Pre-Writing and Cut & Paste Worksheets

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

These are pre-writing worksheets and a cutting worksheet that I put together to help children (from about 2 years old) begin to learn how to trace a vertical line and progress to more challenging lines and angles insha'Allah and to learn to use a glue stick.

I intend to laminate the writing practice worksheets, place a dry erase marker in a basket with each mat (one at a time, in succession) and after demonstrating how to use the mat and marker, allow the activity to be used whenever the interest arises insha'Allah. The cutting practice worksheet involves practice with using a glue stick for younger children and practice using scissors (both fine motor skill work) for older children.

The Cutting & Gluing Practice Worksheet

A line appears around the scissors in the PDF file but not to worry, it does not print.

I was surprised by how much excitement this activity generated masha'Allah!

One child's  finished project

Download Cutting Practice worksheet here insha'Allah (Arabic)

Download Cutting Practice worksheet here insha'Allah (English)

The Vertical Line Tracing Workmat

Download Vertical Line Tracing Mat here insha'Allah (Arabic)

Download Vertical Line Tracing Mat here insha'Allah (English)

The Horizontal Line and Angles Workmat (or worksheet)

Download Horizontal Line Tracing Mat here insha'Allah (Arabic)

Download Horizontal Line Tracing Mat here insha'Allah (English)

Enjoy insha'Allah!

Cards for the "Allah Created..." Pre-School Sorting Mats

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

Here are a few cards for children to use with the "Allah Created... Pre-School Sorting"  Mats from this post (Click on the image for a larger view insha'Allah).

Download cards here insha'Allah.

If you need more please let me know *smile*

Enjoy insha'Allah!

Arabic Letters Postcard Activity

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

Like many teachers, each year I usually send home a classroom newsletter that lets parents/guardians know what we will be doing the upcoming week in class insha'Allah. Hmm...little grey cells working again alhamdulillah....

I think this idea may be a way to accomplish several things at one time (at least in one area of the curriculum) insha'Allah: 1). Writing practice, colouring, word/picture association 2). Learning the names of family members/their titles and the proper way to spell them 3). Learning to correctly print and spell your own name - the child that is...hehe 3). Teaching children the proper way to address a letter (this is part of the kindergarten curriculum in many places too) 4). Increasing Arabic word vocabulary 5). And it's a cute way to keep parents informed about what their child is learning. So this idea? Arabic Letter postcards:

The front of the postcard which the child will colour insha'Allah.

This shows the letter we are learning this week and some words that begin with this letter.

The back, which has pre-printed text for children who are not at the composing stage yet. This one has a family members title already inserted but children get one with a blank line and they will write the person's name/title on the line (or teacher/parent can write what the child dictates) insha'Allah.

  

For homeschooling, this idea works in much the same way except the postcards can be mailed to extended family members insha'Allah. Now won't people be surprised to get a postcard in the mail from the little one? Maybe insha'Allah...I think so....well I hope so!...lol.

We also completed a multi-sensory activity for the letter zay - a harf zay mobile with foam flowers (zahrah) .

Give children a large construction paper letter zay and some foam flowers. For the glue, the parent can put the glue onto the back of each flower and then let the child glue each flower onto the letter zay whereever they please insha'Allah.

Tomorrow, insha'Allah, we will being doing a craft with buttons (zirr) to continue our study of the letter zay. Hmm...I wonder if I can locate some different carpet (zarbeyah) squares to make texture circles (there is a reason they will be circles *smile*) for children to explore insha'Allah.

As for the postcards, insha'Allah, each week/month I will make a postcard to correspond to the letter we are learning. These will be completed and mailed out insha'Allah (if the poste service here allows that insha'Allah...but we'll try insha'Allah...lol).

If you happen to be teaching your child the letter zay...poste away insha'Allah!

Here's the file: Postcard: Harf Zay

Enjoy insha'Allah!

"Allah Created...." Pre-School Sorting Mats

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

These are sorting mats that can be used to help children sort (classify) what Allah has Created (there are no black borders around the mats in the file). Laminate the mats (optional), place a stack of picture cards in a basket and place the basket with the mat on a tray. Invite the child to sort the cards based on their attributes. This is also an easy math centre activity that can also be done in pairs or small groups insha'Allah.

Download Arabic Version here insha'Allah

Download English version here insha'Allah

This is just a variation of the mat above (using circles to sort):

Download English Version here insha'Allah

If I remember correctly insha'Allah, sis Umm Maimoonah is going to use pictures from magazines to teach sorting different things in Allah's Creation based on the following attributes: People, Places and Things. You can see her curriculum plan here insha'Allah.

More to come insha'Allah.....oh! Maybe I should have made some cards to go with them?

