ROOT CURRICULUM SAMPLES

The All About Africa unit from the ROOT curriculum redefines traditional approaches to education by centering cultural relevance, equity, and empowerment. Unlike conventional curricula that often present Africa through a narrow or deficit-based lens, this unit celebrates the continent’s diversity, vibrancy, and global contributions. It encourages students to see Africa not as a monolithic entity but as a rich mosaic of landscapes, cultures, and histories, fostering pride and curiosity about the world around them.

This innovative unit provides a comprehensive suite of resources to ensure rigorous and engaging learning experiences:

• Unit Scope and Sequence: Clearly outlines the skills, content, and objectives covered.

• Unit Calendar: Offers a detailed roadmap for implementing the unit over four weeks.

• Editable Lesson Plan Template: Allows educators to tailor lessons to meet their students’ unique needs.

• Scripted Lesson Plans: Fully developed lessons to support educators, including scaffolds for differentiation.

• End-of-Unit Assessments and Projects: Includes performance-based assessments where students demonstrate their learning through creative, multimodal projects.

• Daily Written Assignments: Engages students in critical thinking and writing tied to the unit’s theme.

• Daily Math Story Problems: Connects mathematics to Africa’s geography, culture, and everyday life, fostering cross-disciplinary learning.

• Weekly Read-Alouds and Short Texts: Features original content created by By Any Means Consulting, including culturally affirming stories and informational texts.

This unit empowers educators to teach with intention and offers students a joyful, affirming experience that reflects their identities while expanding their understanding of the world. By incorporating original texts, interdisciplinary connections, and a focus on equity, the All About Africa unit disrupts traditional curriculum models and places students at the center of a meaningful, transformative learning journey.