Al-Jawza’ Folktale
Learners are introduced to the Al-Jawza’ folktale. Learners complete a gallery walk of the thinking routine “What do you already know? What do you wonder about? What have you learned today?”
Unit:AstronomyIncludes
AlJawza constellation images (slides 1-3), AlJawza folktale, Astronomy unit vocabulary
Astronomical Instruments
Learners explore the parts and function of different astronomical tools throughout the ages.
Unit:AstronomyIncludes
Astronomical tools thinking routine slides, Astronomical tools teacher guide
Rotation of the Earth
Learners are introduced to the rotation of the Earth through a video and the thinking routine ‘see, think, wonder.’ Learners read a short informational text about the rotation of the Earth and the patterns it creates.
Unit:AstronomyIncludes
Informational text about the rotation of the Earth, Astronomy unit vocabulary, Timelapse of the sun’s movement across the sky
Data
Learners explore the concept of a pattern and practice interpreting data.
Unit:AstronomyIncludes
Data lesson slides, Video of the rotation of the Earth, Astronomy unit vocabulary
Shadows
Learners investigate the relationship between shadows, an object and a light source and begin to understand that the rotation of the Earth causes a change in length and direction of shadows.
Unit:AstronomyIncludes
Timelapse of the sun’s movement across the sky
Shadows continued
Learners observe the relationship between shadows, an object and a light source by going outside and practicing scientific behaviors. Learners practice creating data about shadows.
Unit:AstronomyIncludes
Shadow tracker, Video of shadows changing throughout the day
Revolution of the Earth
Learners will be introduced to the revolution of the Earth and investigate a new pattern the movement of the Earth creates - the seasonal appearance of stars in the night sky. The investigation takes place through a folktale and an informational text.
Unit:AstronomyIncludes
Thuraya’s folktale, Informational text about the Earth’s revolution, Astronomy unit vocabulary, Video of the Earth revolving
Mapping exploration
Learners rotate through mapping stations, starting to define their understanding of space and place through different modalities including geography and art literacies.
Unit:Geographies of HomeIncludes
Lesson slides, Heart-map handout, My Map Book, Sarah Fanelli
Sound maps
Learners explore representations of different sounds as they create sound maps.
Unit:Geographies of HomeIncludes
You Draw My Hum lesson plan, Nia Fekri, Sonic hunt handout, Lesson slides
We Went Looking for Home
Learners begin to understand the idea of home is hard to contain. Learners brainstorm all the feelings, sensations, images, and memories that come up when they think of home.
Unit:Geographies of HomeIncludes
We Went Looking for Home but We Found… (Al-Bustan camp multimedia book)
Home is a Foreign Place
Learners take inspiration from Zarina Hashimi’s Home is a Foreign Place and create block print symbols of home.
Unit:Geographies of HomeIncludes
Zarina Hashimi slides, MoMA audio: Zarina Hashimi’s Home is a Foreign Place (English)
Are Maps Always Truthful?
Learners understand that maps can be inaccurate and explore artists who work to capture the true spirit of a place when maps fail us.
Unit:Geographies of HomeIncludes
Lesson slides
Dream Maps
Learners create multimedia maps of their dream places and worlds inspired by decolonial mapping.
Unit:Geographies of HomeIncludes
Dream maps handout
Can a Picture Tell a Thousand Words?
Learners begin to understand that storytelling is multimodal. Learners experiment in creating a wordless story inspired by a mentor text.
Unit:Food & StoriesIncludes
Storytelling scaffold: people and places
How Can I Bring My Stories to Life?
Learners will brainstorm different special moments with a loved one and create a comic strip/storyboard to represent it. Learners experiment with figurative language to bring their writing to life.
Unit:Food & StoriesIncludes
Comic book template, Ten Ways to Hear Snow (Arabic excerpt)
What do seeds need?
Learners read the mentor text, بذور by نور الهدى محمد and understand the things that seeds need to grow into healthy plants through a hands-on planting activity.
Collection:Arabic Language Arts Mentor Text LessonsIncludes
"What does a seed need?" anchor chart
Comparing and Contrasting Character Traits
Learners read ماما بنت صفي and discuss character traits that Abeer possesses. Learners then compare and contrast character traits, behaviors, and identities between Abeer and themselves.
Collection:Arabic Language Arts Mentor Text LessonsIncludes
Abeer character traits, Abeer and me
Creating List Stories
Learners read رف الأباريق by عائشة الهاشمي that turns a simple teapot into ten imaginative tools that inspire our young narrator to paint, make music, decorate windowsills, and finally, write. Students are guided to create their own list stories in the same style.
Collection:Arabic Language Arts Mentor Text LessonsIncludes
List story template
Memories for Sale
Learners read ذكرى للبيع by سارة عبدالله to explore the narrator’s emotional world as she tries to process difficult memories. Learners then engage in a social-emotional role play exercise to explore the concept of forgiveness.
Collection:Arabic Language Arts Mentor Text LessonsIncludes
Scenario cards
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.
Collection:Arabic Language Arts Mentor Text LessonsIncludes
Palestinian Archive photographs, Palestine organizations, Observation tool, Let’s document our family history and share it | لنتشارك التاريخ العائلي ونوثقه
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