Taking a Break!

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Assalaamu Alaikum warahmathullaah ya akhawaat!

Hope all of you homeschoolers and my readers are doing well by the grace and Mercy of Allaah. Jazzaakumullaah khayr for all the lovely messages and emails that you have been sending inquiring about me. Baarakallaah Feekum for all your concerns, 

Alhamdulillaah my family and me are fine. But I am taking a compulsory break due to health reasons. Nothing serious by the mercy of Allaah, but we hope things will be better soon and we can share with you some good news too bi idhnillaah. Please do remember us in your duaa.

Maimoonah is continuing her homeschooling mostly on her own and also thanks to my fellow homeschooler in Doha she is enjoying her once  week co op classes, Alhamdulillaah. Will keep you updated on that as and when I am able to Inshaa Allaah.

For all those sisters and kids in Doha, I am sorry I was not able to continue the kids programs and workshops this year, but Inshaa Allaah everything will resume next year. Thank you for your patience and understanding. 

Hope and pray your homeschooling is continuing well and your kids are benefiting.

Inshaa Allaah!

Ramadhaan Plans 2015

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Sulaymaan bin Moosa [d119H] – Allah have mercy on him – said:
"When you fast, your hearing and sight should also fast, and your tongue should fast by keeping away from lies; and do not harm your servant. Don’t let the day you fast be the same as the day you don’t fast."
(Târîkh Dimishq Vol. 22 p389.)

Alhamdulillaah another Ramadhaan is here and May Allaah bless us to to witness it and benefit from His Mercy and help us make these days different from the days we do not fast! Aameen.

It is nice to see all the homeschoolers around the world getting ready with lot of activities to engage the children this Ramadhaan.

It is also interesting to see how children grow and activities differ year after year as lots of changes do happen and we tend to cater to those changes every year. This year Inshaa Allaah Maimoonah hopes to have a Journal where she would write benefits from "Fasting from Alif to Ya" by Umm Mujahid,

Alhamdulillaah this book is written in such away that everyday it covers  point of benefit from the Arabic Letter Alif  ا   to Yaa   ي. Each chapter explains a matter related to fasting. Each day the subject matter is an Arabic word that begins with one of the Arabic letters and this goes on in the Arabic alphabetical order. For example the First chapter is all about "Ihtisaab" which means consciously seeking the reward of Allaah with good deed. Then the chapter explains about it linking it to fasting.

Here is a summary of what you get in the book according to the publishers:

"This newly revised work about the blessed month of Ramadhaan contains additional daily points of benefit to teach one how to live Islaam as a way of life. Plus, it contains stories of the Prophets and Messengers including activities for the whole family to enjoy and benefit from for each day of Ramadhaan. Some of the Prophets and Messengers covered include Aadam, Ibraaheem, Lut, Yusuf, Sulaymaan, Shu’ayb, Moosa, Zakariyyah, Muhammad, and more! Additionally it has recipes for foods enjoyed by Muslims around the world."

And the good news is Maashaa Allaah the author Umm Mujahid will be having live classes via wiziq every day during Ramadhaan covering this book and explaining each chapter each day. This class is only for women and if you want to join the class enroll here

We chose this book and a journal of benefits this year as I want Maimoonah to understand how to benefit from reading and listening. She will be attending the classes and we will be reading and discussing each chapter everyday. Then she can write the Arabic Word, its meaning and some benefits each day and decorate her journal. This will also pave the way to get used to taking notes, listening carefully and writing down the benefits,

Additionally she will be trying to recite the Qur'aan as much as possible along with memorization.

She also wants to do some sewing as she got this easy little sewing machine that sews without thread as a gift from a dear friend of mine, Using felt she is able to do many little project without too much hassle,



We may also choose some activities from some of the following links as we go on:

• Iman Homeschool - Ramadhaan Activities 
• TJ Ramadhaan Resources
• A Muslim Homeschool Ramadhaan Resources 
• Thirty Lessons in Fasting by Shaykh Fowzan 
• Ramadhaan - 30 days Curriculum

Here are some more Ramadhaan Activities to choose from for different ages:

• Know about Fasting - Islaam The Basics
• Ramadhaan Activity Packs
• Pre School Ramadhaan Activity Pack
• A Muslim Child is Born - Ramadhaan Resources
• Smart Ark Ramadhaan Fun stuff
• Our own Ramadhaan Activities over the years

May Allaa make this a fruitful Ramadhaan for all of us. What are your plans?

