Thursday, October 1, 2009

Islamic Felt Board Stories

Assalamu alaikum,

Storytime is one of my favourite times . The limitless possibilities are so inviting. The children, whose imaginations seem to know no limits masha'Allah, are often eager to contribute to the story as it unfolds. And while I usually have a delicious selection of books in my classroom (and at home alhamdulillah), I also like to include the interactive aspect as much as possible during storytime. One of the ways of doing this is with felt story boards.



They are fairly easy to make and they can be a source of independent (or group) play. If you mount the flannel onto cardboard and fold it like a book, you can store the pieces in a plastic bag and take this along in the car or to friends' houses insha'Allah. I haven't done this yet but I intend to do this and attach handles to the book that way it can be easily transported insha'Allah. Whatever you choose, children can make up scores of stories using the felt pieces insha'Allah.

So how do you make a felt story board? You'll be pleasantly surprised to know that it's quite simple (and quick) insha'Allah.


Here's what you'll need insha'Allah:

* A piece of flannel (wash it and dry it before you mount it onto cardboard insha'Allah)

* Felt (colours depend on the story you want to design)

* Scissors

* Glue (not a glue stick)



* Imagination!


How to make your Islamic Felt Board Story insha'Allah:


1). Take a piece of flannel (in solid colour) insha'Allah.

2). Wash and tumble dry the flannel (I haven't personally tried this yet).

3). Place the flannel on a piece of wood or cardboard and fold the flannel over the edges very tightly and hot glue them to the back of the cardboard insha'Allah.

4). Cut out your patterns for the story. Secure the pictures onto pieces of felt using the sewing pins and then cut the pieces out.


5). Outline the pieces with a sharpie pen (I used a fine tip marker and it worked fine alhamdulillah) and then add any details you'd like (i.e. windows, doors, etc) insha'Allah .

6). Commence with storytime insha'Allah!

I almost forgot! Here's a sample story that you can use with the story board above insha'Allah:

In this little town, people drive down the street
They say, “Assalamu alaikum!” to every Muslim they meet.
The children listen to their parents and only say words that are kind,
And whatever they are doing, they keep Allah in their mind.
They love His Prophet and follow his way,
And they try to do good deeds every single day!
 
Tip: I've read (but haven't tried) that you can quickly and easily make felt pieces by printing clipart onto t-shirt iron on paper and then iron the pattern onto the felt and cut them out. This I want to try insha'Allah!

Enjoy Insha'Allah!

2 comments:

  1. As Salaamu Alaykum, What a clever idea! I like making felt boards with the kids,masha Allah. Perhaps we can make one related to out special book "Hudayfa Learns About Allah" insha Allah.
    Jazakallahu Khair!

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  2. Waalaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

    Wa iyaki and oohh! That would be cute! Masha'Allah, you've got such great ideas sis Umm Abdul Basir (and I'm not saying that because of the book you chose...*smile*)!

    Jazakillah Khayr dear sis!

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