Published: 2026-04-26
Jerusalem's Hidden Gate
Learners read بوابة القدس الخفية by ابتسام بركات and practice memory activism, remembering our histories in order to safeguard places, peoples, and cultures threatened by erasure. After learning about the past, learners will better understand what is happening at the present through exploring what people and organizations are working to fight against occupation.
SUBJECTArabic Language Arts, Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
GRADE4th Grade
Learning Objectives
- I can study the past and present of Palestine. I understand that memory activism is a way I keep the true story of a place safe.
- I can make ethical judgments about events, decisions, or actions that consider the conditions of a particular time and place (BC Social Studies Grade 4)
- I can use Social Studies inquiry processes and skills to ask questions; gather, interpret, and analyze ideas; and communicate findings and decisions (BC Social Studies Grade 4)
Essential Questions
- If you had a magical portal, what place would you wish to enter through it and why?
- How can we use memory to keep a place alive?
- How can we protect a place that is being threatened? What do images remember? How can we use stories, memory and action to create change?
Lesson Plan
Materials
INCLUDED MATERIALS
NEEDED MATERIALS
- بوابة القدس الخفية, ابتسام بركات (illustrated by شارلوت شاما)
- A family photo (for the family-history activity)
- 2-3 printed images from the Palestinian Archive
Arabic Language Arts Mentor Text Lessons · 5 lessons
- 01What do seeds need?
- 02Comparing and Contrasting Character Traits
- 03Creating List Stories
- 04Memories for Sale
- 05You are hereJerusalem's Hidden Gate
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