Arabic١٢٣
Year 10Spring TermAges 14-15

Lesson Plans

Introduction to Arabic Literature

1

Exploring Arabic Poetry

55–60 minutes

Lesson Objectives

  • Read and understand short Arabic poetry extracts
  • Identify basic features of Arabic poetry including rhythm and rhyme

Warm-Up (5 min)

Listen to a recording of a famous Arabic poem — what do you notice about the sound, rhythm, and emotion?

Main Activities

  1. 1Introduction to Arabic poetry: its central role in Arab culture from pre-Islamic times to today
  2. 2Read 3 short poetry extracts with guided vocabulary support — identify themes and emotions
  3. 3Identify poetic features: قافية (rhyme), وزن (metre), تشبيه (simile), استعارة (metaphor)
  4. 4Writing practice: write 4 lines of simple Arabic poetry using a given rhyme scheme

Resources Needed

Poetry extracts with glossaryPoetic features reference cardWriting Practice Worksheet

⭐ Extension Challenge

Find an Arabic poem online, copy it out, and write a 100-word response explaining what it means to you.

2

Short Stories in Arabic

55–60 minutes

Lesson Objectives

  • Read and understand a short Arabic literary text
  • Identify narrative elements: character, setting, plot

Warm-Up (5 min)

Story prediction: read the opening paragraph of a short story — predict what will happen next.

Main Activities

  1. 1Read an adapted Arabic short story (200-300 words) with vocabulary support
  2. 2Identify narrative elements: الشخصيات (characters), المكان (setting), الحبكة (plot), الموضوع (theme)
  3. 3Comprehension: answer questions at literal, inferential, and evaluative levels
  4. 4Create vocab cards for 10 literary terms with definitions and examples

Resources Needed

Adapted short story textNarrative elements worksheetVocab cards worksheet

⭐ Extension Challenge

Write an alternative ending to the short story (100+ words).

3

Arabic Proverbs as Literature

55–60 minutes

Lesson Objectives

  • Discuss meaning and themes of Arabic proverbs
  • Express personal responses to literary texts

Warm-Up (5 min)

Proverb matching: match 5 Arabic proverbs with their English equivalents.

Main Activities

  1. 1Study 8 famous Arabic proverbs: read, translate, discuss the wisdom behind each one
  2. 2Cultural context: discuss how proverbs reflect Arab values — الكرم (generosity), الصبر (patience), العلم (knowledge)
  3. 3Personal response writing: choose your favourite proverb and explain why it resonates with you
  4. 4Comparison activity: find similar proverbs in English and discuss cultural overlap

Resources Needed

Proverbs collection handoutPersonal response writing frameComparison chart

⭐ Extension Challenge

Create a beautifully designed Arabic proverb poster with calligraphy and an explanation.

4

Creative Writing Inspired by Arabic Literature

60 minutes

Lesson Objectives

  • Write a short creative text inspired by Arabic literary traditions
  • Apply literary techniques in original writing

Warm-Up (5 min)

Inspiration gallery: read 5 opening lines from Arabic stories and poems — which one inspires you most?

Main Activities

  1. 1Choose a creative writing form: short story, poem, or reflective piece inspired by Arabic literature
  2. 2Planning: brainstorm ideas, choose vocabulary, plan structure
  3. 3Extended creative writing: 200+ words using techniques studied in this unit
  4. 4Tracing practice for literary vocabulary from across the unit

Resources Needed

Creative writing planning sheetLiterary techniques checklistTracing Worksheet

⭐ Extension Challenge

Submit your creative writing to a school magazine or display it in an Arabic literature exhibition.

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