Asalaam ‘Alaikum:

I couldn’t help but add one last post for the day.  I just received a message on one of the homeschooling groups about a new blog that just started (or perhaps it has been around a while and I just didn’t know about it.)  Either way, I think it is a great idea and wanted to spread the word.

Want to check it out?  Here’s the link:  Islamic Bulletin Boards

Who knows, perhaps I will just have to add a link from time to time for a blog or website that I think is really neat – isn’t if fun to share?!

If you have any websites, blogs, etc. that you just can’t live without – do a favor for your other brothers and sisters in Islam – share it!  Let me know if you have anything we should add to our list – for Arabic learning, Islamic Studies, Islam, or anything else you think is beneficial.  Jazak Allah Khair in advance.  When you get a chance – check out the like above – you’ll be glad you did.

Asalaam ‘Alaikum,

Sumayyah Umm SAA

Asalaam ‘Alaikum Everyone:

I’ve started to compile a list of my favorite links – online educational resources that I like to use during our homeschool day. I’ve started to categorize them to make it easier to find what you’re looking for. I actually am compiling the list to use as a resource throughout our school day.

For some reason “bookmarks” are useless for me – I just keep adding them and can’t ever find them when I need them. So, I thought I’d organize them here. Insha’Allah you will also find them useful.

You can find the links here, or simply look at the top of the page and click on “Favorite Learning Links.”

If you have any excellent links to share, please leave a comment. I look forward to hearing from you!

BY THE WAY – - these will be updated as we find them – so check back often, insha’Allah.

Asalaam ‘Alaikum,

Sumayyah Umm Sadiqah – Asma – Ayah

Asalaam ‘Alaikum:
Ramadan is coming soon – I’m surprised there aren’t more posts out there about this already – so I thought I’d start sharing links for teaching your child about Ramadan. Don’t forget – that while we prepare our children and teach them about Ramadan – it is also important to also revive ourselves and to focus on preparing ourselves as well.

Note: As with any links you receive (from anyone) please review the materials first. These links are only meant as a starting point. If there is anything objectionable – leave it. (Sending Islamic links can sometimes be such a touchy subject!) Please be understanding – we all try our best to share information and to help one another, insha’Allah (at least, that’s my purpose). If there are any links that are unacceptable – please forgive me – write up a comment to explain – and please don’t assume that it is anyone’s intention to mislead or harm, insha’Allah. I hate to have to make that statement – but I can’t tell you how many times I have heard people rush to judge someone because of an inappropriate link that was sent mistakenly!

SET GOALS: The first thing you should think about is setting goals – for yourself and your children for this blessed month. If your child sets goals (by themselves or with your assistance) perhaps it would be useful to make some sort of chart or calendar to mark their progress. After setting goals – determine what rewards you will use if you/your child reaches those goals.

What type of goals do we set? How about things like:

• Reciting, reading or memorizing the Qur’an
• Praying extra prayers
• Visiting the sick and needy
• Volunteer work
• Good behavior
• Fasting (for younger children)

You can tailor your goal to your own wants and needs. If you or your child wants (for example) to learn more about a certain Islamic issue/subject – set a goal to learn that subject and mark your/their progress. If you realize that you or your child has not memorized as much of the Qur’an as you/they should – set a goal to learn (for example) a surah a week and do this along with the other required acts of worship during this month.

Especially as you have more children (at least this is my experience) it is more important to actually set out a plan of what you want to do and how you intend to do it. Otherwise, you may end up with great intentions but nothing accomplished. Perhaps you can sit down with your family and make plans for everyone. Here is a great resource – but you may want to make your own:

Why we must plan for Ramadan.

Thinking before planning.

10 Goals to Set this Ramadan.

A Guide to Develop a Personal Plan for Ramadan

Ramadan Plan

Ramadan Checklist

Ramadan Warriors

LEARN MORE ABOUT RAMADAN:

Sometimes we forget about the rulings about Ramadan and other times, we just need to be refreshed and energized for this wonderful month. Here are some informative articles on Ramadan for you and your family:

Ramadan (Soundvision)

Ramadan in UK

Ramadan Information Center

More About Ramadan

Ramadan Awareness Campaign

Check out these posters about Ramadan

INVOLVE YOUR CHILDREN DURING RAMADAN:

Here are some beneficial articles about making Ramadan important to your children:

7 Strategies to Train Kids this Ramadan

Get your child excited about Ramadan

15 Ways to Make Ramadan Special for Children

TEACH YOUR CHILD ABOUT RAMADAN (Crafts / Lessons / Links):

Here are some great links to teach your child about Ramadan – with craft ideas, lessons and other ways to share Ramadan with your child:

My website (Yemenlinks)

Orlando Muslim Mama

Talibiddeen Jr’s Ramadan Page  (Excellent site – very extensive)

Ramadan Fun

Ramadan Competition

I am sure these links are not exhaustive – but they certainly will get you started. Insha’Allah – if you have any links you like to have added – please let me know through the comments.