Tarbiyah Girls Club Level 2 - Classes 6 - 13

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

 

Alhamdulillaah we concluded the Tarbiyah Girls Club classes level 2 last week. Due to all my commitments I was unable to update each class. And I was unable to take pictures of all the documents as well. So here is a summery of what we have done from class 6 to 13 and few of the pics what I manage to take.

As for Waajibaat the girls completed the whole chapter of "Who is your Prophet". It included knowing the difference between a Messenger and a Prophet, the Messenger of Allaah's physical Characteristics, and his beautiful manners. At the end of this lesson, the girls did a project work by writing how following the manners of the Prophet would make them a better Muslimah, They had to include how to know the life story of the Prophet, how to learn his character and manners, what are the best ways to understand his examples, how would following his examples get them closer to Allaah and so on.

The girls also did a poster the following week on "Manners of the Messenger of Allaah".

Then we learnt about the "Shahaadatain", its meaning, its pillars and its seven conditions. At the end of the chapter they made a poster about the Shahadah.

To make it easier for the kids we started having a Quiz at the beginning of each class from few selected chapters on what we have studied from the beginning. They were asked to study and be prepared for the quiz at the next class, This proved very much successful Alhamdulillaah as the girls started to benefit from what they have studied as asking questions made them remember and realize what is given to them in the notes. 

In Tahaarah we completed Hadeeth 3 to 6 from the Chapter entering the place where one releives himself and cleaning the private parts. This included the following:

• The Prohibition of facing the direction of the Ka'bah while relieving oneself
• What to do if the toilets are already built facing the Ka'bah
• Making Istinjaah (Cleaning the private parts) with water 
• The punishment in the grave because of not taking care of the urine on oneself.

The kids learnt a lot from these hadeeth and these hadeeth help them understand lot of benefits other than the Tahaarah itself like learning about the narrators their manners and actions, the innovations and the importance of following the sunnah and understanding it according to the explanations of the companions and the scholars and much more. Subhanallaah every part of it is filled with benefits Alhamdulillaah. 

As for Adab al Mufrad we covered up to Chapter 10 still dealing with dutifulness to parents. The kids learnt even to make Hijrah and Jihad they need to ask permission from their parents and make them happy first they also learnt that they must not raise their voices to the parents and what a disgraceful act it is to do so. 

We completed Hafsa bint Umar radhiyallaahi anha in the great women of Islaam, Kids were given the summary of the story and they had to complete a fact sheet and write how she is a role model for them.

Home Making turned out to be a very structured program for this level as the kids actually learnt something proper. The sister had planned it well this time. The kids basically learnt the whole program of cutting with knife for cooking.

We spoke about the definition of ibadaah - worship and explained to the girls how home making could be linked to Ibaadah and they could get rewarded for learning and making!

They did arts and crafts items and other things for the community project, 

And then they moved on to learning sewing. Hand sewing first with learning and practicing each and every stitch to stitch by themselves before embarking on any project.

Each child was given a very good sewing kit. And each item in it was introduced to them and taught when they should use each of them. They were taught how to use a hoop. And then they have learnt how to stitch/do the following:

• Threading the needle
• Putting a knot
• Starting and Ending each stitch
• Running stitch
• Back Stitch
• Blanket Stitch
• French knot
• Split stitch
• Chain Stitch
• Cross Stitch
• Whip Stitch
• Satin Stitch
• How to stitch buttons

At each class the kids learnt how to sew all of the above and practiced well. They were given materials and resources to use the stitches they learnt and do a project during the break and bring them back for the next level when we resume after summer Inshaa Allaah. 

Other than sewing, the kids made Beeswax candles. The kids watched a You Tube on how bees make honey and then learnt a lot about bees and hives, Then the sister taught them how to follow instructions and make a candle. Each one made their own candles and took them home.

At the last class kids were given a small revision test and then they had to decorate some cupcakes and eat and take home.

