Monday, October 24, 2011

Homeschool Year 2011-2012

Assalamualaikum,

Here is the link for my new blog Homeschool Year 2011-2012.

Insha Allah, it will give the benefits.

"Have a Happy Homeschooling."
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Sunday, August 14, 2011

Ramadan and Kids, Alhamdulillah.

Alhamdulillah, all my kids are fasting. My kids enjoy fasting during summer time when the day time is longer than the night. They also learn about the benefits of fasting for their body and their soul.

My youngest one, who is 7, is fasting the whole day now. On the first day she broke her fast at 5 pm. The next day she added up one hour. The sunset (Maghrib) time was around 8pm in our place. She likes the idea of adding up one hour per day.
Now she doesn't want to break her fast until the sunset.
And at night, she prays Isha, 8 raka'at of Taraweeh and the Witr in masjid. She thinks the prayers are not that long.
Alhamdulillah.



One kid, I know, always finishes (khattam) reading al Qur'an every 3 days during Ramadan. Most kids finish reading al Qur'an in 12 days or 1 month. We like to see our kids reading al Qur'an throughout their life. What a beautiful blessing to see our kids reading al Qur'an. Alhamdulillah.






I think all children like to learn, especially, how to fast. They like to say "I am fasting, today" or "Mom, I am hungry". Sometime, they accidentally eat something because they forget that they are fasting. The kids love the feeling about forgetting not to eat during the day, but they do not want to break their fasting.
The kids learn that fasting is good for their soul because it's a way to get close to Allah. They fear Allah who is always watching us every time.
Alhamdulillah.

When they are begging to eat, we should try to tell them that there are so many kids out there not having the food for several days, weeks, and so on.
They learn that they should always thank Allah (Alhamdulillah). Our kids are blessed every day with plenty of food. If the kids still want to break their fast, you should let them break their fast. If you offer them to break their fast, most of time they will refuse. They don't want to break their fast because all their family and friends are fasting, too.
Alhamdulillah.




At night, they want to go to masjid for ifthar (breaking the fast). They feel that eating together in masjid is fun. It is also a blessing from Allah. They feel that they belong to the big Muslim community. They see that others Muslim are fasting together and helping each other in the masjid to serve the community.
Alhamdulillah.



The kids also learn the benefits of the Taraweeh prayer in masjid or at home.
Imagine that, if there is no Taraweeh praying. We would be so lazy after eating. Our activities would be sitting and sleeping during the night. By praying the Taraweeh prayer, the kids learn that it is not good for our body if we are lazy. The prayer helps our body move so our blood also keeps flowing.
Alhamdulillah.



In the masjid, the kids also help adults by serving the food and cleaning up the masjid.











The conclusion is that in Ramadan, the kids learn the benefits of Ramadan. It is good for the body and the soul.

I think when Ramadan ends, I always hear the kids say:
  • "I miss Ramadan."
  • "I still think about fasting during the day."
  • "I miss eating together at masjid."
  • "I miss the Taraweeh prayer."
  • "I want Ramadan every day."
  • "I love Ramadan."
  • "I feel like party in masjid everyday when it's in Ramadan."


I hope that the spirit of Ramadan is always with the kids until the next Ramadan, such as:
  • love reading Al Qur'an,
  • praying (salah),
  • helping others,
  • coming to masjid.

May Allah help and guide our kids to be good Muslims, Aameen ya Rabb al Aameen.

Praise is belong to Allah.
Wa al hamdulillahi Rabb al Aameen.
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Educational Resource - August 2011



"Happy Home-school"




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Saturday, July 30, 2011

Happy Ramadan To You And Your Family




Ramadan Mubaraak to you.
May Allah accept all our ibadaah. Aameen.
Taqabbal Allaahu Minna Wa Minkum.
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Monday, July 11, 2011

Educational Resources - July 2011 (Special for Ramadan)




O you who believe! Observing As-Sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)”
[al-Baqarah 2:183]


As the beautiful month of Ramadan approaches this year, let's prepare our minds and hearts to it.





