Celebrating National Arab American Heritage Month in your Classroom with Meaningful Activities


April is National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM), a time to celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of Arab Americans in the U.S. Honoring this month in your school is a way to help students of Arab descent feel seen and appreciated. It is also a meaningful opportunity to teach all students about the discrimination and barriers many Arab Americans face in the workplace, schools, and other spaces, so that they can actively take steps to create a more equitable, just, and inclusive community. 

In this post, I'll be sharing some ways to honor National Arab American Heritage Month in your classroom. 

1. Read works by Arab American authors & add their books to your school library 

Before April, do an audit of your classroom or school library. Ask the following questions: 
  • Does it include books that center the voices of Arab writers? 
  • Does it contain positive representation of Arab protagonists? 
  • What books could you order before National Arab American Heritage Month begins? 
  • How could you display them in your library? 

Here are a few book lists to help you get started... 

Poetry

"The Morning I Become an American Citizen" by Hala Alyan
"Leaves and Shadows" by Naomi Shihab Nye
"Where I Come From" by Eman Hassan
"The Earth Is a Living Thing" by Luci Tapahonso
"Conversations About Home (At the Deportation Centre)" by Warsan Shire
"The Tradition" by Dunya Mikhail
"Desert Flowers" by Deema K. Shehabi
"Journey to Bayonne" by Khaled Mattawa
"Song of Myself" by Suheir Hammad
“from ‘Surge’” by Etel Adnan 
"No More Wars" by Maher Abu-Salha
“On Friendship” by Kahlil Gibran 
“how to say” by Safia Elhillo
“I Belong There” by Mahmoud Darwish
“Sitti’s Secrets” & “Everything Comes Next” by Naomi Shihab Nye

Middle Grade Books 

Everything Comes Next: Collected and New Poems by Naomi Shihab Nye
Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga 
We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal
Down and Across by Arvin Ahmadi
Mirage by Somaiya Daud

Teen - Adult Books 

The Prophet by Khalil Gibran 
Out of Place by Edward Said 
The Arsonists' City by Hala Alyan 
The Other Americans by Laila Lalani 

2. Have students research notable Arab American leaders and create biography posters 

Celebrate National Arab American Heritage Month in April with this engaging biography research project about the life of influential Arab American leaders and thinkers. This print-and-go poster template supports student independence by guiding them through a series of drawing and writing prompts. The directions are clear and easy to understand, so students can work at their own pace. Graphic organizers guide students through the process of recording information from online sources. Your students will learn about 20 influential people, such as Edward Said, Steve Jobs, Hoda Katb, Rashida Tlaib, Naomi Shihab Nye, and more!

3. Watch a documentary or film that centers Arab American voices 

Here are a few options to consider: 

4. Study the work of famous Arab American artists 

You couls start by taking a virtual tour of the Arab American National Museum "Core Galleries." Or, you could project images of artwork on the board and discuss them with your students. 

A few Arab American visual artists to consider: 

  • Helen Zughaib (painter)
  • Lalla Essaydi (photographer)
  • Khaled Hafez (multimedia artist)
  • Nabil Kanso (painter and sculptor)
  • Khalil Gibran (poet, philosopher, and painter) 
  • Sama Alshaibi (photographer and video artist)
  • Mona Hatoum (sculpture and performance artist) 
  • Alia Ali (photographer and mixed-media artist)
  • Ayad Alkadhi (abstract artist) 
  • Kevork Mourad (painter and multimedia artist)

5. Research Arab cuisine and have a potluck 

Food brings people together, and hosting a potluck can be a fun way to teach students about the rich history of Arab cuisine. 

Note: If you make any of the dishes with your students, consider purchasing ingredients from Arab American food vendors. 

6. Host a cultural fair at your school or a local community center 

Send a schoolwide invitation, welcoming Arab American students and families to share about music, dances, food, and traditions that are important to them. This can be a powerful opportunity for the local community to develop a greater understanding and appreciation of Arab American history and culture. 

Food and Drinks

Provide a mix of food and drink options that showcase the richness of Arabic cuisine. Start out with appetizers like baba ghanoush, hummus, and tabbouleh. Then, serve some entres like kebabs, falafel, or shawerma. Finally, offer some tea, coffee, and sweet desserts. 

Arts and Crafts 

Consider inviting Arab American artists from your community to display their work. You could also have small workshops for students to try traditional embroidery (tatreez), calligraphy, and more. 

Fashion 

Celebrate both traditional and contemporary Arab American fashion by having a fashion show or simply displaying clothing on a stand. Provide brochures or signage that share information about traditional clothing, such as the thobe. 

Panel Discussions 

Invite Arab American community leaders, artists, scholars, and activists to discuss topics connected to Arab American history, culture, identity, and current events. 

Language 

Create a booth that offers information about the Arabic language and mini lessons for students to practice basic conversational phrases. If there are local tutors in your community, invite them to display brochures about their classes. 

Dance and Music

Invite local Arab American bands or dance groups to perform at the cultural fair. Encourage them to share a variety of styles, ranging from Arabic pop to traditional dabke dances. 

