Monday, February 8, 2010

Check it Out (with a bonus): Somewhere In the Ocean

Assalamu alaikum,

This is a recommended book with a bonus: Aside from being a good story, "Somewhere in the Ocean" by Jennifer Ward presents a great opportunity to incorporate a fun math activity. Children learn interesting facts about each animal (and their habitat) as they are also being introduced to counting from 1-10. Even if your child has already mastered counting from 1-10, the story itself is a fun read insha'Allah. The book has beautiful illustrations of sea animals and the rhyming verses are fun to read aloud insha'Allah. 


And, I put together a quick counting activity to be used with the book after a read aloud insha'Allah (see below insha'Allah).
This is a simple counting activity to go with the book alhamdulillah.



As you're reading the book (or after you've read the book insha'Allah), invite the child(ren) to match the animals that were mentioned in the story with the number that shows how many of that particular animal was in the story. In the picture above, there was one manatee in the story, two orca whales and three clown fish. Students will continue matching the animals to the numbers until they reach the number ten insha'Allah. There is control of error in this activity because the number of animal pictures can only match a certain number. For example: If the child finishes the activity and there are clown fish left, they know that they have made a mistake somewhere and can go back and retry insha'Allah.

Insha'Allah, later in the week (if I remember), I'll come back and put pictures of the activity (after I've had my set laminated insha'Allah). Added alhamdulillah!

You can download the 'Somewhere in the Ocean Math Activity' here insha'Allah. The file has Arabic and English numbers included insha'Allah. And you can buy the book, 'Somewhere in the Ocean' here or the next time you're at the library...Check it out insha'Allah!

Enjoy insha'Allah!

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Muslim Name Handwriting Practice Mini-Books

Assalamu alaikum,

Cold, fever, flu
What's a teacher to do?
When everyone is saying "Achoo!"
The next one to get sick is YOU!

That little poem that I thought up just about sums up the latter part of last week (smile). Insha'Allah next week will be different. But toward the end of the week (even with the Achoo!...hehe) I worked on some Muslim name handwriting practice mini-books for the children to practice printing their names insha'Allah. Very simple little books that are easy to put together and each book has a bit of colouring at the end insha'Allah. Here's the mini-book for Adam (This one is black and white but the little pictures on the front of the books are in colour):






(sorry about the lighting in the pictures - snowy day)
This is the second page that has the first letter of the child's name (capitalized).
Each page has one letter of the child's name repeated five times.The last page has their name that they can colour insha'Allah.

I've done the following names (so far alhamdulillah):

-Abdullah (new)
- Aisyah 1 (new)
- Aisyah 2 (new)
- Aisyah 3 (new)
-Mustafa
-Talal

If you would like a mini-book with a name that you do not see on the list above, please leave a comment or email me with the name you would like insha'Allah.

Enjoy insha'Allah!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Ladybug Tot Lapbook Russian Language Files added

Assalamu alaikum,

Jazakillahu Khayr to dear sister Iman who so kindly (and quickly masha'Allah...smile) translated parts of the ladybug tot lapbook into Russian masha'Allah! The Russian language ladybug files have been added to the post alhamdulillah!

Barak Allahu feki dear sis Iman (hug)!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Check it Out: Child's Play

Assalamu alaikum,

This book has many Montessori inspired activities for parents to do with their child(ren) that are fun and educational as well. The book has motor and sensory activities, language development activities, arts and crafts activities, and more, for children ages 12 months to 36 months. The author gives step by step instructions that tell you what materials you will need to do each activity and how to do the activity with your child insha'Allah.  

You can buy the book here or, the next time you're at the library...Check it out insha'Allah!

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Ladybug Desk Name Plates

Assalamu alaikum,

I think we are done with ladybugs insha'Allah (smile). So as a final activity, I tried something new: ladybug desk name plates with the Arabic letters. They are smaller than the standard name plates you buy in the school supply store but their primary purpose is to help with letter recognition insha'Allah.


I made black, red and green desk name plates to give the children a choice insha'Allah. You can download the black here, the red here, and the green here insha'Allah. 

Enjoy insha'Allah!

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Check it Out: The Jacket I Wear In The Snow

Assalamu alaikum,

This book, "The Jacket I Wear In The Snow",  is a cute book for Kindergarten children that twists and winds along in a tongue twisting kind of fashion. The story also has an endearing ending that children may easily relate to insha'Allah.


A fun read that is great for winter insha'Allah. You can buy it here or, the next time you're at the library....Check it out insha'Allah!

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Blog Awards Alhamdulillah

Assalamu alaikum,

Subhana'Allah! I was visiting Rivercity Homeschooler's Blog and I was browsing Umm Tafari's list of homeschooling blogs when I came across the blog Handmade Beginnings, and to my surprise what did I see? Eva from Handmade Beginnings gave my blog an award alhamdulillah ( I actually went back a few times to make sure I wasn't seeing things...*smile*).

Sooo, I sat down and said I need to 1). Say Jazakum Allahu Khayr to the sister who blogs over at Visit me at Home who also gave my blog an award recently and to sis Eva. I really appreciate this dear sisters (hug!) and 2). Sit down and answer the questions and pass the awards on insha'Allah. I don't have many blogs that I read regularly at present (just due to lack of time) so I hope it is okay if I only have a few blogs to pass the awards on to insha'Allah.

And I hope it's okay that I combine those two awards in one post (questions and all...hehe). If not, someone please let me know and I'll do again the right way insha'Allah (smile).

Okay, the first award alhamdulillah from the sister at Visit Me At Home, Jazakillahu Khayr!:



The Questions:
I have to list 10 things that make me happy and then I have to pass the award on insha'Allah. So I am happy...

1). That Allah blessed me to be a Muslim alhamdulillah
2). That Allah sent His Last Messenger to mankind
3). That Allah protects the Quran until the Last Day
4). That the sunnah has always had men to defend it and spread it alhamdulillah
5). That libraries exists alhamdulillah
6). That the doors of forgiveness are still open
7). That I am a teacher by the Mercy of Allah
8). That Allah has permitted and allowed me to help Muslims by doing small things here and there
9). To know that I deserve no praise and that all of the Praise and Thanks is to Allah Alone
10). That Allah is my Lord, that Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa salam) is my Prophet and that Islam is my deen.

So now I have to pass this award on insha'Allah. I pass this award to:


And the second award alhamdulillah from Sister Eva from Homemade Beginnings, Jazakillahu Khayr!:



Hmm...there are a lot of questions here...hehe...and some of them don't apply to me so I'll leave them blank...hope that's okay insha'Allah.

1. Where is your cell phone?
2.Your hair? here
3. Your mother? strong
4. Your father? supportive
5. Your favorite food?
6. Your dream last night? forgot
7. Your favorite drink? water
8. Your dream/goal? Jannah
9. What room are you in?
10. Your hobby? writing
11. Your fear?
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years?
13. Where were you last night? Home
14. Something you aren’t? sleeping
15. Muffins?
16. Wish list item?
17. Where did you grow up?
18. Last thing you did? type
19. What are you wearing? clothes
20. Your TV?
21. Your pets?
22. Your friends? amazing
23. Your life? blessing
24. Your mood? good
25. Missing someone? no
26. Vehicle?
27. Something you’re not wearing? shoes
28. Your favorite store?
29. Your favorite color?
30. When was the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? forgot
32. Your best friend? exceptional
33. One place that I go over and over? library
34. One person who emails me regularly? spam
35. Favorite place to eat? Home

And I pass this award to:

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