Enjoy insha'Allah!

Where is Allaah? Mini-Workbook

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

This is a small workbook to help with Islamic Studies for pre-school aged children who are studying the important answer to the important question, "Where is Allaah?". 

The book includes work with direction words (i.e. up, down, above, etc.), cutting practice (i.e. cut and paste), answering questions for comprehension and colouring.

If you find any errors please do not be shy to let me know insha'Allah.

**Picture updated. File corrected alhamdulillaah**

Download 'Where is Allaah?' 

(the book is Black and White)

Download 'Where is Allaah ' عربي فقط) من هنا إن شاء الله)

!جزاك الله خيرا أختي أم عبد الله

Enjoy insha'Allah!

In the Kitchen Posts Updated (Files Added Alhamdulillah)

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

Alhamdulillah, I've added the files for the "In the Kitchen" file folder game and the Tot Book (Arabic only).

Insha'Allah, I'll add the English version for the tot book later today.

Enjoy insha'Allah!

Raising Children in Islam - Part 2

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

By Shaykh Khaalid Ar-Raddaadee

Raising Children in Islam - Part 2

(Have you read Part 1?)

1. Beware of their Aqeedah

2. Beware of letting them imitate the disbelievers (1. Dress 2. Speech 3. Manners).

3. Beware of our language and actions in front of them

4. Beware of spoiling them, because this makes them think that they can get whatever they want, plus it makes them unconcerned with other people (when they're sad or happy).

5. Beware of being harsh and severe it may make the child hate the parents and might make their hearts hard. Narrated 'Aishah: A Bedouin came to the Prophet and said, "You (people) kiss the boys! We don't kiss them." The prophet said, "I cannot put mercy in your heart after Allaah has taken it away from it." (Bukhari vol. 8 # 5998)

6. Having mercy on the children is important, it wins Allah's Mercy

7. Be consistent in what you teach your children (practice what you convey)

8. Constantly remind your child to lower their gaze and cover their private parts, even though they are young.

9. Being careful of arguing in front of the children because this will corrupt the hearts of the children and cause them to hate one of them.

10. Because the parents are stingy, this corrupts the children, because it makes them steal.

11. Beware of spending a lot of time out of the house and not paying attention to your kids.

12. From the bad habits is when the child wants to speak, and the parents tell him/her to be quiet. This gives them or makes them have low self esteem. (We have to be careful).

13. The parents are verily negligent when it comes to the children education.

Your Brothers in Islaam,

The Islamic information and Research Center of Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab

(Abu Abdul Hady on "Raising Children in Islam")

Source: Pink Islam

Felt Food: Hmm...this could be fun

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

Well, this could really be a fun hobby subhana'Allah. Last night I found several sites with free felt food patterns and even though I didn't use the patterns (only because I haven't any idea about how to even begin to use a pattern...lol), these were easy enough to do free hand alhamdulillah.

On the plate: Another egg, two orange slices and two sugar cookies

Insha'Allah, I think I will now try that piece of bread that sis Talibideen Jr. suggested...hehe....

Felt Food: First Egg

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

I think I could really enjoy our "In the Kitchen" theme! There is so much you can do with this subhana'Allah!

To go with our tot book and other activities, I decided to give felt food a try (making it that is...lol). Are you ready?

Tayyib, into the skillet with you little egg....

This was so easy to make and so much fun alhamdulillah! Now, what else can I make insha'Allah? I'll have to find something easy because this was my first felt food attempt so I don't want to get ahead of myself....

Enjoy insha'Allah!

Tot Book: In the Kitchen

Assalamu alaikum,

Here is the tot book for things we find and do in the kitchen:

This is the front with the cards for the book

The middle and left page/flap

The left flap: A refrigerator. The door opens and inside...

A little accordion book unfolds to show things that are found in the fridge.

The middle page activities: "What is in the cabinet" and "What is in the oven?"

There are word cards and matching picture cards. I put the picture in the cabinet first and then I closed the cabinet door. I placed the word card in the box and pointed to (i.e. ran my finger under the word from right to left) the word as I read it.

I then invited the child to open the cabinet to see the picture that matched the word. This was to begin a foundation for reading words insha'Allah.

The oven door opens and I hide a card showing a type of food that is cooked in the oven (no words). The child is invited to open the oven door and we say the name of the picture we find inside. Hmm..we can also talk about why these foods were not in the cabinet...

These cards are in the right hand flap in a pocket. They show things we do in the kitchen with simple sentences describing the actions shown on the cards.

Here is the poster that accompanies the tot book and the file folder game for this unit study.

This poster hangs next to the play stove and shows some of the items that are in the play kitchen/stove (the items are all real, child sized items - not toys).

