Activity Overview
In this activity, students will create a storyboard that defines and illustrates key vocabulary found in the book Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed. Students will create a spider map of 3-5 terms at the teachers discretion. Each cell will contain a term or allusion, its definition or description, and an appropriate illustration.
Examples of Vocabulary from Amal Unbound
Abu: Father
Alif: The first letter in the Arabic alphabet
Amma: Mother
Baba: Papa
Baji: Big sister
Beef korma: A curry dish made with beef
Bey: The second letter in the Arabic alphabet
Call to prayers: A speaker placed on a minaret signals to Muslims that it is time to pray. The call to prayer happens five times a day: dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and night.
Chador: An article of clothing worn by Muslim women that wraps around the head and body leaving only the face exposed.
Chai: A type of tea made by boiling tea leaves with milk, sugar, and strong spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and ginger.
Cholay: Curried chickpeas
Cricket: Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players on a field at the centre of which is a 22-yard pitch with a wicket at each end, each comprising two bails balanced on three stumps.
Dowry: Payment given from the bride’s family to the husband’s family as a part of the marriage. In Pakistan it is typical to include jewelry, clothing, and money. It could also be animals or land.
Eid: Eid al-Fitr is an important holiday celebrated by Muslims that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.
Henna: a dye prepared from a flowering plant known as hina.
Hijab: A headscarf worn to cover the hair.
Jinn: A spirit in Arabian and Muslim mythology.
Kameez: An article of clothing worn by both men and women. It can be a long shirt or more of a dress.
Kebabs: Grilled meat often cooked on a skewer.
Kulfis: A frozen dairy dessert that has also been called “traditional Indian ice cream”.
Laddus: Round sweets made from sugar, flour, and some sort of nuts.
Mehndi: Body art drawn on the skin using henna paste.
Minaret: A tall, thin tower that is part of a mosque.
Mosque: A Muslim place of worship.
Nihari: A stew of slow-cooked meat.
Pakoras: Battered and fried snack food can include onion, eggplant, potato, spinach, plantain, and more.
Punjabi village: A village in the Punjab region. The Punjab region is an area in Northeast Pakistan and Northwest India. It was once a province of Great Britain.
Rickshaws: A wheeled cart that people ride in that is pulled by a person.
Roti: A flatbread that looks similar to a tortilla.
Samosas: Filled pastries that are usually fried. The samosas in the Punjab region are spicy and mostly contain vegetable or potato fillings.
Sari: A cloth that is draped and wrapped to be worn as a dress for formal functions in Pakistan.
Zenith Irfan: The first female motorcyclist to ride across Pakistan.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a spider map that defines and illustrates key vocabulary from Amal Unbound.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the title boxes, identify the vocabulary terms you have chosen.
- In the description boxes, write the definition or description of the term.
- Create an illustration for each term using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Requirements: Must have 3 vocabulary terms, correct definitions or descriptions, and appropriate illustrations for each that demonstrate your understanding of the words.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | The definition is correct. | The definition is partially correct. | The definition is incorrect. |
| Visualizations | The storyboard cells clearly illustrate the meaning of the vocabulary words. | The storyboard cells relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words, but are difficult to understand. | The storyboard cells do not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words. |
Activity Overview
In this activity, students will create a storyboard that defines and illustrates key vocabulary found in the book Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed. Students will create a spider map of 3-5 terms at the teachers discretion. Each cell will contain a term or allusion, its definition or description, and an appropriate illustration.
Examples of Vocabulary from Amal Unbound
Abu: Father
Alif: The first letter in the Arabic alphabet
Amma: Mother
Baba: Papa
Baji: Big sister
Beef korma: A curry dish made with beef
Bey: The second letter in the Arabic alphabet
Call to prayers: A speaker placed on a minaret signals to Muslims that it is time to pray. The call to prayer happens five times a day: dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and night.
Chador: An article of clothing worn by Muslim women that wraps around the head and body leaving only the face exposed.
Chai: A type of tea made by boiling tea leaves with milk, sugar, and strong spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and ginger.
Cholay: Curried chickpeas
Cricket: Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players on a field at the centre of which is a 22-yard pitch with a wicket at each end, each comprising two bails balanced on three stumps.
