Overview


Peanuts are an important part of the Gambia’s economy. But climate change and other factors have created challenges for growers and processors. In this lesson students identify problems and solutions and find ways to draw positive attention to some of the creative ways problems are being addressed.

The following activities and abridged text build off “Is the Sky the Limit for The Gambia’s Groundnuts?” written by Tristan Rutherford and photographed by Samantha Reinders.

Warm up


Summary: Before reading this article or doing the activities, hypothesize the main idea of the article and pose questions you predict the article will answer.

If you only have 15 minutes …


Summary: Complete a graphic organizer to examine problems facing the peanut industry in the Gambia and actions being taken to solve them.

Common Core Standard(s) Met:

CCRA.SL.5 Make strategic use of digital media and visual displays of data to express information and enhance understanding of presentations.

CCRA.R.1  Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.

If you only have 30 minutes …


Summary: Create publicity for a new business that is part of the revitalization of the Gambia’s groundnut industry.

Common Core Standard(s) Met:

CCRA.SL.4 Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

CCRA.SL.5 Make strategic use of digital media and visual displays of data to express information and enhance understanding of presentations.
CCRA.R.7 Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.

Visual Analysis


Summary: Analyze two photos of individuals, examining how a photographer’s choices about focus and context affect viewers.  

Common Core Standard(s) Met

CCRA.SL.2 Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.

CCRA.R.7 Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.