A close-up of part of the poster

I did not post any of the files for this tot book or the file folder game because I do not know if I will have time to type the transliteration (my apologies).  I guess this is more of a sharing an idea kind of post (maybe not..lol)...

Alhamdulillah, here is the Arabic version (English coming soon insha'Allah *smile*) of the tot book:

Download Fil Matbagh Tot Book (Arabic)

Enjoy insha'Allah!

File Folder Game: In the Kitchen

Assalamu alaikum,

Toddlers have this interest in housework that is focused, intent and adorable masha'Allah. A bit after Eid, I noticed this interest becoming very strong and so I made a stove using a large sturdy cardboard box (I'm not showing that so you won't laugh too hard...lol) to compliment this interest.

There is a principle in Montessori education called "Follow the child". I like this because the way the child takes to the activities you present is a joy to see. Because the activity presented is flowing off of a child-initiated interest, there is little need to try to entice the child to the activity - they come to it willingly and with joy subhana'Allah.

To compliment and extend this suddenly strong interest in housework, I put together a tot book, file folder game and poster to be used with the stove and other practical life materials we use alhamdulillah.

Here is the file folder game:

This game incorporates language (the sentences), counting and recognizing the symbols that represent quantity.

Insha'Allah, I'll post the tot book later today and the remaining activities. Check back....

Alhamdulillah, here is the file for this game:

Download 'In the Kitchen' File Folder Game

(in the PDF file, the cups - if I remember correctly - appear to have lines around them but do not worry those lines do not appear when you print the file alhamdulillah)

Enjoy insha'Allah!

Raising Children in Islam - Part 1

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

Raising children in Islam (part 1)

By Shaykh Khaalid Ar-Raddaadee

Raising children in Islaam is a serious MATTER; the Muslim family is an important pillar in the society. the verses in the Qur'aan order doing good to kids, because they are a trust from Allaah…

"SAVE yourselves and your families from a fire whose fuel is stones and men…" (Surah 66: verse 6)

The Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa salaam) said: "Every one of you is a guardian over his flock and he is responsible for his flock." (Buhkari/Muslim)

Part 1 Beneficial statements in raising children in Islaam

1. Choosing a proper mate is important in raising children in Islaam (child will take on characteristics of the mother).

2. Make dua for righteous child (this is manhaj of the righteous).

3. Important to understand that children are a gift from Allaah (No burden should be felt when attending to their needs).

4. It's prohibited to dislike female children.

5. Seek Allaah's help in raising children. (one who doesn't seek help will loose).

6. Be concerned with constantly making du'a for your children (avoid making du'a against them) the prophet said: "Do not make du'a against yourself or your children." (Sahih Muslim).

7. Choose good proper names for children and avoid bad names. (It effects behavior) Ibnul Qayyim said: "It is rare that you find someone with a bad name accept that they have a bad character."

8. Place in their heart the aqeedah saheeha, and be constant in it. (the testimonies of faith, issues of Tawheed, The Ulooh of Allaah, etc).

9. Show concern for learning the Book of Allaah with the highest concern (Day and night -memorizing it).

10. Teach them good manners and keep them far removed from evil manners and the like ( 1.Goodness 2. Taqwa 3. Ilm 4. Eating with right hand 5. Speaking with respect to elders- 1. Keep them from lying 2. and disobedience to parents).

11. Teach them the forms of remembrance of Allaah.

12. Parents be good examples for children (see parents make salaah, see us practice what we say).

13. Remove evil from home, far away from home (1. magazines 2. T.V. 3. pictures 4. radio).

14. Father show concern for boy, building him upon manhood (1. Keep them busy, striving, active 2. Don't keep the[m] lazy, 3. Teach them roughness (manhood).

15. Teach responsibility, self dependent (confident) trust them with affairs.

16. Father should spend time with children, no matter how busy he is.

17. Father should take children to the Masjid (1. especially at age (7) 2. when older, order them to go to the Masjid

18. Take them to lectures of knowledge

19. Show that you are paying attention to them (1. Don't turn away to right or left 2. especially small children)

20. The parents (especially the father) should watch a child from a distance (1. Wudu 2. Salaah 3. Relationships 4. Clothes 5. What they are reading)

21. Choose the best Islaamic School for Child (1. Investigate Staff 2. Look at school companions)

22. The parents should have understanding between them (1. Show no disagreement in front of them 2. The child will be more influenced by home than street)

23. If Talaaq takes place, parents should fear Allaah and not use kids to their advantage (make the child hate the other) child will leave or not want to deal with neither one of them.

