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OVERVIEW In this lesson, students will practice writing, listening, discussion and research skills as they compare and contrast global economic models of oil exchange and examine the impacts of these models on local communities. Video clips provided with this lesson are from the film Big Men. Over five years, director Rachel Boynton and her cinematographer film the quest for oil in Ghana by the Dallas-based company Kosmos Energy. The company develops the country's first commercial oil field, yet its success is quickly compromised by political intrigue and accusations of corruption. POV offers a lending library of DVDs that you can borrow anytime during the school year — FOR FREE! Get started by joining our Community Network. OBJECTIVES By the end of this lesson, students will: GRADE LEVELS 9 — 12 SUBJECT AREAS Culture Economics Politics World Government MATERIALS ESTIMATED TIME NEEDED One 50-minute class period and additional time to review extension activities FILM CLIPS Note: The following contain some details and complex information. It may be helpful to ask students to take notes during the clips, then take a moment to recap what they learned after viewing. Clip 1: Oil Discovery: Ghana (Length: 7:00) The clip begins at 3:00 with a helicopter flying above Ghana's oil field and ends at 10:00 with Jim Musselman, CEO of Kosmos Energy, speaking at the Ashanti king's reception. Clip 2: The American Model (Length: 2:46) The clip begins at 14:06 with the director's voice saying, "The American model for people making money off a single oil well is . . ." and ends at 16:52 with Musselman saying, "That's, pure and simple, what it's all about." Clip 3: The Benefits of Big Oil (Length: 5:00) The clip begins at 29:42 with a caption about Kosmos' contract and ends at 34:42. ACTIVITIES 1. Oil Discovery: Ghana Show Clip 1. Invite students to discuss their thoughts about the Jubilee field discovery. Ask students to: (10 minutes) 2. The History of Oil Production in the United States Show Clip 2. Provide students with copies of "Oil Industry" from History.com http://www.history.com/topics/oil-industry/print. (15 minutes) 3. The Oil Industry: Privately Owned vs. Publicly Owned Companies Provide students with copies of the article "The Long Shadow of the Invisible Hand." Invite students to take turns reading excerpts from the article aloud (Paragraphs 1, 3, 5, 6).  
  1. What are the benefits and drawbacks of each model?
  2. Using examples from the film clips and the article, determine how each model might be vulnerable to corruption.
  3. Who should control oil and who should benefit from the revenues?
  4. What kind of regulations are needed in each model?
(25 minutes) EXTENSION Nigeria: A Case Study Ask students to copy the diagram linked here into their notebooks and use the Venn diagram to identify what they know about oil production in Ghana and Nigeria. (10 minutes) b) Distribute copies of the Guardian article "Oil in Nigeria: A History of Spills, Fines and Fights for Rights" (August 4, 2011) by Adam Vaughan http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/aug/04/oil-nigeria-spills-fines-fights. Divide students into groups of three or four and invite each group to read the article. Ask students to determine the main idea of the article and to identify three supporting details. Invite each group to share its results. (15 minutes) RESOURCES Big Men www.bigmenthemovie.com For more details about the film, including reviews and interviews with the director, visit the film's website. POV www.pbs.org/pov/bigmen The POV site for the film includes a more comprehensive discussion guide with additional discussion prompts and activity suggestions. BBC News: "In Pictures: Polluting Nigeria" http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/04/africa_polluting_nigeria/html/1.stm This short photo exposé depicts the effects of oil processing on Nigeria's environment. Bloomberg Businessweek: "Oil Thieves of the Niger Delta" http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-02-20/nigerias-delta-oil-thieves-scrape-out-a-precarious-living#p1 In this 2014 article, author Alexis Okeowo interviews Nigerians who process crude oil, without the government's permission in order to earn a living. Covering Oil: A Reporter's Guide to Energy and Development www.opensocietyfoundations.org/publications/covering-oil-reporters-guide-energy-and-development This guidebook (available for download) developed by the Open Society Foundation's Revenue Watch program and the Initiative for Policy Dialogue is designed for journalists covering oil issues and provides a comprehensive overview of the global oil industry. EJOLT Report: "A Jubilee for the Offshore Jubilee Field, Ghana." http://www.ejolt.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/130520_EJOLT6_Low2.pdf This article in a report on energy production specifically addresses the Jubilee field. Ghana www.ghana.gov.gh/ The official web portal of the Ghanaian government provides information about the country of Ghana. Ghana National Petroleum Corporation www.gnpcghana.com This website includes history and current information on Ghana's agreements with oil companies to develop its petroleum resources. Kosmos Energy www.kosmosenergy.com The corporation featured in the film has a website that shares its earnings reports and information about its operations in Ghana. KPMG: "Oil and Gas in Africa: Africa's Reserves, Potential and Prospects" https://www.kpmg.com/Africa/en/IssuesAndInsights/Articles-Publications/Documents/Oil%20and%20Gas%20in%20Africa.pdf This 2014 report from one of the world's largest auditing firms looks at the effect of oil on the economies of various African countries. Public Interest and Accountability Committee, Republic of Ghana http://piacghana.org/ This is the website of a committee that conducts independent assessments and publishes annual and semi-annual reports on the management of oil revenues in Ghana. National Public Radio: "With Oil Set To Flow, Ghana Ponders The Future" http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130860904 This October 2010 article by Ofeibea Quist-Arcton analyzes the possible "blights or blessings" of the Jubilee field in Ghana. STANDARDS Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects McREL a compilation of content standards and benchmarks for K-12 curriculum by McREL (Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning) Economics ABOUT THE AUTHOR Stephanie Joy Tisdale is an educator and the associate editor of The Liberator Magazine. She has spent the last 10 years teaching elementary, middle and high school students. She now works as a curriculum writer and consultant." ["post_title"]=> string(62) "Big Men: Lesson Plan: Global Economics: Big Men Versus Big Oil" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(219) "In this lesson, students will practice writing, listening, discussion and research skills as they compare and contrast global economic models of oil exchange and examine the impacts of these models on local communities." 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Download the Lesson Plan