Alhamdulillaah we hope all the kids benefited from these classes and hope to see the girls again for the Level 3 we when resume after Summer Inshaa Allaah. We thank all the parents and the sisters who helped us in every way to make these classes a success and may Allaah accept this from us. Aameen.

Here are some moments!

Resources for evaluating!

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

It's that time of the year that most of the homeschoolers worry, panic, wonder, ponder if they have really taught the kids what they should know! I get many email from different sisters as to how I evaluate Maimoonah each year. 

While evaluating is something good I do not agree with putting kids into a great stress by making them sit exams. The kids learn very less by studying for an exam, but they learn pretty much more by just doing a project which includes researching, writing, experimenting, learning as well as exploring! 

Yes I hear you! But what about grades, marks reports!!!! True some of you may be living in places that necessitates grade certificates for each grade or you may be convinced that you should have certificates ready in hand in case you had to send the kids to a formal school at any given time. If that is the case I am afraid you may have to go through a program that could give you the certificates each year and choose what is best for you and your kids.

As for us we do not need evaluated certificates for each grade as I have chosen Cambridge as our curriculum which consists of Primary, Secondary and GCSE Ordinary level right up to GCSE Advanced Level. Even though this Curriculum is purely catered for schools, using this for homeschooling is not a big issue. You do not get an opportunity to get a certificate for each grade or level, but GCSE can be done privately at any age and you can get the Cambridge Certified Certificate for all subjects, plus you do not have to sit all the subjects one shot rather you can choose when to sit what subject. 

In my opinion and experience,  for kids younger than 5 there is absolutely no need for any kind of evaluation, test or exams. They learn every moment and they will continue to learn as long as you have been consistant and have been facilitating the right materials and environment, 

But the feeling and issue becomes a bit deep when the kids are getting older. You seem to stop and think how do I know if my kids are been taught the right thing!!! I have this feeling too, so to get over it this is what I do now. (While Maimoonah was younger I did not do this at all).

I download papers that go along with the Cambridge Curriculum online and end of the year give Maimoonah to do. She thinks its part of her work and keep doing. And I ask someone else  to correct it for me just to see if we have covered everything and we are on track. 

Alhamdulillaah this works for us and I am able to understand the weaknesses, mistakes and strengths, Here are some links from where you could download resources for free.

• SAT UK Papers - English, Mathematics and Science
• More SAT Papers
• National Curriculum Assessment Papers UK
• Education.com - This an American site and they have some nice workbooks for each grade downloadable on monthly or yearly subscription
• For Arabic and Islaamic Studies I make my own revision papers to go with what we have covered for the entire year.

Any other links and resources to download past papers? How do you evaluate and get over this in your homeschooling joaourney?  Please share by commenting!

Al Israa wal Mi'raaj - Lapbook

Glorified (and Exalted) be He (Allah) [above all that (evil) they associate with Him] Who took His slave (Muhammad sallaahualaihiwasallam) for a journey by night from Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah) to the farthest mosque (in Jerusalem), the neighborhood whereof We have blessed, in order that We might show him (Muhammad allaahualaihiwasallam) of Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, etc.). Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer. (Soorah Al Israa 17:1)

Alhamdulillaah we had a workshop for the kids on Al Israa and Mi;raaj few days ago. With the permission of the sister at Muslim Learning Garden we redid the layout of the lapbook with additional information. May Allaah reward sister Umm Aayah and her friend for helping me with the layout and design as usual. The Lapbook template could be downloaded here 

We got the kids the folders and while explaining each page the kids assembled each page on the lapbook.

This is the cover.

 The next page has the summary on a diagram of the happening with explanation of the terms such as Buraaq, Al Israa, Al Mi'raaj.

Then comes the facts of what happened before the journey, the description of Buraaq, and the happenings at Masjid Al Aqsaa.

The next page is about the Prophets met by the Messenger of Allaah on each heaven and all about Baitul Ma'moor.

 

Sidratul Muntaha and story of the order of Salaah is described on the next page which also includes the meeting of Allaah and the revelation of the last two aayahs of Soorah Baqarah.

 

Next page has the ahadeeth of what the Messenger of Allaah witnessed at Mi'raaj such as the punishments for some sins and some companions in Jannah.

