Vocabulary and Allusions in Amina's Voice

Starting a unit or lesson with the key vocabulary aids in overall comprehension and retention. In this activity, students will create a storyboard that defines and illustrates key vocabulary found in the book Amina's Voice by Hena Khan. 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 Amina's Voice

arrogant: having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities.

arson: the criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property.

backbiting: malicious talk about someone who is not present.

graffiti: writing or drawings scribbled, scratched, or sprayed illicitly on a wall or other surface in a public place.

imam: In Arabic, imām means “leader” and “model”, and is one who leads Muslim worshippers in prayer. An imam is used to refer to the head of the Muslim community.

impostor: a person who pretends to be someone else in order to deceive others, especially for fraudulent gain.

interfaith: relating to or between different religions or members of different religions.

mosque: a Muslim place of worship.

orientation: a program of introduction for newcomers to a class, school, or college.

pioneer: a person who is among the first to explore or settle a new country or area.

Quran: The Quran, also Qur'an or Koran, is the main religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a revelation from God to the prophet Muhammad. It is widely regarded as the finest work in classical Arabic literature. It is organized in 114 chapters of verse called suras.

Ramadan: Ramadan, also spelled Ramazan, Ramzan, Ramadhan, or Ramathan, is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community.

Urdu: The official language of Pakistan, and is also widely used in India and elsewhere.

Due Date:

Objective: Create a spider map that defines and illustrates key vocabulary from Amina's Voice.

Student Instructions:

1. Click "Start Assignment".
2. In the title boxes, identify the vocabulary terms you have chosen.
3. In the description boxes, write the definition or description of the term.
4. 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.