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.