This page talks about what happened the next day in Makkah and how Abu Jahl and the people ridiculed the Messenger of Allaah and about how Abu Bakr radhiyallaahu anhu got the title As Siddeeq,

The last page talks about the innovation of celebrating Al Israa wal Miraaj with a Fatwa of Shaykh bin Baaz raheemahullaah.

The sources and links are given in the last few pages,

We finished the lapbook with the kids and also had a review question and answer session which was interesting and we were happy to note that the kids really got something out of the workshop and working on the lapbook as all of them showed enthusiasm and answered many of the questions correctly, 

The kids had some snacks and took home their lapbooks after enjoying a quality evening. Alhamdulillaah! 

I thank the sister and my dear friend who opened up the house for this session and the sister who organized the workshop and the sister who helped with narrating and questioning the kids at the session. Jazzaakumullaah Khayr for all your efforts, 

Free Download Link - Israa wal Mi'raaj Lapbook

Origami Fun!

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Picture Courtesy of Origami Qatar

Alhamdulillaah last Saturday our kids and mums had a blast at the Origami Workshop which we organized for the QMuslimah kids with the talented sister Afsheen here in Doha. Maashaa Allaah she was just wonderful and the kids loved the whole session from the very start! She is known as Origami Addict Qatar and you can read her sweet story here

Afsheen was very clear with her step by step instructions from the beginning till the end and the kids easily followed her and started folding the sheets of papers. She was also helping the kids and looking into each and everyone until they all could get every step right! Mums were around making Origami with the kids too and we all enjoyed the session.

The kids learnt to make an Origami Ice Cream, a Sail Boat, Little Origami Notebooks, Flower and stem on a Card, Sun Glasses and cute little dresses and Abayahs. 

 

 

Maimoonah just loved the whole session. And loved making the notebooks. As she came home she could just make few more simple but cute little notebooks without any assistance,

 

If you are in Doha and if Maimoonah knows you do not be surprised to get few of her handmade origami notebooks as gifts Inshaa Allaah as I see her making them for different people by saying w m, w m!(that's a part of making the notebook!) 

Maimoonah is also trying to remember how to make little dresses as she once heard Umm Mujahid from Taalib.com talking about her kids drawing dresses to indicate little girls and little boys while doing Art work, thus avoiding the drawing of figures with souls. Alhamdulillaah! These little Abayahs the kids made with little help are a bit complicated but with practice the kids would get a hang of it soon Inshaa Allaah!

This was a much needed change and a boost for homeschooling kids Maashaa Allaah and they really enjoyed the out of home activity. Maimoonah loved the company of the fellow homeschoolers and the other kids and the group session with Origami was something ideal for a change! 

 

If you are in Doha your kids must enjoy this session with Afsheen. Head over to Katara Arts Studio every Saturdays 2 to 6 until June 2015, register before that and enjoy and learn. Do not forget to find out what is this w m, w m is all about! You can contact Afsheen via her Facebook Page

Our sincere thanks to Afsheen for the fabulous workshop. Jazzaakillaah Khayr, We hope we could have another one soon Inshaa Allaah if time permits! 

The Hungry Reader!

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Alhamdulillaah with Maimoonah growing by the Grace and Mercy of Allaah challenges grow too! One major challenge that I am facing now is supplying enough appropriate materials to contend her hunger for reading! When she was small it was easier to satisfy her with few books here and there and it was much easier for me scan through the materials before she get them on to her hand.

As a vivid reader from an early age she can just survive only with books from the time she wakes up till she goes to sleep this without wanting to play or do anything else except salaah. I would be so satisfied if she could do that if all the books she reads would be based upon Islaam and all are beneficial.She is fine with it too as long as the books are interesting and gives engaging information. But sadly as you all know it is not that easy to find such books that would be pleasing to our eyes!!!  Few months back I became more and more concerned with what I want her to read. 

Children do love fiction, mysteries, adventures and the likes. As there are differences of opinions with regard to reading fiction books amongst the scholars as much as I would like to totally eradicate such books, I just did not want to do more harm than good by taking that stance, especially because Maimoonah is brought up without TV and exposure to other entertainments like games and etc. She does go online for reading online or do some educational activities. She has no toys except for very very few little things. Of course we take her out to play and engage her in acceptable edutainment activities. Other than all of this most of her time is spent on reading. The challenge for me is no proper library, and even if I am to buy some books they are pretty expensive plus how should I provide something that is balanced and would benefit her?