Let's learn and listen about Ramadan:



Let's read, memorize, and learn Al Qur'an:




Ramadan Mubaraak to all of You.
May Allah accept all our ibadaah. Aameen.
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Homeschool Free





Some of new homeschool families were asking me about how to homeschool for free or at least almost free.

There are so many ways to find free textbooks, DVD's, Cd's, audio, software, and magazines to add as supplements to lessons for your homeschool.

Some of them are:

  • Ask your homeschool's friends who has some of curriculum that they do not use it anymore. You can ask them for free or pay a few bucks to have it.

  • Find in your community who organizes free used books, such as Book Bank





  • Ask your near library, if they are giving free used textbooks.
    I usually find it in Michigan library where they put some free used text books and others kind of books in the special box.


  • Google "Homeschool Free" or "Free Homeschool Curriculum".

    Some of examples:



  • Join a homeschool support group and be a volunteer at your local homeschool convention.
    Some of home school families that have gone through each grade level will donate or sell for very cheap their completed curriculum courses to the group to be used for new homeschoolers.



Useful links:
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Monday, June 6, 2011

Summer Activities


Alhamdulillah, summer is here...

There are so many things that we can do in this summer.
Some teenagers kids are doing summer camp, summer job, summer internship, summer class, and summer vacation.
As Muslim, we should not forget about increasing our Iman during this summer.
Let's our kids learn more about Islam, reading the Islamic stories, memorizing more Al Qur'an, and reading hadiths.
Insha Allah, our summer will be useful time for our kids to learn their religion.


Here are some activities for the summer:

- Read Al Quran.
- Memorize at least 5-10 ayahs Al Qur'an per a day/week.
- Read Islamic books.
- Learn to make hijab for yourself.
- Go to masjid for obligatory prayer.
- Visit sick people.
- Helping the senior people around you.
- Gather up a few friends, and have a picnic in your back.
- Go on a walk and take pictures of trees, flowers, animals, etc.
- Pick out a couple of really cute outfits and try to recreate them for less!
- Make some things and sell them for charity.
- Volunteer at homeless shelter.
- Clean your room!
- Do exercise.
- Look through old family scrapbooks, photo books, and yearbooks.
- Make fresh, homemade fruit juice.
- Make dinner for your family.
- Plant flowers in your yard.
- Sign up for a class.
- Buy some crayons and a coloring book.
- Get a job or an internship.
- Start a diary and write in it everyday.
- Spend the day at the library.
- Make a collage out of old magazines.
- Go to a museum.
- Go out for lunch with one of your parents.
- Jump in the pool with your clothes on.
- Learn to sew or knit.
- Invite friends over and have a tea party and a pizza.
- Swing on the swings at the park.
- Tie-Dye a t-shirt or bed sheets with Kool-Aid!
- Make a smoothie.
- Learn how to define and spell 5 new words from the dictionary.
- Make popsicles in your freezer.
- Go camping in your backyard!


Enjoy your summer.......
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Saturday, June 4, 2011

Educational Resources - June 2011


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Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Educational Resources - May 2011




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Sunday, April 24, 2011

Youth Retreat - April 2011




It was Youth Retreat on April 25-26, 2011.
We went just to visit them on the first day of Youth Retreat.
Alhamdulillah, they were lot of kids joining in this Youth Retreat.

Here are some of pictures that I took on the first day of youth retreat.


































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Thursday, April 7, 2011

Educational Resources - Science (April 2011)


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Educational Resources - Language Arts (April 2011)




Language Arts





Writing:




Related Useful Links:


Other Links:
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Educational Resources - Math (April 2011)


Math



Other Useful Resource:
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Monday, April 4, 2011

When Was The Last Time You Kissed Your Children?



Here is the article from Good Parents, Bad Results that explained about 8 ways science shows that mom and dad go wrong when discipline their kids.

  • 1. Parents fail at setting limits
  • 2. They're overprotective
  • 3. They nag. Lecture. Repeat. Then yell
  • 4. They praise too much—And badly
  • 5. They punish too harshly
  • 6. They tell their child how to feel
  • 7. They put grades and SATs ahead of creativity
  • 8. They forget to have fun.


We, as Muslim parents, should have more patience and love toward our children when it's time to discipline them. It's our responsibility to teach about our religion and good adab to our children.