Jump to:
OVERVIEW In this lesson, students will practice writing, listening, discussion and research skills as they compare and contrast global economic models of oil exchange and examine the impacts of these models on local communities. Video clips provided with this lesson are from the film Big Men. Over five years, director Rachel Boynton and her cinematographer film the quest for oil in Ghana by the Dallas-based company Kosmos Energy. The company develops the country's first commercial oil field, yet its success is quickly compromised by political intrigue and accusations of corruption. POV offers a lending library of DVDs that you can borrow anytime during the school year — FOR FREE! Get started by joining our Community Network. OBJECTIVES By the end of this lesson, students will: GRADE LEVELS 9 — 12 SUBJECT AREAS Culture Economics Politics World Government MATERIALS ESTIMATED TIME NEEDED One 50-minute class period and additional time to review extension activities FILM CLIPS Note: The following contain some details and complex information. It may be helpful to ask students to take notes during the clips, then take a moment to recap what they learned after viewing. Clip 1: Oil Discovery: Ghana (Length: 7:00) The clip begins at 3:00 with a helicopter flying above Ghana's oil field and ends at 10:00 with Jim Musselman, CEO of Kosmos Energy, speaking at the Ashanti king's reception. Clip 2: The American Model (Length: 2:46) The clip begins at 14:06 with the director's voice saying, "The American model for people making money off a single oil well is . . ." and ends at 16:52 with Musselman saying, "That's, pure and simple, what it's all about." Clip 3: The Benefits of Big Oil (Length: 5:00) The clip begins at 29:42 with a caption about Kosmos' contract and ends at 34:42. ACTIVITIES 1. Oil Discovery: Ghana Show Clip 1. Invite students to discuss their thoughts about the Jubilee field discovery. Ask students to: (10 minutes) 2. The History of Oil Production in the United States Show Clip 2. Provide students with copies of "Oil Industry" from History.com http://www.history.com/topics/oil-industry/print. (15 minutes) 3. The Oil Industry: Privately Owned vs. Publicly Owned Companies Provide students with copies of the article "The Long Shadow of the Invisible Hand." Invite students to take turns reading excerpts from the article aloud (Paragraphs 1, 3, 5, 6).  
  1. What are the benefits and drawbacks of each model?
  2. Using examples from the film clips and the article, determine how each model might be vulnerable to corruption.
  3. Who should control oil and who should benefit from the revenues?
  4. What kind of regulations are needed in each model?
(25 minutes) EXTENSION Nigeria: A Case Study Ask students to copy the diagram linked here into their notebooks and use the Venn diagram to identify what they know about oil production in Ghana and Nigeria. (10 minutes) b) Distribute copies of the Guardian article "Oil in Nigeria: A History of Spills, Fines and Fights for Rights" (August 4, 2011) by Adam Vaughan http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/aug/04/oil-nigeria-spills-fines-fights. Divide students into groups of three or four and invite each group to read the article. Ask students to determine the main idea of the article and to identify three supporting details. Invite each group to share its results. (15 minutes) RESOURCES Big Men www.bigmenthemovie.com For more details about the film, including reviews and interviews with the director, visit the film's website. POV www.pbs.org/pov/bigmen The POV site for the film includes a more comprehensive discussion guide with additional discussion prompts and activity suggestions. BBC News: "In Pictures: Polluting Nigeria" http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/04/africa_polluting_nigeria/html/1.stm This short photo exposé depicts the effects of oil processing on Nigeria's environment. Bloomberg Businessweek: "Oil Thieves of the Niger Delta" http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-02-20/nigerias-delta-oil-thieves-scrape-out-a-precarious-living#p1 In this 2014 article, author Alexis Okeowo interviews Nigerians who process crude oil, without the government's permission in order to earn a living. Covering Oil: A Reporter's Guide to Energy and Development www.opensocietyfoundations.org/publications/covering-oil-reporters-guide-energy-and-development This guidebook (available for download) developed by the Open Society Foundation's Revenue Watch program and the Initiative for Policy Dialogue is designed for journalists covering oil issues and provides a comprehensive overview of the global oil industry. EJOLT Report: "A Jubilee for the Offshore Jubilee Field, Ghana." http://www.ejolt.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/130520_EJOLT6_Low2.pdf This article in a report on energy production specifically addresses the Jubilee field. Ghana www.ghana.gov.gh/ The official web portal of the Ghanaian government provides information about the country of Ghana. Ghana National Petroleum Corporation www.gnpcghana.com This website includes history and current information on Ghana's agreements with oil companies to develop its petroleum resources. Kosmos Energy www.kosmosenergy.com The corporation featured in the film has a website that shares its earnings reports and information about its operations in Ghana. KPMG: "Oil and Gas in Africa: Africa's Reserves, Potential and Prospects" https://www.kpmg.com/Africa/en/IssuesAndInsights/Articles-Publications/Documents/Oil%20and%20Gas%20in%20Africa.pdf This 2014 report from one of the world's largest auditing firms looks at the effect of oil on the economies of various African countries. Public Interest and Accountability Committee, Republic of Ghana http://piacghana.org/ This is the website of a committee that conducts independent assessments and publishes annual and semi-annual reports on the management of oil revenues in Ghana. National Public Radio: "With Oil Set To Flow, Ghana Ponders The Future" http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130860904 This October 2010 article by Ofeibea Quist-Arcton analyzes the possible "blights or blessings" of the Jubilee field in Ghana. STANDARDS Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects McREL a compilation of content standards and benchmarks for K-12 curriculum by McREL (Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning) Economics ABOUT THE AUTHOR Stephanie Joy Tisdale is an educator and the associate editor of The Liberator Magazine. She has spent the last 10 years teaching elementary, middle and high school students. She now works as a curriculum writer and consultant." ["post_title"]=> string(62) "Big Men: Lesson Plan: Global Economics: Big Men Versus Big Oil" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(219) "In this lesson, students will practice writing, listening, discussion and research skills as they compare and contrast global economic models of oil exchange and examine the impacts of these models on local communities." 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Download the Lesson Plan

