Stories, parables, and literature allow students to visualize different people, holidays, customs, and traditions within a particular religion in a more concrete way. There are many books related to Islam that teachers can use to help students form a deeper understanding of the religion and the people who practice it. In this activity, students will illustrate the plot of an Islamic story.
This example is from the book The Spider and the Doves: The Story of the Hijra by Farah Morley about the Prophet Muhammad's* escape from persecution from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE.
There are many other engaging books that introduce students to various literature relating to Islam. Here are some suggestions:
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: After listening to the story, create a narrative storyboard that includes important details from the beginning, middle, and end of the story.
Student Instructions:
Requirements: Beginning, Middle, and End of the story.
Start by choosing an age-appropriate Islamic story from the recommended list. Gather students together, preview the cover, and activate background knowledge by asking what they know about Islam. Reading aloud helps students engage with the text and builds cultural awareness.
Encourage students to share their thoughts on the story’s main themes, such as courage, kindness, or faith. Guide the discussion with open-ended questions. This promotes critical thinking and empathy for diverse perspectives.
Help students sequence the story events by recalling what happened at the beginning, middle, and end. Use graphic organizers or anchor charts to visualize the narrative structure for all learners.
Ask students to draw or digitally design each storyboard cell, including characters, setting, and important items. Remind them to add captions or speech bubbles to capture important details. This strengthens comprehension and artistic expression.
Invite students to present their storyboards to the class and explain their choices. Celebrate diverse interpretations and discuss any new insights about Islamic literature. This builds confidence and a sense of community.
'The Spider and the Doves' is a story about the Prophet Muhammad's escape from Mecca to Medina, highlighting themes of courage and faith. Teachers can use it to help students visualize Islamic history by having them illustrate the plot, promoting deeper understanding through storytelling and art.
To create a narrative storyboard, have students break the story into beginning, middle, and end. In 3–5 cells, they should write major events in sequence and illustrate each scene with characters and key items from the story, helping reinforce comprehension and creativity.
Some recommended books for teaching about Islam in grades 6-8 include Ramadan by Suhaib Hamid Ghazi, The Grand Mosque of Paris by Karen Gray Ruelle, Tales from Rumi by Ali Fuat Bilkan, and Malala's Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai, among others.
Islamic literature allows students to explore diverse cultures, holidays, and beliefs, fostering empathy and understanding. It helps make abstract concepts concrete, enriches classroom discussions, and supports standards for multicultural education.
Teachers can create more engaging lessons by using stories, interactive activities like storyboarding, discussing real-life examples, and incorporating diverse Islamic literature. Visuals, group discussions, and creative projects help make the content relatable and memorable.