Islam in medieval West Africa
I can describe the role played by Islam in the growth of the Mali Empire.
Islam in medieval West Africa
I can describe the role played by Islam in the growth of the Mali Empire.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Islam was the dominant religion throughout North Africa.
- Muslim traders helped other Muslim traders.
- The Islamic tradition prized literacy and education.
- Islamic thought influenced the culture of the Mali Empire.
- Many books were copied or written in the Mali Empire, and mosques were built to house some of these.
Keywords
Islam - Islam is the religion of Muslim people
Trade - trade means the exchange of goods
Muslim - a Muslim is a follower of the religion of Islam
Common misconception
Muslims mainly live in the Middle East.
Islam is the second most popular religion in the world, with Muslim-majority countries spread as far as Morocco in the west to Indonesia in the east.
To help you plan your year 7 history lesson on: Islam in medieval West Africa, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 7 history lesson on: Islam in medieval West Africa, 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 3 history lessons from the Medieval West Africa: why was medieval Mali so successful? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions
carried a golden bow along with a golden quiver full of golden arrows
nicknamed the ‘Lion Prince’ and ruled with respect
believed to be a sorcerer who used his powers to conquer the land