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Ideas & LessonPlans for Islamic WeekendSchools
jannah
10/09/03 at 20:08:45
[slm] Ok after chatting with ms. nural lail we thought it would be a good idea to start a thread where we can post some ideas and lesson plans we use in our different classes... to give some inspiration and creativity to other fellow teachers... Ok despite doing a masters in education.. these are not gonna follow the lesson plan goal-objective-procedure-feedback etc format.. cuz i'm just lazy and inshallah u guys can do ur own (y do i get the feelin' im gonna get beat by labinsky and other real teachers ;)) so here goes inshaalllah...
10/09/03 at 20:21:03
jannah

Re: Ideas & LessonPlans for Islamic WeekendSchools
jannah
10/09/03 at 20:33:19
SUBJECT: Ramadan ACTIVITY: Ramadan Posters - Write different 'elements' of Ramadan on the board as you teach about Ramadan.  ie gates of Hell being closed, Shaitan being tied up, Deeds worth 700x's more, Quran being revealed etc. -Then divide up the class into groups of 3-4. -Ask each group to figure out a way to represent each of the elements of Ramadan into their poster and to make sure they include all of the elements as they go. -Give each group a posterboard, some glue, markers, scissors and some old magazines and let them go to it! -Let everyone 'vote' or you decide which is the best poster and give that group a prize.. and everyone else a conciliatory prize (hey it's Ramadan!).

Re: Ideas & LessonPlans for Islamic WeekendSchools
jannah
10/09/03 at 20:38:52
SUBJECT: Ramadan ACTIVITY: Ramadan Calendars -Make and photocopy a calendar of Ramadan that includes all the days numbered as squares. Include also a note of directions to parents to mark each day the child does something good - like fast or read Quran or go to the Masjid and provide room for their signature. -On the board in class ask kids what are good deeds you can do during Ramadan and write them down. -Ask kids to bring home the calendar and keep it on their fridge and room and mark each day they do something good with their parents supervising. -Ask them to bring back the calendar marked for each day with their parents signature after Ramadan for a prize!

Re: Ideas & LessonPlans for Islamic WeekendSchools
jannah
10/09/03 at 20:57:59
SUBJECT: Ramadan ACTIVITY: Ramadan Mubarak Banner -Best if done with a class of younger students. -Write out Ramadan Mubarak! on a long banner or print one out using the computer and tape it together. You can add -from the Class of .... in small lettering underneath. -Ask each student to put their hands down on the banner and outline with a pencil. -Each student should then color in their hand. -And then hang up for the whole class or school to see.

Re: Ideas & LessonPlans for Islamic WeekendSchools
Maliha
10/09/03 at 21:28:28
[slm] awwwwwwwwww....Jannah you are soooo sweettttt :'( {{{{hugggggggggsssssssssssssss}}}}} *Sniffing loudly on your shoulder*:'( i feel sooo spayshallll......  :-* Inshaallah this weekend, when i finally get a chance to really breathe, i will add on my ideas :) I hope some other creative souls on this board will add their elements, espayshally the cheaChers ;) Alhamdullillah for this amazing forum  ;D sentimental sissy :-) :'( :-) [wlm]

Re: Ideas & LessonPlans for Islamic WeekendSchools
AyeshaZ
10/13/03 at 20:48:20
[slm] sisters keep it coming alhamdulilah.. eventhough not an *official* teacher yet.. :)  just a helper :)

Re: Ideas & LessonPlans for Islamic WeekendSchools
sofia
11/03/03 at 15:22:44
As-salaamu `alaykum wa rahmatullah and  [] Ok, thought I'd re-vamp this thread since I'm clueless and need some serous help from teachers, moms, etc. What do you do with 5-year olds? I've never had to teach such young kids (Sunday school), adorable as they are, masha'Allah. I'm not sure this particular class of mine is up for handling scissors and glue and whatnot - frankly, the thought scares me.  :o They like listening to stories, and  have another teacher who teaches them some short surahs (although I'd prob want to get them some cut-out Arabic letters and an audio-tape of short surahs). Any other suggestions related to stories of the Prophet (S) and Allah (SWT) that goes over well with small children? About crafts, I like the Ramadan banner idea. Just spoke with a friend who's teaching the same age group, who gave the following additional ideas, off-hand: 1. Ramadhaan bookmarks, with beads and strings, etc. 2. Sadaqah: ask them to bring in coins/$ to put in the donation box. 3. Teach them Islaamic songs (anyone have any suggestions of actual tapes/cds? I have a bunch of Dawud Wharnsby stuff, but what about Islaamic songs set to the tune of other well-known songs?) 4. Have them "fast" from 10-12pm and then have an iftaar party. 5. Print out activity sheets/pics to color from www.playandlearn.org. Any other suggestions/ideas for 5-year olds? Jazaakum Allahu Khayr.  :)
11/03/03 at 15:29:11
sofia