Dowry: Payment given from the bride’s family to the husband’s family as a part of the marriage. In Pakistan it is typical to include jewelry, clothing, and money. It could also be animals or land.
Eid: Eid al-Fitr is an important holiday celebrated by Muslims that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.
Henna: a dye prepared from a flowering plant known as hina.
Hijab: A headscarf worn to cover the hair.
Jinn: A spirit in Arabian and Muslim mythology.
Kameez: An article of clothing worn by both men and women. It can be a long shirt or more of a dress.
Kebabs: Grilled meat often cooked on a skewer.
Kulfis: A frozen dairy dessert that has also been called “traditional Indian ice cream”.
Laddus: Round sweets made from sugar, flour, and some sort of nuts.
Mehndi: Body art drawn on the skin using henna paste.
Minaret: A tall, thin tower that is part of a mosque.
Mosque: A Muslim place of worship.
Nihari: A stew of slow-cooked meat.
Pakoras: Battered and fried snack food can include onion, eggplant, potato, spinach, plantain, and more.
Punjabi village: A village in the Punjab region. The Punjab region is an area in Northeast Pakistan and Northwest India. It was once a province of Great Britain.
Rickshaws: A wheeled cart that people ride in that is pulled by a person.
Roti: A flatbread that looks similar to a tortilla.
Samosas: Filled pastries that are usually fried. The samosas in the Punjab region are spicy and mostly contain vegetable or potato fillings.
Sari: A cloth that is draped and wrapped to be worn as a dress for formal functions in Pakistan.
Zenith Irfan: The first female motorcyclist to ride across Pakistan.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a spider map that defines and illustrates key vocabulary from Amal Unbound.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the title boxes, identify the vocabulary terms you have chosen.
- In the description boxes, write the definition or description of the term.
- Create an illustration for each term using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Requirements: Must have 3 vocabulary terms, correct definitions or descriptions, and appropriate illustrations for each that demonstrate your understanding of the words.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | The definition is correct. | The definition is partially correct. | The definition is incorrect. |
| Visualizations | The storyboard cells clearly illustrate the meaning of the vocabulary words. | The storyboard cells relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words, but are difficult to understand. | The storyboard cells do not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words. |
How Tos about Vocabulary and Allusion in Amal Unbound
Engage students with vocabulary games using Amal Unbound terms
Gamifying vocabulary boosts engagement and retention. Fun, interactive activities help students internalize new words, build confidence, and foster a positive classroom environment.
Organize a vocabulary bingo game
Prepare bingo cards with Amal Unbound vocabulary words. As you call out definitions, students mark the matching words. This reinforces recall and encourages attentive listening.
Create a vocabulary charades activity
Have students act out or draw vocabulary terms while classmates guess the word. This kinesthetic approach supports understanding through movement and collaboration.
Assign vocabulary matching pairs
Give students cards with words and separate cards with definitions or illustrations. Let them match pairs as quickly as possible, building speed and solidifying word meanings.
Celebrate with a mini vocabulary competition
Divide the class into small teams and ask questions about word meanings, examples, or usage. Award points for correct answers to motivate participation and encourage friendly competition.
Frequently Asked Questions about Vocabulary and Allusion in Amal Unbound
What are some key vocabulary terms from Amal Unbound and their meanings?
Amal Unbound features terms like chador (a wrap for the head and body), chai (spiced tea), dowry (a marriage payment), henna (a plant-based dye), and mosque (Muslim place of worship), each reflecting Pakistani culture and daily life.
How can teachers create a vocabulary storyboard for Amal Unbound?
Teachers can have students pick 3-5 terms from Amal Unbound, define each term, and illustrate them in a spider map or visual storyboard to reinforce understanding and make learning interactive.
What is the best way to teach cultural allusions in Amal Unbound to middle school students?
The best way is to use visual vocabulary boards that combine definitions, descriptions, and illustrations. This helps students connect new words to their meanings and cultural context.
Why is it important to understand vocabulary and allusions in Amal Unbound?
Understanding vocabulary and allusions helps students grasp the cultural setting and themes of Amal Unbound, making the story more meaningful and relatable.
Can you give examples of visual activities for teaching vocabulary from Amal Unbound?
Examples include spider maps, illustrated glossaries, and storyboard cells where students define, describe, and draw scenes for words like kameez, samosa, or minaret.
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