Mansa Musa of Mali
I can describe how Musa Keita became the mansa of Mali.
Mansa Musa of Mali
I can describe how Musa Keita became the mansa of Mali.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Musa Keita was an important man living in the large and powerful empire of Mali.
- The mansa of Mali wanted to explore beyond the seas, and set off on a voyage into the Atlantic Ocean.
- He gave the instruction that if he did not return, Musa Keita should become the mansa.
- He never returned, and Musa became Mansa Musa, emperor of Mali.
- Mansa Musa used Mali's army to conquer lands rich with gold, making Mali even more powerful and wealthy.
Keywords
Empire - an empire is a group of places or countries ruled by one person
Mansa - all rulers of the Mali Empire were called mansas
Conquer - to conquer means to take control of another place
Wealthy - to be wealthy means having a lot of money
Common misconception
Pupils may think Musa Keita was meant to be mansa.
Musa Keita became mansa because the previous mansa did not return from his voyage and he chose Musa Keita to replace him.
To help you plan your year 2 history lesson on: Mansa Musa of Mali, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 2 history lesson on: Mansa Musa of Mali, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 history lessons from the Ruling and religion unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions
kept in one place without freedom to leave
to go against a leader
Exit quiz
6 Questions
a group of places or countries ruled by one person
name of the rulers of the Mali Empire
having a lot of money or resources
to take control of another place