Re: Ideas & LessonPlans for Islamic WeekendSchools
jannah
11/03/03 at 15:59:07
[wlm] I am teaching 4-7 year old girls right now as one class and boy has it been a learning experience going from 13 year olds down to this age!!  One time I asked one of the students why she wasn't writing down what I was writing on the board and she said "But but... I don't know how to write!!!!!" and I was like ...doh so now have to get used to changing everything because the kids don't know how to read or write!! Basically the class is broken up as follows in the 3 hours: Quran- Going over the short Surahs wherever they are up to. I made a star chart of the Surahs with their names and every time they know a surah perfectly they get a star!  Get a good tape of a recitor reading Juzz Amma backwards and u can use that in class or make copies for the kids since many parents don't know how to read/pronounce or haven't memorized the surahs their kids are learning! There's this great one that has a man reciting the surahs from nas up and after each verse kids are repeating after him. Don't know where it can be found but check around. Arabic- This is teaching them the letters and how to read Arabic which will be very important for the future.  There's some nice workbooks like "Sail away with Arabic letters" that have them learn the letters and copy them. Also some videos like Alif is for Asad are good. I still am trying to figure out how to advance to tashkeel.. They are so smart they memorize how I say them like aa oo ee, baa boo bee but then when u put them out of order they have no idea! grr Islam- At this young age its kind of difficult.. you'll have two groups: those that don't comprehend and those that do.  The basic goal is to teach them very generally the 5 pillars and the 6 pillars of iman and some things about good behavior, etiquette in the mosque(saying salam, keeping it clean), wudu&prayer. This is interspersed with stories like prophet's stories and others, songs -dawud wharnsby is good and there are others, coloring (check out jannah.org/thecave click on artists) for some akhlaq coloring sheets and some Adam's world videos. I think Goodwords books are the best books with coloring and stories for kids although their wording is a little high level. They have nice pictures and stuff. There's a coloring book of Salah somewhere that is good and u can teach each part and have them color it.

Re: Ideas & LessonPlans for Islamic WeekendSchools
jannah
11/03/03 at 16:18:07
SUBJECT: Ramadan ACTIVITY:  Ramadan Lanterns FOR OLDER KIDS: - Discuss special elements of Ramadan on board. - Get colored construction paper and let kids choose what color they like. - Tell them to fold paper horizontally 1/3rd of the way up. - Re-open and cut sections from the bottom up to the crease. - In the 2/3rd empty section write RAMADAN with nice lettering, crayons, glitter - In the bottom flap sections.. in each one draw or cut out a picture from a magazine/paper and paste it... something  that represents one element of Ramadan. - When done fold paper into a cylinder and staple/tape. - Make holes at the top and put some yarn through to hang up. - Stretch yarn across the classroom and hang up everyone's Ramadan lantern! FOR YOUNGER KIDS: -Take a piece of paper and fold it up one/third of the way horizontally. Then in the 2/3 empty space write RAMADAN. The bottom 1/3 make into sections and draw things representative of Ramadan like a  Quran or people praying or a mosque, no food or drink symbol. - Photocopy and give to kids to color - Then you cut out the bottom flaps and turn it into a cylinder and put it up for the kids in the classroom.

Re: Ideas & LessonPlans for Islamic WeekendSchools
timbuktu
11/03/03 at 22:00:05
[slm] don't know if this post belongs here, but sis jannah is talking again about Ramadan Lanterns. I asked previously what these were, because i had never heard of them (doesn't say much about my knowledge,  :) ), but no enlightenment received. OK, i found on IOL, that these are called "Fanoos", well that is a word i understand. & that these are a feature at least in Egypt. Since sis jannah stayed sometime in Syria, i guess this would be in Syria, too. but again it is my guess: this won't be in Saudi Arabia. now my question: does anyone know the time this was introduced as a Ramadan thing, & the reasons behind the use of Fanoos? just interested!
11/04/03 at 00:40:00
timbuktu

Re: Ideas & LessonPlans for Islamic WeekendSchools
jannah
11/03/03 at 23:28:08
[wlm] Sorry Timbuktu I was trying to find the nice ARAMCO article that had all this information about Ramadan lanterns but it's not online :(  The lanterns are a cultural ramadan type thing.  I read one place they used to put special ramadan lanterns around for those going to Taraweeh before there were lights. Others say it dates back to the time of Harun al Rashid and others to the early Fatimids. And others say it pre-dates Islam and is something that people just do for fun. Since it's not part of ibadat, i think it's cool to let the kids have some fun. Allahu alam..