Abu Hurayra said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, kissed Hasan ibn 'Ali while al-Aqra' ibn Habis at-Tamimi was sitting with him. Al-Aqra' observed, I have ten children and I have never kissed any of them. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, looked at him and said, 'Whoever does not show mercy will not be shown mercy.'" (Sahih Bukhari)

Let's give a big hug and kiss to all our children now...

May Allah bless all of you and your family. Ameen.

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Q&A: Textbooks


Question:

Insha'Allah I'm preparing for homeschooling this upcoming school year 2011/2012. I have a soon to be 6th grader and 4th grader (insha'Allah).

I'm taking suggestions for books on core subjects:

- Language Arts (Spelling / Vocabulary, Grammer, Writing)

- Math

- Science

- History

(I'm thinking I can use library books and follow the state curriculum using general books).


If I missing anything from the core subject, please advise. If you think I can also use general books for Science too, please advise.




Answer:

My advise is that you can always use textbooks that are available in your house.

You can also find from other resources: such as free online resources, library, and other used textbooks.

I usually find used textbooks in book bank near my house. There are free used textbooks and other reading books. Alhamdulillah.

My youngest daughter found very old textbooks that published in 1987 for her Math. She likes the book very much. She said it is easy and help her understand more. I am happy that she can do it by herself to finish all her homeworks. If she need more help then I can find from other resources, such as free online resources which are always available for us.


Yes, you can use other general books for Science, such as online resources, science magazines, library books, etc.


Here are some of the textbooks that you can find hardcopy or some online resources.




    You can search from this link just to find the text books in each state that you need for your children. You maybe also need book about "Everything You Need to Know to Teach" for each grade that you can find in public library. This book is helping you to know what to teach for each grade.

    You should be careful to check all the learning materials that are not teaching Islamic way such as about evolution in science and some of history. We, as parent, always supervise and help the kids to understand clearly about those matters.


    Insha Allah, as the time passed, our children will learn more and go forward to the next level according to the kid's ability.

    Please do not forget that we want our kids love toward learning.

    May Allah always help us and make it easy in this homeschooling. Ameen.


    Have a Happy Homeschooling ....
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    Educational Resources - April 2011





    Earth Day 2011: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle



    Islamic Study



    Arabic




    Math




    Science




    Social Study




    Geography




    Language Arts
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    Friday, March 25, 2011

    Educational Resources - End of March 2011




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    Tuesday, March 15, 2011

    Question and Answer: What and How My Homeschooling Works


    • Question: Would you like to share how you work with the scope and sequence (and textbook) to make your home-school more efficient?
    • Answer: To make your home-school more efficient, it means that you need to know:
      - what is your plan that you want to teach?
      - what do your kids want to be in the future?
      - what do your kids love to learn the most?
      - and what is the best method of teaching for your kids?
      We should also remember that we do not want our kids to be fed up with a lot of learning materials that our kids does not need. The most important is that our kids love toward learning in their daily life everyday.


    • Question: I know you accelerate, so I assume you don't do *ALL*, right?
    • Answer: We do focus on what the kids need to learn and like the most everyday. They also need to learn other subjects once or twice a week not everyday. This is a way to make them easy and love to learn everyday not getting bored. We also have a break in between school year, having field trips, having a class outside, etc.



    • Question: You pick and choose, and then move on if your child is understanding, right?
    • Answer: We let the kids decide which textbook that the kids think easy and understand to learn for them. Sometime, they learn without we are asking them to learn it. The most important is to keep communicating with them what they like to learn and we give support with all the learning materials and the activities they need.
      Yes of course, if they understand then they will continue to the next level.



    • Question: Which subject do you use as an anchor as to what level your children is? Is it math and language?
    • Answer: We need to teach all the subjects (Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Study, and Electives). The children need to learn all that subjects which will be presented to Board of Education in the portfolio meeting.



    • Question: How do you know your children have reached a level where they'll be okay to attend a CC? I assume at a level equivalent to 9th-10th grade?
    • Answer: To know the kids are ready for college, you should see their academic skill and their maturity.
      We do not want to see our kids immature in the class to handle their own problem in the class, with the home-works load, the classmate with different ages, the materials that being taught for adult, etc.
      For academic skill, I always wait until when they are in the same level of 11 or 12 grade.



