Name ___________________ Date _____ Class ____ _

Physical Geography of Africa South of the Sahara

DiHerentiated Instruction

Kilimanjaro At 19,340 feet (5,895 m), Kilimanjaro in northeastern Tanzania

is the highest peak in Africa. In 1848 German missionary Johannes Rebmann became the first European to see Kilimanjaro. He translated the name to mean "mountain of greatness." Others say it means "shining mountain," "white mountain," or "mountain of water." In October 1889, Hans Meyer and Ludwig Purtscheller, led by native guide Yohanne Lauwo, were the first Europeans to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro. Meyer named the summit after the emperor of Germany, Kaiser Wilhelm Spitze. When Tanzania gained its independence in 1961, however, it changed the name to Uhuru Peak. (Uhuru is Swahili for "freedom.")

Kilimanjaro is a giant, inactive volcano. The mountain consists of three major volcanic craters: Kibo, Shira, and Mawenzi. Geologists think Kilimanjaro was formed when molten magma (melted rock) was pushed out of cracks in the Earth's surface due to movements in the tectonic plates (pieces of the Earth's crust) that make up the Great Rift Valley. Scientists believe molten magma lies just 1,300 feet (396 m) below Kibo crater.

A Tourist Destination Kilimanjaro is one of the most popular mountains in the world for climbers. Of the nearly 15,000 visitors to Kilimanjaro every year, about 40 percent reach the summit. The final leg of the climb, from Kibo hut at 15,500 feet (4,724 m) to the top, is usually done at night because the scree (broken rock fragments) is frozen together, which makes climbing much easier. On average, 10 people die each year attempting to climb Kilimanjaro. A successful ascent to the summit involves walking about 50 to 60 miles (80 to 97 km). Climbers pass through five distinct climate and vegetation zones: savanna, coniferous forest, steppe, alpine desert, and glacial summit.

Directions: On a separate sheet of paper, answer the following questions.

1. Explaining How do scientists believe Kilimanjaro was formed?

2. Drawing Conclusions Why do you think Tanzania changed the name of Kilimanjaro's summit to Uhuru Peak when it gained independence in 1961?

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Teaching Strategies for Different Learning Styles

The following activities are ways the basic lesson can be modified to accommodate students' different learning styles.

English Learners (EL)

Ask students to answer the following questions: (1) How high is Kilimanjaro? [19,340 feet (5,895 m)} (2) In what country is Kilimanjaro located? [Tanzania} (3) How many climbers visit the mountain every year? [15,OOO} (4) Who helped Hans Meyer and Ludwig Purtscheller reach the top of Kiliman­jaro? [native guide Yohanne Lauwo} (5) Define scree, tectonic plates, and molten magma. [scree­broken rock fragments; tectonic plates- pieces of Earth's crust; molten magma- melted rock}

Verbal/Linguistic; Intra personal Have students assume the role of a climber

keeping a daily journal of his or her ascent of Kilimanjaro. Students should research the experiences of real climbers to make their narratives more realistic.

Kinesthetic

Ask students to assemble a backpack of items they would need to take on a climb of Kilimanjaro. (Alternately, ask them to cre-ate a list of items to pack.) Remind them to consider the different climates and conditions they would face. What foods would they take? Should they take any important papers or identification? Compare students' lists and compile a master list on the board. (One climber's list can be read at: www.george­fisher. com I Personal I KiliPackingList.xls. )

Visual/Spatial

Assign students to map one of the main routes to the summit of Kilimanjaro, such as Marangu, Rongai, Machame-Mweka, Umbwe, Lemosho /Barafu, or Shira Plateau.

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Logical/Mathematical

Ask students to create a table that identi­fies and describes the climate and vegetation zones of Kilimanjaro. They should also name representative flora and fauna found in each zone.

Advanced Learners Assign students to write a two- to three­

page report about Ernest Hemingway's short story liThe Snows of Kilimanjaro," placing particular emphasis on the mountain's signifi­cance to the story.

Verbal/Linguistic; Interpersonal

Visitors to Kilimanjaro must be aware of a number of potential medical problems. Assign groups of students to research the symptoms of and ways to prevent (1) altitude sickness, (2) high-altitude pulmonary edema, and (3) high-altitude cerebral edema. Ask a fourth group to research the kinds of shots a trekker needs to get before visiting Kilimanjaro (e.g., yellow fever, typhoid).

Kinesthetic

Have students create accurate models of Kilimanjaro to display in class. Students' mod­els should indicate the mountain's different climate and vegetation zones.

Below Grade Level

RAFT (Role, Audience, Format, Topic) is a writing tool that directs students to look at a topic from a different perspective. Have students take on the Role of an experienced climber preparing novices (the Audience) for their first ascent of Kiiimanjaro. Students should choose the Format of a list and write five examples for the Topic of safe climbing behavior.