Re: Ideas & LessonPlans for Islamic WeekendSchools
timbuktu
11/04/03 at 00:52:41
[slm] Oh, Jannah, thanks. i guessed most of what you have written about the Fanous - sort of like streets lights which were first lighted with oil, then town gas, & then carbon filament, then tugsten filament, the halogen & sodium lamps. but i need confirmation, or rather actual facts. now: in the ME, how do they light it up - candles? You know in Pakistan, & probably India as well, the cart-vendors & even shop-keepers (without electricity) at night have what we call "Petromax", probably the name of a company that manufactured them. These are lanterns lighted with kerosine oil, which is pumped by hand at high pressure. give very bright white light. i would still like to learn more. do we have any from these regions where these Ramadan lanterns are used?
11/04/03 at 00:55:04
timbuktu

Re: Ideas & LessonPlans for Islamic WeekendSchools
sofia
11/04/03 at 18:27:25
[slm] Jazaaki Allahu khair, Jannah, that's helpful. Any more suggestions, anyone? [focus, people, focus] :)

Re: Ideas & LessonPlans for Islamic WeekendSchools
timbuktu
11/06/03 at 02:59:15
[slm] my previous post on this topic had a link which necessiated the removal of the post. However, i repost without the link. about Fanoos. this is what i found. Thought it may be of interest: Fanoos (Lantern) is just pure fun for the kids , nothing more. Of all the Islamic countries, Fanoos is most common in Egypt, as part of the culture, a tradition that goes back all the way to the reign of the Fatimid Caliphate. The night before Ramadan, the Caliph would go outside to look for the moon signaling the beginning of the month of Ramadan. The children of the town would go out with the Caliph and light the way for him. Each child would carry a fanoos and sing songs to welcome in the new month of Ramadan. Fanoos is traditionally made of tin and colored glass, with a candle inside. Some modern ones are battery operated, but do not have the same charm. Kids who grew up in the past century, before electricity were available, loved Fanoos as it was a way to have their own light and not just any light a colorful  light . It was perfect light in the dark of the night. It is lighted with candles. Going out of their homes after they break their fast (if they fast) at sunset, the streets would be dark (no electricity) and the only light is coming from their fanoos. They get together and sing songs  (singing "wahawy ya wahawy") and play kid games, or may visit an elder who tell them a story. Fanoos comes in different sizes and colors and even different shapes. Some manufacturers even made it in modern shapes, e.g. car, rocket,  aeroplane ...etc. in addition to some old fashioned shapes of minarate, tree, crescent...etc. The painting by the Egyptian artist Ali Dessouqi's , bright and deceptively simple pantheon, shows kids playing with the fanoos.
11/06/03 at 03:33:17
timbuktu

