Reading & Writing: The Stones of Al-Ula
English Grade 8 (Super Goal 2) · Unit 12: It's Going to Be Fun! · Lesson 12-3 · Term 2
Also known as: Al-Ula · Madain Saleh
Play this lesson
Lesson idea
Adel's email from a school trip to Al-Ula and Mada'in Saleh (Al-Hijr); writing an email from a holiday place.
Key points
- Adel traveled by bus from Madinah. Mada'in Saleh is also known as Al-Hijr; the site lies about 20 km north of the town.
- It was settled by the Nabataeans in the first century; over 100 rock-carved monuments over 13.4 km, in excellent condition because of the dry climate.
- It was included in UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2008. One rock formation resembles a giant elephant.
- The old city of Al-Deerah has over 500 houses from the 13th century; some stones came from a Lihyanite settlement; a sundial helped determine the start of Ramadan.
Vocabulary
archaeological site
Nabataeans
rock-carved monuments
preservation
UNESCO World Heritage List
sandstone
resemble
inscriptions
sundial
inhabitants
Lesson questions (12)
- Where is Adel writing his email from?
Answer: his hotel in Al-Ula - How did Adel and his class travel to Al-Ula?
Answer: by bus from Madinah - What is another name for Mada'in Saleh?
Answer: Al-Hijr - Who settled the site in the first century?
Answer: the Nabataeans - How many rock-carved monuments are there?
Answer: over 100 - Why are the monuments in an excellent state of preservation?
Answer: because of the dry climate - When was the site included in UNESCO's World Heritage List?
Answer: 2008 - What does one of the rock formations resemble?
Answer: a giant elephant - How many houses does the old city of Al-Deerah have?
Answer: over 500 - What did the inhabitants use the sundial for?
Answer: to determine the start of Ramadan - What will Adel do to show Qassim the trip?
Answer: take lots of amazing pictures - In Khalid's email from Paros, what is he going to try?
Answer: windsurfing
More lessons in Unit 12: It's Going to Be Fun!
Questions about this lesson
Where is Adel writing his message from?
From his hotel in Al-Ula.
What are the parts of an email message?
The greeting, such as Dear, then the body, then the closing and the name.
What is the difference between a hotel and a hostel?
A hotel is a comfortable place to stay, and a hostel is a cheaper youth hostel where guests share rooms.
Do students need an account to play this lesson?
No. The teacher shares the lesson link; the student types a first name and plays on a phone or computer, and the score reaches the teacher.
Which games suit this lesson?
You can play it in The Hunter, Complete the sentence, Match Up, Matching pairs and the other games and activities on Hessa Play.