Are you interested in discovering some unique I am Malala teaching ideas that will captivate your students? Check out this list including a timeline, animated short tie-in, symbolism project, debate questions, and more. These activities are designed to go with the Young Readers Edition which is specially adapted for middle-grade readers.
I am Malala (Young Readers Edition) is a gripping autobiography by Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner. The book tells the incredible story of her fight for girls’ education in Pakistan. Readers follow Malala’s journey from her childhood in the Swat Valley, where she defied the Taliban’s oppressive regime to her miraculous recovery after surviving a targeted attack by the Taliban.
Don’t miss out on this remarkable and uplifting tale of a young girl who beat the odds to become a global symbol of hope and inspiration. Pick up I am Malala (Young Readers Edition).
I am Malala Teaching Ideas
Book Unit Samples
You will find the following in this novel study sample:
- Vocabulary Practice
- Comprehension Questions for the Prologue
- Constructed Response Question for the Prologue
Teaching Ideas #1 – Timeline of Malala’s Life
In the handout, you will find a timeline of the main events in Malala’s life. Following the timeline are questions for students to answer. An answer key follows.
This handout contains all activities mentioned in this blog post.
Teaching Ideas #2 – Symbolism in I am Malala
Ask students to collect objects that are symbolic and represent key themes or events from I am Malala. Students can create displays with captions that explain the significance of each item. Students can then move around the room and discuss their displays with their peers. Here are a few ideas to get students started.
Malala’s School Uniform – Malala’s commitment to education and her defiance against the Taliban’s efforts to deny girls the right to education – Malala’s school uniform represents her determination to fight for her right to learn through education.
Malala’s Diary – Malala’s voice as she used her writing to speak out against the injustices and discrimination faced by girls in her community – Malala’s diary represents her courage to share her story.
The Nobel Peace Prize – Malala’s global recognition for her courageous advocacy for girls’ education and women’s rights
Malala’s Headscarf – Malala’s cultural identity – Malala’s headscarf represents Malala’s fight for girls’ freedom and opportunities.
The Book I am Malala – Malala’s story about the importance of education – The book I am Malala represents her courage to share her experiences and inspire others to stand up for their rights and pursue education as a means of empowerment.
The Malala Fund – the organization founded by Malala and her father to advocate for girls’ education and empowerment – The Malala Fund represents their ongoing efforts to promote education, advocate for policy changes, and empower girls to become agents of change in their communities and beyond.
Teaching Ideas #3 – Animated Short Unit Tie-In
Let Girls Dream is an animated short film by Pakistani director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy that raises awareness about the importance of girls’ education and challenges gender norms. The film tells the story of a young girl in Pakistan who dreams of becoming a pilot. The film highlights the hopes and struggles of girls.
The Girl Who Hated Books is an animated short film by Jo Meuris that depicts the journey of a young girl named Meena who learns to overcome her fear of books. She discovers the joy of reading. The animated short promotes literacy, education, and the empowerment of girls through knowledge and learning.
I am Malala Teaching Ideas #4 – Classroom Debate
Organize a classroom debate where students take on different roles and perspectives to discuss the importance of education and the challenges faced by Malala and other girls in accessing education in Pakistan.
Encourage students to research and provide evidence-based arguments to support their perspectives. Go over the need to be respectful during the discussion. Encourage empathy toward different viewpoints.
Example Roles for the Debate
As a member of the local community in Swat Valley, share your opinions on Malala’s advocacy for girls’ education.
As a government official in Pakistan, discuss the efforts and policies in place to promote education, particularly for girls.
Teaching Ideas #5 – Contemporary Activists
Have students research a contemporary activist who is advocating for education, women’s rights, or social justice. Students can create a multimedia presentation to showcase their chosen person’s work. Students can also compare Malala’s activism to the work of their chosen change-maker.
Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
Greta Thunberg [a young Swedish environmental activist who advocates for climate action and sustainability] has become a prominent voice in the global movement to address climate change, inspiring youth activism around the world.
Emma Gonzalez [a survivor of the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida] became an advocate for gun control and youth activism. She co-founded the student-led movement “Never Again MSD” and has been outspoken about the need for gun reform in the United States.
If you missed the link above to the handout for this post, here it is again.
See the product that inspired this post.
I am Malala (Young Readers Edition) Study includes vocabulary practice, comprehension questions, constructed response writing, and skill practice.