Jump to:
OVERVIEW In this lesson, students will practice writing, listening, discussion and research skills as they compare and contrast global economic models of oil exchange and examine the impacts of these models on local communities. Video clips provided with this lesson are from the film Big Men. Over five years, director Rachel Boynton and her cinematographer film the quest for oil in Ghana by the Dallas-based company Kosmos Energy. The company develops the country's first commercial oil field, yet its success is quickly compromised by political intrigue and accusations of corruption. POV offers a lending library of DVDs that you can borrow anytime during the school year — FOR FREE! Get started by joining our Community Network. OBJECTIVES By the end of this lesson, students will: GRADE LEVELS 9 — 12 SUBJECT AREAS Culture Economics Politics World Government MATERIALS ESTIMATED TIME NEEDED One 50-minute class period and additional time to review extension activities FILM CLIPS Note: The following contain some details and complex information. It may be helpful to ask students to take notes during the clips, then take a moment to recap what they learned after viewing. Clip 1: Oil Discovery: Ghana (Length: 7:00) The clip begins at 3:00 with a helicopter flying above Ghana's oil field and ends at 10:00 with Jim Musselman, CEO of Kosmos Energy, speaking at the Ashanti king's reception. Clip 2: The American Model (Length: 2:46) The clip begins at 14:06 with the director's voice saying, "The American model for people making money off a single oil well is . . ." and ends at 16:52 with Musselman saying, "That's, pure and simple, what it's all about." Clip 3: The Benefits of Big Oil (Length: 5:00) The clip begins at 29:42 with a caption about Kosmos' contract and ends at 34:42. ACTIVITIES 1. Oil Discovery: Ghana Show Clip 1. Invite students to discuss their thoughts about the Jubilee field discovery. Ask students to: (10 minutes) 2. The History of Oil Production in the United States Show Clip 2. Provide students with copies of "Oil Industry" from History.com http://www.history.com/topics/oil-industry/print. (15 minutes) 3. The Oil Industry: Privately Owned vs. Publicly Owned Companies Provide students with copies of the article "The Long Shadow of the Invisible Hand." Invite students to take turns reading excerpts from the article aloud (Paragraphs 1, 3, 5, 6).  
  1. What are the benefits and drawbacks of each model?
  2. Using examples from the film clips and the article, determine how each model might be vulnerable to corruption.
  3. Who should control oil and who should benefit from the revenues?
  4. What kind of regulations are needed in each model?
(25 minutes) EXTENSION Nigeria: A Case Study Ask students to copy the diagram linked here into their notebooks and use the Venn diagram to identify what they know about oil production in Ghana and Nigeria. (10 minutes) b) Distribute copies of the Guardian article "Oil in Nigeria: A History of Spills, Fines and Fights for Rights" (August 4, 2011) by Adam Vaughan http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/aug/04/oil-nigeria-spills-fines-fights. Divide students into groups of three or four and invite each group to read the article. Ask students to determine the main idea of the article and to identify three supporting details. Invite each group to share its results. (15 minutes) RESOURCES Big Men www.bigmenthemovie.com For more details about the film, including reviews and interviews with the director, visit the film's website. POV www.pbs.org/pov/bigmen The POV site for the film