7. Decorate your classroom for Arab American Heritage Museum 

Decor Ideas: 

  • Hang up a timeline of Arab American history in the United States 
  • Pin biography posters around the classroom and give students the opportunity to present their research findings
  • Hang up flags from Arab countries, such as Egypt, Palestine, or Lebanon
  • Display posters that show Arabic calligraphy, embroidery (tatreez) patterns, and art 
  • Use green, red, and white in decorations, since these are the colors of most Arab American flags 
  • Create a display of maps from Arab countries to help students visualize the region 

8. Host a poetry reading featuring work by Arab American poets 

Writers to consider showcasing: 

  • George Abraham 
  • Elia Abu Madi
  • Etel Adnan 
  • Joseph Awad 
  • Ibtisam Barakat 
  • Suheir Hammad 
  • Sam Hamod 
  • Samuel John Hazo
  • Lawrence Joseph 
  • Lisa Suhair Majaj 
  • Jack Marshall 
  • Khaled Mattawa 
  • Jess Rizkallah
  • Hedy Habra

9. Listen to a podcast about Arab American history and culture 

10. Host conversations that address systemic racism, stereotypes, microagressions, and hate crimes 

Leading conversations with students about prejudice against the Arab American community in the U.S. can be challenging, but it is critical to address these issues while creating a safe space where students feel heard and valued. 

Here are a few tips for having healthy conversations: 

  • Set ground rules for listening well to others, avoiding hurtful language, and respecting others' opinions. 
  • Share context about challenges the Arab American community has faced, such as hate crimes and stereotyping. Use relevant examples from recent history to help students understand the impact of prejudice. 
  • Share many examples of Arab Americans who have made positive contributions to society as a way to challenge stereotypes. Thoughtfully highlight the diversity that exists within the Arab American community.
  • Offer resources for students who want to continue learning more about Arab American history and culture, such as articles, YouTube channels, social media accounts, and books. 
  • Provide opportunities for students to journal their reflections after the discussions as a way to check in about what they are feeling and thinking. 

11. Listen to a playlist of music by Arab American artists 

A few songs to consider: 

  • "Ah Ya Zein" by George Abdo 
  • "Shik Shak Shok" by Hassan Abou El Seoud
  • "Habibi Ya Nour El Ein" by Amr Diab 
  • "Dabke Time" by Omar Offendum 
  • "Sawah" by Ilham Al Madfai 
  • "El Helwa Di" by Hakim - 
  • "Ya Lail" by Najwa Karam
  • "Dum Tek Tek" by Nader Guirat 
  • "Lamma Bada Yatathanna" by Simon Shaheen

12. Share a quote of the day as a "bell ringer" activity or journal prompt 

For your daily bell ringer, share a quote by an Arab American. Then, ask your students to reflect on the words in their journals. 

Quote and Fact Sources: 

  • "The greatest gift of life is friendship, and I have received it." - Hubert H. Humphrey
  • "The power of the arts is the power to remind people that they are not alone." - Najla Said
  • "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." - Ralph Nader
  • "We have to come together as communities of color to fight for justice and equity for all." - Rashida Tlaib
  • "The best way to predict your future is to create it." - Dr. Elias Zerhouni
  • "A community is like a ship, everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm." - Donna Shalala
  • "We are not given a good or a bad life. We are given life, and it's up to us to make it good or bad." - F. Murray Abraham
  • "Science is a powerful tool for understanding the natural world, but it is just as important for creating a more peaceful, just, and sustainable world." - Dr. Michael DeBakey

13. Honor an influential figure of the week 

Celebrating the achievements of influential Arab Americans who have made contributions to their fields and shaped U.S. history is a way to inspire students. 

Here are just a few examples of leaders to consider highlighting: 

  • Ralph Nader 
  • Donna Shalala
  • Helen Thomas
  • Dr. Michael DeBakey 
  • Danny Thomas 
  • Dr. Elias Zerhouni 
  • Rashida Tlaib 
  • F. Murray Abraham 
  • Andrea Zittel 

14. Play a trivia game to review Arab American history 

You can use websites like Jeopardy Labs to create fun games that assess students prior knowledge about Arab American history, as well as what they've learned throughout the month of April. Try to use a mix of questions that celebrate Arab American figures who made a notable impact in fields like entertainment, politics, medicine, and art. 

Here are a few examples of questions that you could explore: 

  • What is the name of the first Arab American to be elected to Congress?
  • What was the title of the magazine that Kahlil Gibran started in 1912?
  • What was the name of the first Arab American U.S. ambassador?
  • What is the name of the Arab American actor who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the movie "Bridge of Spies"?

15. Print out and decorate coloring pages 

Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month by having your students decorate coloring pages with quotes by influential figures from history and the current time period. This bundle of art printables includes words of wisdom from figures like Farouk El-Baz, Laila Lalami, Khalil Gibran, Edward Said, and more.

Resources for Teachers

Remember, celebrating Arab American Heritage Month is a way to foster a school community of diversity, respect, and inclusion. 

What activities and resources would you add to this list? Leave a comment below to share your ideas! 

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