* The parents shouldn't look at this Tarbiyyah as being useless. From the beginning it will seem to be no benefit, but it might benefit later on. Even if you don't see it in your lifetime it might happen after your death, and or Allaah will reward you in Jinnah.

Your Brothers in Islaam,

The Islamic information and Research Center of Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab

(Abu Abdul Hady on "Raising Children in Islam"). Source: Pink Islam

Part 2 Coming Soon insha'Allah!

Together We Read: Shapes Mini-Unit Using a Wonderful Book

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

This is a very cute book! And you can get this book on Amazon.com for a penny! I know, I know, me and that penny again....lol...but really a book for a penny...hard to pass up (and it's a board book!). Keep reading and at the end of this post insha'Allah, you'll see why this book is not only cute but unique in it's presentation and method of teaching shapes.

I thought this book was so cute that I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to do some activities with it.

Here is the first (and here the most popular alhamdulillah) activity:

Over-head view

To make this, I took a box and made cardboard separators for each shape and the needle and thread. I placed three different shapes (which were all in the book) into the box with the needle. Because I demonstrated how to do a threading activity previously (in this posts' activity), there was very little instruction needed.

This activity is on the shelf and can be easily accessed whenever there is interest insha'Allah. So far the interest has been wonderful alhamdulillah. There are about 30 shapes in that box and each shape was threaded onto the string (more than once) with focus, joy, determination, concentration, and I even heard self-instruction! Subhana'Allah! (I heard that word several times by the way....from the child doing the activity!.....lol)

After the child has mastered the above threading activity, he/she can move on to more difficult threading cards such as this one:

You can find tutorials for these all over the Internet as they are easy to make and very popular with toddlers and pre-schoolers. It is amazing to watch them focus so intently on these subhana'Allah. As young as two years old (and younger), they are able to focus and thread with amazing accuracy subhana'Allah!

وَيُعَلِّمُكُمُ اللَّهُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ

{282, سورة البقرة }

and Allah teaches you. And Allah is the All-Knower of each and everything.

{Surah Al-Baqarah, ayah 282}

Next we had a shapes hunt and match. You can find this activity and its directions here insha'Allah.

Then we made shape bracelets and for the boys, shape ship key chains:

Next we made shape bookmarks (There are three different bookmarks in the file):

These can be used in two ways insha'Allah: 1). As an assessment tool. Give each child a book mark and provide the child with construction paper shapes that can be matched to the shapes on the bookmark. Invite the child to match and glue them to the corresponding shape on the bookmark. The finished product will give you an idea of what shapes need to be retaught insha'Allah. 2). You can invite the child to colour the shapes.

And I also put out PomPom balls (and a sorting tray) to be sorted according to colour insha'Allah (because they are round/circular).

Mystery Bag Montessori Activity -- powered by eHow.com

Then, we made our own version of the book so when it is returned to the library insha'Allah,we can still enjoy our shapes.

Front Cover

Below are samples of the inside pages and here you can see how the book  (Eric Carle's book) is unique. The pages are cut in half and the shape on the top part of the page does not match the shape on the bottom half of the page. Children have to flip through the bottom half of the book to find the shape that matches the one on the top part of the page. Because the book is wordless (Eric Carle's book) it encourages discussion among parent/teacher and child. Children can see the contrast in the shapes as they page through looking for the matching shape. I think the concept is quite nice and the book can even be used with younger infants if the parent just uses three or four pages/shapes and discusses them (i.e. "This is a square but this one (point to the shape on the bottom of the page) is not a square. This one is a hexagon. Let's try to find a square to match our square here on the top insha'Allah").

Here, the shapes are matched. The top page is the last page in the book and the bottom page is not.

I also took out the shapes puzzle from this post and the shapes memory cards from this post and we had a nice game of memory alhamdulillah.

To end our mini-unit about shapes, I think we should bake sugar cookies in different shapes insha'Allah. Using cookie cutters is great fine motor skill work and fits right in with Practical Life Skills alhamdulillah. Plus, the results are tasty alhamdulillah! Hmm..yes, definitely need to bake sugar cookies insha'Allah. Oh wait! Maybe we can just make play cookies out of cardboard and decorate them - great for pretend play insha'Allah! Decisions, decisions.....

Photo Credit: Creative Commons Copyright: Patent and the Pantry

If your local library has this book, I recommend that you check it out but if you think a penny is just a great price for a book then you can get it on Amazon.com insha'Allah. Either route you take, I think your child(ren) will enjoy this book insha'Allah.

Enjoy insha'Allah! I hope you will link up and join us insha'Allah!

*When linking up, please link directly to your Together We Read post (and not your blog's general page) to allow everyone to easily and quickly find your post...Jazakum Allahu Khayran!