includes a more comprehensive discussion guide with additional discussion prompts and activity suggestions. BBC News: "In Pictures: Polluting Nigeria" http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/04/africa_polluting_nigeria/html/1.stm This short photo exposé depicts the effects of oil processing on Nigeria's environment. Bloomberg Businessweek: "Oil Thieves of the Niger Delta" http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-02-20/nigerias-delta-oil-thieves-scrape-out-a-precarious-living#p1 In this 2014 article, author Alexis Okeowo interviews Nigerians who process crude oil, without the government's permission in order to earn a living. Covering Oil: A Reporter's Guide to Energy and Development www.opensocietyfoundations.org/publications/covering-oil-reporters-guide-energy-and-development This guidebook (available for download) developed by the Open Society Foundation's Revenue Watch program and the Initiative for Policy Dialogue is designed for journalists covering oil issues and provides a comprehensive overview of the global oil industry. EJOLT Report: "A Jubilee for the Offshore Jubilee Field, Ghana." http://www.ejolt.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/130520_EJOLT6_Low2.pdf This article in a report on energy production specifically addresses the Jubilee field. Ghana www.ghana.gov.gh/ The official web portal of the Ghanaian government provides information about the country of Ghana. Ghana National Petroleum Corporation www.gnpcghana.com This website includes history and current information on Ghana's agreements with oil companies to develop its petroleum resources. Kosmos Energy www.kosmosenergy.com The corporation featured in the film has a website that shares its earnings reports and information about its operations in Ghana. KPMG: "Oil and Gas in Africa: Africa's Reserves, Potential and Prospects" https://www.kpmg.com/Africa/en/IssuesAndInsights/Articles-Publications/Documents/Oil%20and%20Gas%20in%20Africa.pdf This 2014 report from one of the world's largest auditing firms looks at the effect of oil on the economies of various African countries. Public Interest and Accountability Committee, Republic of Ghana http://piacghana.org/ This is the website of a committee that conducts independent assessments and publishes annual and semi-annual reports on the management of oil revenues in Ghana. National Public Radio: "With Oil Set To Flow, Ghana Ponders The Future" http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130860904 This October 2010 article by Ofeibea Quist-Arcton analyzes the possible "blights or blessings" of the Jubilee field in Ghana. STANDARDS Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects McREL a compilation of content standards and benchmarks for K-12 curriculum by McREL (Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning) Economics ABOUT THE AUTHOR Stephanie Joy Tisdale is an educator and the associate editor of The Liberator Magazine. She has spent the last 10 years teaching elementary, middle and high school students. She now works as a curriculum writer and consultant." ["post_title"]=> string(62) "Big Men: Lesson Plan: Global Economics: Big Men Versus Big Oil" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(219) "In this lesson, students will practice writing, listening, discussion and research skills as they compare and contrast global economic models of oil exchange and examine the impacts of these models on local communities." 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Big Men: Lesson Plan: Global Economics: Big Men Versus Big Oil

