Grade 7 Social Sciences Lesson Plan: The Settlers in Southern Africa

Grade 7 Social Sciences Lesson Plan: The Settlers in Southern Africa


Materials Needed:
– Textbooks on South African history
– Worksheets about the Settlers
– Projector or smartboard for presentations
– Markers and flip chart paper
– Access to the internet for research
– Video clips about the Settler history (if available)

Learning Objectives:
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
1. Identify who the Settlers were and their role in Southern African history.
2. Explain the reasons for their migration to Southern Africa.
3. Discuss the impact of the Settlers on the indigenous communities.
4. Create a timeline of key events related to the Settlers.

Vocabulary:
1. Settlers – People who move to a new area to live and establish a community.
2. Migration – The act of moving from one place to another, often for settlement.
3. Indigenous – The original inhabitants of a place, particularly before colonisation.
4. Colonisation – The process of establishing control over a foreign population.
5. Impact – The effect or influence of one thing on another.

Previous Learning:
In previous lessons, students learned about the early history of Southern Africa, including the indigenous societies and their lifestyles before the arrival of European colonisers. This background will help them understand the changes brought by the Settlers.

Anticipated Challenges and Solutions:
Challenge: Some students may struggle with understanding the perspectives of both Settlers and indigenous people.
Solution: Use paired discussions to allow students to explore and articulate different viewpoints.

  • Challenge: Lack of engagement in discussions.
    Solution: Incorporate role-play activities where students can act out historical scenarios.

Beginning Activities (4 minutes):
1. Introduce the lesson topic and objectives by asking the students what they know about Settlers in Southern Africa.
2. Show a brief video clip about the Settlers to pique interest.


Middle Activities (32 minutes):
1. Direct Instruction (10 minutes):
– Present an overview of the Settlers, focusing on their origins, reasons for migration, and settlement patterns. Use a projector for visual aids.

  1. Group Activity (15 minutes):
  2. Divide students into small groups. Each group will research different aspects such as:
    a. Origins of the Settlers
    b. Key figures among the Settlers
    c. Interaction with indigenous peoples
    d. Changes brought to the region
  3. Class Discussion (7 minutes):
  4. Reconvene and have each group present their findings. Facilitate a discussion on the impacts of Settlers on indigenous communities.

End Activities (4 minutes):
1. Exit Ticket (4 minutes):
– Ask students to write down one new thing they learned about the Settlers and one question they still have. Collect these at the end of the lesson.


Assessment and Checks for Understanding:
– Observe group discussions and presentations to assess understanding.
– Review exit tickets for insights into individual student comprehension and areas needing clarification.


Differentiation Strategies for Diverse Learners:
– Provide graphic organisers to help visual learners summarise key information.
– Offer reading materials at varying levels of complexity to cater to different reading abilities.
– Encourage advanced learners to explore more complex concepts such as the long-term cultural impacts of Settlers.


Teaching Notes:
This lesson fosters critical thinking as students analyse historical events and their consequences. Encourage respectful dialogue about differing perspectives to promote understanding and empathy. Ensure that materials are accessible for all learners, providing printed notes for those with hearing difficulties and ensuring online resources are navigable for students with limited technological skills.


This lesson plan is structured to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Settlers in Southern Africa, aligning with CAPS curriculum requirements while maintaining student engagement and participation.