Theme or Topic (unit): Arabic place names

Student Level and Population: This lesson is intended for English-speaking students at the Elementary level (Grades K-5)

Target vocabulary:
Eth-heb eela, Fee, el madresa, el cinema, el matam, el bait, rofatee
(I go to), (in), (the school), (the theater), (the restaurant), (the house), (my room)

Materials List:
vocab sheets, hat with place names, laminated place sheets, vinyl stickers, prizes, blank color sheets, (Map of the Arab World: optional)

The lesson:
Introduction:
3-5 min
Depending on whether or not this is the first Arabic lesson, the
introduction can vary. If this is the first Arabic lesson, the teacher may
choose to begin with the map of the Arab world to introduce the
language
as a whole. If this is not the first lesson, the teacher can begin by asking the
students if they remember any of the Arabic words they learned in a past
lesson.

Presentation:
7 min
The teacher can present the following place names: matam, bait, cinema,
and madresa, using pictures provided. When the students have repeated
the words enough times, the teacher can ask the students where they like
to go, and indicate they want to hear the Arabic word in the students’
response. After this, the teacher can present the phrase “Eth-heb eela” and
begin forming sentences headed by that phrase. Then they can give the
students an opportunity to follow their model and form similar sentences.

Activity 1: “Eth-heb Game”
10 min
Pass around a hat with the names of the places (matam, bait, cinema, and madresa) inside. Each student draws a place name. Each corner of the room will have one of the following pictures: matam, bait, cinema and madresa.
The teacher will call out the name to one of the locations. The students with that location name in their hand walk (it must be specified to the students that they may not run) to the location. A volunteer at that location checks that those students do indeed have the correct place name. They instruct the students to form a complete sentence with that place name. (i.e. “Eth-heb eela el cinema”) After they have done so, they receive a prize. Then they must sit at their location quietly until the game is complete. The game continues until each location has been called.

Activity 2: “Fee el…”
15 min
After the completion of the Eth-heb Game, the students should be directed to sit at tables in groups based on which place name they drew. The teacher should then introduce the word “Fee” and explain that it means “in.” At each table should be placed a laminated picture of that location, and a handful of vinyl stickers of various objects. The students then work together to place the stickers on the picture based on what they believe will be found in that place. After a certain amount of time, the students will be called on group by group to say “Fee el _____, there is ______” where the first blank represents the name of their place and the second the objects they placed in there.

Activity 3: “Fee rofatee…”
15 min
The teacher will distribute coloring sheets with the image of a bedroom. The teacher then introduces the word “rofatee” and explains it means “my room.” Students are instructed to draw with crayons what is “fee” their bedroom. After some time has passed, students can volunteer to say “Fee rofatee, there is ….” and present the contents of their drawing.