POV

Download the Lesson Plan

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OVERVIEW
In this lesson, students will practice writing, listening, discussion and research skills as they compare and contrast global economic models of oil exchange and examine the impacts of these models on local communities.

Video clips provided with this lesson are from the film Big Men. Over five years, director Rachel Boynton and her cinematographer film the quest for oil in Ghana by the Dallas-based company Kosmos Energy. The company develops the country's first commercial oil field, yet its success is quickly compromised by political intrigue and accusations of corruption.

POV offers a lending library of DVDs that you can borrow anytime during the school year -- FOR FREE! Get started by joining our Community Network.
OBJECTIVES

By the end of this lesson, students will:

GRADE LEVELS
9 -- 12

SUBJECT AREAS
Culture
Economics
Politics
World Government

MATERIALS

ESTIMATED TIME NEEDED
One 50-minute class period and additional time to review extension activities

FILM CLIPS
Note: The following contain some details and complex information. It may be helpful to ask students to take notes during the clips, then take a moment to recap what they learned after viewing.

Clip 1: Oil Discovery: Ghana (Length: 7:00)
The clip begins at 3:00 with a helicopter flying above Ghana's oil field and ends at 10:00 with Jim Musselman, CEO of Kosmos Energy, speaking at the Ashanti king's reception.

Clip 2: The American Model (Length: 2:46)
The clip begins at 14:06 with the director's voice saying, "The American model for people making money off a single oil well is . . ." and ends at 16:52 with Musselman saying, "That's, pure and simple, what it's all about."

Clip 3: The Benefits of Big Oil (Length: 5:00)
The clip begins at 29:42 with a caption about Kosmos' contract and ends at 34:42.

ACTIVITIES

1. Oil Discovery: Ghana
Show Clip 1. Invite students to discuss their thoughts about the Jubilee field discovery. Ask students to:

(10 minutes)

2. The History of Oil Production in the United States

Show Clip 2. Provide students with copies of "Oil Industry" from History.com http://www.history.com/topics/oil-industry/print.