Asalaam ‘Alaikum,
Sumayyah Umm Sadiqah – Asma – Ayah

Ramadan 2007

Asalaam ‘Alaikum:

Ramadan Mubarrak everyone!  It might be quiet for a while (with the pending baby) but I’m still hoping to work on some more loosely put together lessons, crafts and fun learning experiences with the girls during recovery.  If I come up with anything interesting – I will make a note of it and share it with you when I get the chance, insha’Allah.

I’m hoping some time in the near future to share some of the reading lists of books that I recommend.  While no two people are alike, perhaps it will benefit someone.  During pregnancy I have spent most of my time wedged between several books (don’t ask the library how many books I check out at one time!)  trying to learn more about homeschooling, methods, materials, learning styles, etc.  I have found some favorite books that I have added to my collection and others that were dreadful (but were recommended by others).  As I said, no two people are alike!  Also, I’ve found some absolutely wonderful children’s books over the years (some recently) that I also want to share with you.  I prefer to stay away from books with questionable content – so if that is your goal – the list may be helpful, insha’Allah.

For those of you looking for activities to do to learn more about Ramadan, please check out the following links:

http://www.yemenlinks.com/Ramadan_Lessons.htm

(Sorry if some of the links don’t work on that one – I’ve been so busy I haven’t been able to update the page.) 

 Here is another excellent resource, masha’Allah: 

http://tj-ramadan.tripod.com
I would list more, but haven’t had as much time on the computer to compile a list.  Insha’Allah this will at least get you started.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

May this Ramadan be a source of blessing and happiness for you and your families.

May our actions and duas be accepted and may we all find ways

to improve ourselves and strive for what is good and right, insha’Allah.

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Asalaam ‘Alaikum,

Sumayyah Umm Sadiqah wa Asma

Asalaam ‘Alaikum:

I have finally finished the “What is the Qur’an” lesson plan for my girls.  Insha’Allah it will also benefit your family.  All files and materials related to the lesson plan are located here:

http://www.yemenlinks.com/What_is_Quran.htm

If you find any benefit from these materials – please pass them on, insha’Allah. 

Please feel free to give any comments.  May Allah (swt) forgive me for any mistakes made.

Note:  I am hoping, insha’Allah, in the future to create lesson plans similar to this one (although it may be a while since we are soon expecting).  I would also like to mention that I am thinking of printing off the entire lesson and then putting it into a binder.  This way, when we cover a lesson we can just pull out the appropriate pages and then put them back.  Perhaps we will also put our creations (activities, etc) in the binder.  We are intending to make some of the craft materials as well – since we can’t put them in a binder   I thought we might take pictures with our camera and then paste the picture to construction paper and put those in the binder.  This way, we can easily see later what we did in regards to the lesson plan.

Just wanted to add that my daughters and I have already started these lessons and they really like them a lot (even my 3 year old!)  I think what worked best for them was to preface the lesson by watching the “Qisas al-Anbiya” video of Muhammad (saw) and also reading about the Prophet’s life from his early years until he received the revelation (The Sealed Nectar).  This seemed to make it easier for them to understand what we were discussing – but this may not be an issue if you have older children, inhsha’Allah.

Asalaam ‘Alaikum,
Sumayyah Umm Sadiqah wa Asma 

Asalaam ‘Alaikum:

I have also finally posted some Islamic Learning Materials on my website.  Right now I only have a few materials regarding the Islamic Calendar, but perhaps it will prove useful to someone, insha’Allah.

You can go directly to the website here:  http://www.yemenlinks.com/Islam_Download.htm

Or, you can just select the following new documents:

Islamic Calendar Months Matching Game

Islamic Celandar Months File Folder Game

Islamic Calendar Months for Pocket Charts or Homemade Calendars

If you see any mistakes, please inform me as you do know (at least I hope so) that Arabic is not my first language.  Just trying to share what I am using to teach my children, insha’Allah.  So, please forgive!

Asalaam ‘Alaikum,
Sumayah Umm Sadiqah wa Asma

Asalaam 'Alaikum:

I'm glad I found the following links to maps you can use to teach your child Geography of the Middle East.  While teaching my daughter about the Stories of the Prophets, I have always wished I had a map available to show her what part of the world we are discussing.  Alhumdulilah, finally I found some map tools that promise to be fun and easy to use as well.   

Middle East Map Puzzle

Middle East Interactive Map

Other Maps

Here is a nice printable map.  And another.

I also found this link, which may be fun for older children (I actually found it useful for myself).  Map Game

Here is another Map Game.  And another. 

Asalaam 'Alaikum,

Sumayyah Umm Sadiqah wa Asma