I Have Two Hands

Asalaam 'Alaikum:

 

For some reason I was bitten by the creative bug today and came up with this little song (nasheed) that you can sing with your child and include in your "Allah Made Hands" lesson plan.  Sorry I can't provide any idea of how to sing it though - it is just in my head.  As a hint, each section rhymes exactly the same way.

 

Hopefully, though, you will be able to come up with something as I found it to rhyme quite nicely - and my kids get a great kick out of Mommy actually writing something for them.

 

 

I Have Two Hands 

I have two hands

To grasp and throw

My bouncy ball to you

 

We play together happily

And Allah I must thank you.

 

Two hands to write

Two hands to hold

Two hands to climb a tree

 

Allah you made

These hands for me

And I use them thankfully.

 

I have two hands

To cut and paste

To make a gift for you

 

I can make so many things

And Allah I must thank you.

 

Two hands to write

Two hands to hold

Two hands to climb a tree

 

Allah you made

These hands for me

And I use them thankfully.

 

I have two hands

To help you up

When you do fall down.

 

We help each other when we can

So Allah I must thank you.

 

Two hands to write

Two hands to hold

Two hands to climb a tree

 

Allah you made

These hands for me

And I use them thankfully.

 

©  Sumayyah Umm Sadiqah wa Asma (2006)

Instant Math StoryMats

Asalaam 'Alaikum:
Note: I am also going to post this under "Arabic Learning Materials."  I have found several things in my search that work well with both English and Arabic learning.  If you have an Arabic speaker in the house, they could easily translate these short stories and use them to learn Arabic Math Skills.  Or, you could easily use the materials and have the Arabic Speaker make up their own stories.  Siince numbers are not written on the  materials - they are very versatile for bilingual instruction - which is a plus with me.

Just wanted to let everyone know about a cute little math book that helps to teach primary math skills.  It is entitled "Instant Math StoryMats."  I am currently using Saxon Math for Kindergarden but thought I'd also throw in some fun things to do from time to time.We just finished a math mat and my daughter actually begged to do another one!  The book contains pictures of scenes - for example, a park, or a kitchen table with place settings.  I just made copies - colored them with colored pencil and laminated.  The book also has little stories that requires your child to use colored markers of some sort (we've been using colored beads) to act out the story on the story mat.

Here are some of the skills that are learned with the mats:

Position
Order
Sorting
Size
Counting
Skip Counting
Addition
Subtraction
Multiplication
Division
Matching
Shapes / Geometry
Comparing numbers
Patterning
Measurement
Estimation
Fractions
Money
Probability
Graphing
Reasoning

I guess because they are using manipulatives it seems to be more fun and they don't realize they are learning - I know my daughter really likes it.  If you are interested in the book - you could always check your local library to see if its available.  I found mine through inter-library loan.

Each math mat has at least one or two stories - but I think if you do it after a while you will get the hang of it and create your own stories easily.

Insha'Allah this may interest someone.

Asalaam 'Alaikum,
Sumayyah Umm Sadiqah wa Asma