This led me to consult one of the students of knowledge and discuss my concern. Alhamdulillaah the naseehah I received:

 "Focus upon always finding them some forms of beneficial non-fiction, from historical to practical to craft (knitting crochet sewing, cooking ) etc." 

"In terms of fiction books there is some historical fiction  that seems to not have the dangers of modern books. And Allaah knows best. Because things creep in unnoticed. Here I think you just have to use your discretion and always , make sure to read/skim well before hand."

So I have been thinking on those lines and making some effort to make it beneficial for Maimoonah. We do not have a fully fledged Library here where we can choose materials and benefit and very rarely you would find some good books in the stores and even if you do find some they would cost a huge amount. But Alhamdulillaah my dear friend here in Doha who has 3 girls and are also homeschooled and faces similar challenges invests in books and readily shares everything with us. Last week Maimoonah borrowed these books and this really made me write this post in spite of all my commitments!

These books keep her occupied for hours and she learns too. When she talks about what she read we try to relate that back to the perfectness of Allaah's creation. 

Opening more than 80 odd flaps and looking through the little details makes it fun and exciting indeed.

Working on those lines here are some of ideas that have occurred to me that I hope to make it work when I am relieved of some commitments soon Inshaa Allaah. I thought I would share them here for myself first and for others out there who are in a similar situation.

Islaamic Books

Alhamdulillaah the QMuslimah Library has some nice Islaamic books. So we keep borrowing them in and off. Other than them we focus of the Golden Series of the Companion Books by Darus Salam. I think now they are having a new edition on those series that look much more attractive. These books along with the Sealed Nectar, Stories of the Prophets, Darul Kitab Books, When the Moon Split and the Noble Qur'aan are what Maimoonah reads and re reads especially when she has ran out of other books I am happy to note that she can hang on to these for some hours! 

Non Fiction Books

Look for these kinds of non fiction books that can be useful for a long time. Checkout this website for some nice books as they seem to be much cheaper than others. Science Books and Encyclopedias are doing the job too! Having some hands on experiment guidebooks and sp[lying some of those items to use and try things out would occupy them for sometime and helps them to investigate and discover while acknowledging the ability of Allaah to Create everything. 

Arts and Crafts

Girls this age I think are very creative and love to do more and more arts and crafts activities. Those days just painting would be more than enough but now I find that Maimoonah loves to explore some creativity coupled with imagination. Having some Arts and Crafts books and sewing projects would be a lovely idea with some materials to explore. Especially with the Community Project at the Tarbiyah Classes she is learning how to perfect her crafts and make use of them. So I would want to have some craft supplies and Arts and Crafts books to help her explore Inshaa Allaah. 

Sewing

This is something we need to work on again. Due to time and other commitments we have not being continuing sewing for a long time and hopefully Inshaa Allaah I want to start on easy projects with her soon. Little sewing idea books would also help in this case and would love to get her some supplies soon Inshaa Allaah! 

Fiction
To have a balance I also lookout for some old fiction books with good language and give her those books. Some of the books she has read are some of the famous five books, Sheltie, Animal Ark and few others. Almost all of these books have some thing or the other unislamic contents, so we make sure that they are explained and corrected.

Cook Books
Cooking books and projects are next online. Maimoonah is trying out her cooking skills but I need to make her more independent soon Inshaa Allaah. Reading and understanding some cooking and homemaking skills would benefit her. Need to work on those lines soon Inshaa Allaah!

Trying some healthy snack after reading a recipe! 

Those are few of the things that came to my mind. I am sure many of you are doing these already and please do share what more you do to keep you little reader occupied.

Alhamdulillaah every situation we are in is indeed a blessing and mercy of Allaah that we keep remembering His Greatness and we keep learning many things too. As children grow we need to think ways and means to emphasise more and more the purpose of our creation and make them contend with worshipping Allaah alone and inculcate the passion to do so with whatever is available. May Allaah make it easy for all of us and may He keep our children firm upon His Straight Path. Aameen!