Introduction to Grammar

Objectives

By the end of this 1-minute Arabic lesson, Year 4 students will be able to:

1. Understand the definitions of المبتدأ (Al-Mubtada' - the Subject) and الخبر (Al-Khabar - the Predicate).
2. Identify the المبتدأ and الخبر in simple Arabic sentences.
3. Create their own basic sentences incorporating correct use of المبتدأ and الخبر.

Curriculum Link: MFL (Modern Foreign Languages) – KS2 (Years 3 to 6)
This lesson aligns with the UK curriculum goals for MFL by fostering understanding of Arabic sentence structures and cultivating communication skills through engaging examples and active participation.

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Resources Required

1. Flashcards with Arabic words (nouns and simple predicates).
2. Mini whiteboards and markers for each student.
3. Laminated image cards to spark sentence creation.
4. Printable "Fill in the Gaps" activity sheet.
5. A soft toy as a talking mascot to engage students during Q&A (e.g. "Mr. Camel").

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Lesson Overview

Duration: 1 Minute

Engage (10 Seconds) - Start with a Hook!

• Use "Mr. Camel" (the cuddly toy) to greet the class in Arabic: "مرحباً يا أصدقاء!" (Hello, friends!).
• Hold up a high-interest image (e.g. a camel in the desert) and pose the question (in Arabic):
  "ماذا ترون؟" (What do you see?).
• Quickly acknowledge answers in Arabic and English (e.g. "نعم، جمل!" / Yes, a camel!) to spark engagement.

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Teach (20 Seconds) - Explanation of the Concept

• Write the sentence "الجمل جميل" (The camel is beautiful) on the board.
• Point out and explain:
  • "الجمل" is the المبتدأ (the Subject): The word we are talking about.
  • "جميل" is the الخبر (the Predicate): The word that tells us more about the Subject.
  • Highlight that the المبتدأ is typically a noun or pronoun and the الخبر gives information about it.
• Use hand gestures (e.g., point to head for Subject, hand to heart for Predicate) to help embed the concept.

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Practice (20 Seconds) - Breakout Interaction

Activity 1: Build the Sentence!

• Divide students into pairs. Give each pair one المبتدأ flashcard (e.g. "الولد," "الشجرة") and one الخبر flashcard (e.g. "طويل," "جميلة").
• Challenge pairs to quickly arrange their cards and read their sentence aloud.

Activity 2: Fill the Gap!

• Display a new sentence on the board with a gap (e.g. "______ قوي" / "______ is strong").
• Call on volunteers to shout out a suitable المبتدأ (subject). Accept creative answers!

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Wrap-Up (10 Seconds) - Reinforcement and Review

• Mr. Camel asks an exit question: "ما هو المبتدأ؟ وما هو الخبر؟" (What is the Subject? What is the Predicate?).
• Encourage choral responses, e.g., "المبتدأ هو الاسم!" (The Subject is the noun!)
• Leave them with a challenge to practise at home:
  "اكتبوا جملة فيها مبتدأ وخبر!" (Write a sentence with a Subject and a Predicate!).

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Extension and Differentiation

• For higher-level students: Ask them to expand their sentences with an adjective or an additional clause (e.g. **"القط كبير وجميل"**The cat is big and beautiful).
• For students needing more support: Use visual prompts and allow them to answer with single words.

Outcome: Students actively engage in structuring simple sentences with المبتدأ and الخبر, understand the concepts, and use them with confidence in their own writing and speech.