This document provides information and instructions for a lesson on conflict diamonds in Sierra Leone. It begins with key objectives of analyzing natural resources and their role in a country's prosperity. Students will take notes in their interactive notebooks on conflict diamonds and watch a documentary on the topic. They will then have a choice of assignments, such as writing a rap or poem about conflict diamonds or conducting research on whether Dubai stores sell conflict diamonds. The goal is for students to understand how diamonds have impacted Sierra Leone and be engaged global citizens.

1. Entry Task:
1.) What are natural resources?
Give three examples of natural
resources.
2.) Explain the following statement:
“Africa is diverse in its natural
resources.” What does this mean?

2. Objectives:
• The students will be able to analyze
the natural resources of a place.
• The students will be able to analyze
the role natural resources play in a
country’s prosperity.
Standard 1: Time, Continuity and Change
• Students will understand patterns of change and continuity, relationships
between people and events through time and various interpretations of these
relationships.
Standard 3: Geography
• Students will understand the interactions and relationships between human
societies and their physical environment.

3. Interactive Notebook:
• Date =
• Title = Conflict Diamonds
• Page # =

4. What are conflict diamonds?
What are conflict diamonds?
Why do you think they are called
blood or conflict diamonds?
Explain your reasoning.

5. According to the U.N…
United Nations Definition-
"...diamonds that come from areas
controlled by forces against fair and
internationally recognised
governments, and are used to fund
military action against those
governments.“
But what does this mean?

6. Investigating Conflict Diamonds:
1.Read the Informational Text –
posted on the Google Classroom.
2.Take notes in your Interactive
Notebook (Take notes to learn).
3.Discuss the text with your table.
4.Extension Task – explore the listed
websites for additional information.

7. • Share your understanding
of Africa’s natural
resources.
• What role do diamonds play
in Sierra Leone’s
prosperity?

8. Documentary:
• https://www.youtube.com/wa
tch?v=kRzb0AxO3CY

9. What’s the story?
”Stories matter, many stories matter. When we reject the single story, when we realize that
there is never a single story about any place, we regain a kind of paradise.”

10. What’s the story?
”Stories matter, many stories matter. When we reject the single story, when we realize that
there is never a single story about any place, we regain a kind of paradise.”

11. What’s the story?
”Stories matter, many stories matter. When we reject the single story, when we realize that
there is never a single story about any place, we regain a kind of paradise.”
What does this person have to do with
blood diamonds?

12. What does Kanye West have to
do with blood diamonds?
Kanye West wrote a song to increase
awareness of blood diamond in Sierra
Leone.
“Diamonds from Sierra Leone”

13. Lyrical Analysis:
• Hip hop artist Kanye West won a
Grammy for "Diamonds from Sierra
Leone," the best rap song in 2006.
• The song won the award for its lyrics,
which bring awareness to the social
issue of conflict diamonds.

14. "Diamonds From Sierra Leone “
[Intro:]
Diamonds are forever
They're all I need to please me
Have no fear that they might
Leave me
[Chorus:]
"Diamonds are forever forever forever"
Throw ya diamonds in the sky
If you feel the vibe
"Diamonds are forever forever forever"
The RUF is still alive
Everytime I rhyme
"Forever and ever”
For ever ever? for ever ever? ever ever?
Ever ever? ever ever? ever ever? ever
ever?
[Verse 1:]
Good Morning, this ain't Vietnam still
People lose hands, legs, arms for real
Little was known of Sierra Leone
And how it connect to the diamonds we
own
When I speak of Diamonds in this song
I ain't talkin bout the ones that be glowin.
I'm talkin bout Rocafella, my home, my
chain.
These ain't conflict diamonds, is they
Jacob? Don't lie to me man.
See, a part of me sayin' keep shinin',
How? When I know of the blood
diamonds?
Though it's thousands of miles away
Sierra Leone connect to what we go
through today.

15. • What does this person have to
do with conflict diamonds?

16. This is a social issue.
• What is currently being done
internationally against the sale
of conflict diamonds?
• As citizens and consumers, what
can we do to help end wars
fueled by the sale of diamonds?
We are Global Citizens!

17. Option 1 –
Create you
own rap or
poem:
Using what you have found out today about blood diamonds create a rap or poem showing the
issues surrounding diamonds. You must be appropriate!
• You must use at least 5 key words.
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
Option 2 –
Write a letter:
Write a letter to an important figure in the entertainment industry.
Express your concerns about the wars in West Africa being fueled by the diamond trade.
 Make suggestions about how they could play a role in a solution to the problem.
– Ex: The artists making public service announcements for fans to only buy conflict-free
diamonds, give to charitable organizations involved in exposing the problem, etc.
Option 3 –
Conduct a
research
report:
Using reliable sources, conduct research to determine if stores in Dubai sell conflict diamonds.
• Write a report to Sheikh Mohammed sharing your research. Include all of the research you
found about the selling of diamonds in Dubai.
We are Global Citizens!

18. Creating our own rap or poem:
Using what you have found out today about
blood diamonds create a rap or poem
showing the issues surrounding diamonds.
• You must use at least 5 key words.
1. __________________________
2. __________________________
3. __________________________
4. __________________________
5. __________________________
• You must be appropriate.

19. • Write a letter to an important figure in
the entertainment industry.
• Express your concerns about the wars in
West Africa being fueled by the diamond
trade.
• Make suggestions about how they could
play a role in a solution to the problem.
– Ex: The artists using social media to bring
awareness of the issue. Tell fans to only buy
conflict-free diamonds, give to charitable
organizations involved in exposing the problem,
etc.
Write a letter:

20. Conduct a research report:
• Using reliable sources,
conduct research to
determine if stores in Dubai
sell conflict diamonds.
• Write a report to Sheikh
Mohammed sharing your
research.

21. • Option 1 – Write a rap or poem
– Tables 1 & 2
• Option 2 – Write a letter
–Tables 3 & 4
• Option 3 – Conduct a research
report
– Tables 5 & 6
• Collaborate with others!
• Everyone must produce a piece of work!

22. Objectives:
• The students will be able to analyze the natural resources of a
place.
• The students will be able to analyze the role natural resources
play in a country’s prosperity.
• In your Interactive Notebook,
describe the role diamonds have
played in the development of Sierra
Leone. Explain the issue of conflict
diamonds.
• Record any questions this
information has left you with.