to express their thoughts on a subject. Arrange the classroom in two circles - an inner circle for the students who are speaking and an outer circle for the rest of the class. Everyone should have a turn in the inner circle. The teacher acts only as a facilitator posing the questions to the students in the inner circle. Students may speak freely about the questions and discuss each other’s opinions. It is important to remind students that they should be polite, speak only one at a time, listen carefully, and support their position with facts.

Assessment

Assessment is based on student participation in the seminar and their ability to support their position.

North Carolina curriculum alignment

Science (2005)

Grade 9–12 — Biology

  • Goal 4: The learner will develop an understanding of the unity and diversity of life.
    • Objective 4.03: Assess, describe and explain adaptations affecting survival and reproductive success.
      • Structural adaptations in plants and animals (form to function).
      • Disease-causing viruses and microorganisms.
      • Co-evolution.
    • Objective 4.04: Analyze and explain the interactive role of internal and external factors in health and disease:
      • Genetics.
      • Immune response.
      • Nutrition.
      • Parasites.
      • Toxins.

  • Common Core State Standards

    • English Language Arts (2010)

      • History/Social Studies

        • Grades 11-12
          • 11-12.LH.2 Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary that makes clear the relationships among the key details and ideas.
        • Grades 9-10
          • 9-10.LH.2 Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of how key events or ideas develop over the course of the text.

  • North Carolina Essential Standards

    • Social Studies (2010)

      • World History

        • WH.8 Analyze global interdependence and shifts in power in terms of political, economic, social and environmental changes and conflicts since the last half of the twentieth century. WH.8.1 Evaluate global wars in terms of how they challenged political and...