Re: Ideas & LessonPlans for Islamic WeekendSchools
timbuktu
11/06/03 at 03:43:06
[slm] ideas for projects: -------- Project One Mosque Craft Mobile · Make a copy of an Islamic Design, for example a drawing of a simple Mosque with a Minaret, like the one above. You can simplify it to the best you can, depending on the ability and age of the children. · Copy the above (Ramadan) poem in an attractive font to the size you need to place it inside the Mosque picture. The poem can be split into two halves, with each half glued to the right or left side of the door of the mosque in the diagram,  i.e. on top of the area of the windows in the diagram. · Make additional copies after you have glued the poem inside for the amount of children participating. · Glue pictures to thin cardboard, and then cut out around the outline of the Mosque. · Have children color and/or decorate with colored glitter. · Punch a hole in the top of the Mosque and tie a long string or ribbon through it to hang from the ceiling.   ----- Project Two Ramadan Calendar Chain -Cut colored strips of construction paper into approx. 8" lengths. (30 strips for each child) · Glue or staple strips of construction paper into a chain. -You will need 30 links (rings) in your chain. One for each day until the end of Ramadan. -Make a pretty pattern, alternate the colors of the rings. -You may attach the completed chain to the bottom of your designed mosque in project one or to other designs, e.g. a large crescent, or a star.. -Hang it on a wall or in a doorway. -Everyday neatly tear off one of the rings all the way to the end of Ramadan.  Remind the children that Ramadan can be either 29 or 30 days ----- Project Three Charity Decorated Jar Ramadan is that time of the year to rememer most the poor and the needy. Charity is a big part of the celebration of the month of  Ramadan. Ask the children to bring a jar. Explain to them that in the jar they will collect coins for the whole month of Ramadan. Help the  children decorate the jar, using colorful stickers of their choice. Let them collect coins in it , either from their allowance or make an arrangement with their parents to give them some of the change they have in their pockets, every day.for the remainder of the month. At the end of the month, let the children count the change and give it to the mosque or any other charity organization that helps those in need. ----- Project Four Ramadan Lantern (Fanoos) (read about Fanoos Ramadan, click here.) Use  white construction paper or use different color construction papers. Use a stencil or trace for them the shape of the lantern. They can then color it with red, yellow, blue, green, purple,gold, or silver crayons, pencils, or markers. Every section of the fanoos should have a different bright color. Otherwise, make all the sections of the fanoos from different color construction paper and glue them together on a cardboard backing so they could hang them on a string. If you prefer you can trace for them the three D model and let them color it. Fold one half on the other to complete the circle and transform it into a stand alone fanoos. You may glue the fanoos on a base of cardboard to make it easy to stand.   ------ Project Five Simple Night sky and moon Project For younger children, Use black or blue construction paper for a night sky background. Use a stencil or trace for them the shape of the crescent moon. They can color it with white, yellow, gold, or silver crayons, pencils, or markers. If they can draw stars by themselves, let them add stars, or let them stick on stars (the self-sticking kind). You may also cut circles out of black paper, glue them on a cardboard backing so the children could hang them on a string, and have the children draw in with glitter pens near one edge to make the crescent shape. That way they get the idea that the crescent is only a small part of the whole circle of the moon. The teacher could also let some children color in quarter, half, and three-quarter moons to show the waxing and waning during the lunar month. ----- Project Six Moon Project For younger children, As we know Ramadan begins and ends with the birth of the new moon. This project will be a good one  for preschoolers. 1- Let each group of children (4-6 children in a group),  work together to create a night sky on a black or dark blue construction paper. If they can draw stars by themselves, let them add stars, or let them stick on stars (the self-sticking kind) or a combination of both. They can use white, yellow, gold, or silver crayons, pencils, or markers. 2- Create a moon for every group or let them do it, if they can cut a circle in a white construction paper. You may also use a black construction paper then color it white or silver to represent a full moon. 3- Slice each moon into 6 pieces, they will be crescent shapes. You may cut the moon into two halves first, then each half into three pieces. Number these pieces on the back to remember which piece comes next. Remember that each half moon takes seven days to develop. It takes two weeks to develop into a full moon. Each piece will represent a stage of the moon. 4- As you go through the month, ask the children to observe the moon every night from the first day. When they come to the class ask them to use glue or better to use velcro to stick the first piece (crescent) on the night sky background. Every 2-3 days as they see the moon getting bigger, you can let them add the next piece. Keep doing this to the end of the month. Remember the second half of the month you will have to remove pieces, one by one every 2-3 days, until there is no moon at the end of the month. ----- Project Seven Sunset View of the sky and Horizon For older children, A two day project. Before the project, ask them to look and observe the colors of the sunset and an outline of buildings/houses in their neighborhood. Let each child wet a piece of white paper, then paint stripes of colors (red, orange, pink, purple, like the sunset) horizontally across the paper with water color paints. The colors should blur together because of the wetting. This is the background. The next day, on a piece of black construction paper, trace the outline of some buildings, houses, mosque, or local landmark in the middle of the paper (try to keep it simple). The lower half of the paper will be the lower floor(s) of the houses/buildings. Then cut along the outline so that the top half of the paper (where the sky would be) falls away. You should be left with the shape of the buildings in profile. Glue the black paper to the sunset background. The colors will appear above and between the buildings. You can add an appropriate phrase about breaking fast or sunset prayer above or below. ----- Project Eight Night sky, the moon, the stars and the children For older children, Since Ramadan gets the attention of the children to the night sky, the moon and the stars it can be used for a good educational experience. Encourage the children to make a "night sky" using three-dimensional material such as pipe cleaners, cotton balls, ping pong balls, clay, and pasted paper. See if these three-dimensional materials cause the children to talk about the location and distance of objects in the sky and space. You might have to help them with some of the technical problems so that they can hang clouds, stars, and moon. You might give them a big paste board box painted black on the inside. Make it easy for them to hang items at different places from the "ceiling" of the "night sky." And remember, the objective is not to make a good looking night sky out of art material. The objective is to get the children talking about their theories of what things are in the earth's sky and what things are in outer space, and where does the change happen from sky to space and so on. The product does not have to look like a sky, it only needs to stimulate a high quality conversation among the children. Take the chance and teach them about the sky, the space, the stars and the moon.
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