(15 minutes)

3. The Oil Industry: Privately Owned vs. Publicly Owned Companies

Provide students with copies of the article "The Long Shadow of the Invisible Hand." Invite students to take turns reading excerpts from the article aloud (Paragraphs 1, 3, 5, 6).

 

  1. What are the benefits and drawbacks of each model?
  2. Using examples from the film clips and the article, determine how each model might be vulnerable to corruption.
  3. Who should control oil and who should benefit from the revenues?
  4. What kind of regulations are needed in each model?

(25 minutes)

EXTENSION

Nigeria: A Case Study

Ask students to copy the diagram linked here into their notebooks and use the Venn diagram to identify what they know about oil production in Ghana and Nigeria. (10 minutes)

b) Distribute copies of the Guardian article "Oil in Nigeria: A History of Spills, Fines and Fights for Rights" (August 4, 2011) by Adam Vaughan http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/aug/04/oil-nigeria-spills-fines-fights. Divide students into groups of three or four and invite each group to read the article. Ask students to determine the main idea of the article and to identify three supporting details. Invite each group to share its results. (15 minutes)

RESOURCES

Big Men
www.bigmenthemovie.com
For more details about the film, including reviews and interviews with the director, visit the film's website.

POV
www.pbs.org/pov/bigmen
The POV site for the film includes a more comprehensive discussion guide with additional discussion prompts and activity suggestions.

BBC News: "In Pictures: Polluting Nigeria"
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/04/africa_polluting_nigeria/html/1.stm
This short photo exposé depicts the effects of oil processing on Nigeria's environment.

Bloomberg Businessweek: "Oil Thieves of the Niger Delta"
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-02-20/nigerias-delta-oil-thieves-scrape-out-a-precarious-living#p1
In this 2014 article, author Alexis Okeowo interviews Nigerians who process crude oil, without the government's permission in order to earn a living.

Covering Oil: A Reporter's Guide to Energy and Development
www.opensocietyfoundations.org/publications/covering-oil-reporters-guide-energy-and-development
This guidebook (available for download) developed by the Open Society Foundation's Revenue Watch program and the Initiative for Policy Dialogue is designed for journalists covering oil issues and provides a comprehensive overview of the global oil industry.

EJOLT Report: "A Jubilee for the Offshore Jubilee Field, Ghana."
http://www.ejolt.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/130520_EJOLT6_Low2.pdf
This article in a report on energy production specifically addresses the Jubilee field.

Ghana
www.ghana.gov.gh/
The official web portal of the Ghanaian government provides information about the country of Ghana.

Ghana National Petroleum Corporation
www.gnpcghana.com
This website includes history and current information on Ghana's agreements with oil companies to develop its petroleum resources.

Kosmos Energy
www.kosmosenergy.com
The corporation featured in the film has a website that shares its earnings reports and information about its operations in Ghana.

KPMG: "Oil and Gas in Africa: Africa's Reserves, Potential and Prospects"
https://www.kpmg.com/Africa/en/IssuesAndInsights/Articles-Publications/Documents/Oil%20and%20Gas%20in%20Africa.pdf
This 2014 report from one of the world's largest auditing firms looks at the effect of oil on the economies of various African countries.

Public Interest and Accountability Committee, Republic of Ghana
http://piacghana.org/
This is the website of a committee that conducts independent assessments and publishes annual and semi-annual reports on the management of oil revenues in Ghana.

National Public Radio: "With Oil Set To Flow, Ghana Ponders The Future"
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130860904
This October 2010 article by Ofeibea Quist-Arcton analyzes the possible "blights or blessings" of the Jubilee field in Ghana.

STANDARDS

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects

McREL a compilation of content standards and benchmarks for K-12 curriculum by McREL (Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning)

Economics

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stephanie Joy Tisdale is an educator and the associate editor of The Liberator Magazine. She has spent the last 10 years teaching elementary, middle and high school students. She now works as a curriculum writer and consultant.