    • Question: And does it guarantee a transfer to a 4 year univ?
    • Answer: If your kids are taking classes in Community College, then your kids and you should have to plan a head before applying the community college and which 4-years university that your kids will transfer to. The best way is always asking to the admission office to know what the requirements are. By doing so, It will help you and your kids to choose and decide which all the courses are transferable to that university where your kids will attend.





    I hope my answers will help you.

    You also have to remember that each family has different way of homeschooling their children. My home-school may not working for your family and others.
    Your home-school may not working for me and others, too.
    Because every family is unique.

    Have a Happy Homeschooling....




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    Saturday, March 12, 2011

    Question and Answer : Starting Homeschool


    As you know that making decision to do homeschooling for your children, it is not easy.

    This is what I did the first time I started homeschooling for my kids.

    • First: saying Bismillah.
    • Second: knowing the homeschooling law in your state.
    • Third: going to your local school district if you needed,
    • Fourth: finding the material for teaching our kids at home (online, library, or used text books)
    • Fifth: Making plan and schedule.
    • Sixth: patience and doa every day and night.


    Insha Allah, it will help you to make decision.


    Here are some questions and answers:


    Q: I have a few questions regarding the homeschooling process. Do I have to tell the school authorities that my children will not be attending school, or submit some kind of form for the same?

    A: If your children are already in public school, I suggest you to write letter to Board of Education (BOE) that saying you are withdrawing your children from the school or you can call the BOE and tell them that you are going to home-school your children.

    It's good if you are doing this when it starts the new semester of school year.

    The BOE will ask you to fill the form of Notice of Intent (NOI) to do home-school for your children. In that form you will have to write:

    - What subjects are you going to teach? It must be including these 5 subjects: Math, Language Arts, Social Study, Science, and Electives (Islamic Study, Citizenship, Arts, etc)

    - How many days of school year for you children? at least 180 days in a year.

    - Who is the teacher? of course parent ( if you will be the teacher for your children)

    - signature

    After you submit this NOI, they will send you an approval letter that you can start home-school your kids.

    At the end of school year (around June-August), they will send you a letter about when you are going to have the portfolio meeting with BOE.





    Q: Do homeschooling groups meet for some kind of group activities?

    A: We used to have groups meet for science activities in Elly Whitney Museum, but now our children are grown up. They are busy with other things.

    You can start making a new group to do activities together with other home-school family, if you want to. The Muslim family who are doing home-school and live in Connecticut area are: Waterbury(1 family) , Bridgeport (1 family) , Stamford (1 family) , West Haven (1 family), Windsor (1 family), New London(1 family), and Hamden (2 families). I hope i don't miss anyone.
    Because of the situation that we live far away from each other, it's not easy to do activities together.
    Insha Allah, there will be family event for homeschooling day in the future.




    Q: My children have been in the public school system, and enjoy working with other children. I was hoping you could suggest some ways I could provide this interaction for them?

    A: My children were the same thing. They went to public school, too.
    Some of activities that I did to have socialize with other children: such as

    • bring them to masjid for Sunday school
    • teach other kids about Islam and the same time you teach your own kids while they are having friends.
    • go to field trip
    • join classes for homeschooling kids such as: science class, Physical Education, etc.
    • join the contests such as, Geo Bee, American Math Contest, Islamic Study contest, science activities, etc.


    If you want to know more, you can join other homeschooling group that close to your area to know more activities for homeschooling family.
    Here the link: Local Homeschool Support Groups Map





    Q: And finally, how do I assemble a year end portfolio? What are the components?

    A: The portfolio, you can find more information about it in my blog: Home school portfolio


    Have a Happy Homeschooling....
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    Wednesday, March 9, 2011

    "Where Is My Cookie?"


    One day, one of Idris's classmates was wondering about why Idris had to go out from the class everytime at 6 o'clock.

    "Idris, why did you always go out at 6 o'clock?" asked his friend.
    "I went out to get my cookies," Idris answered with smile.

    The next day, at six o'clock, Idris came out from his class.
    When Idris was back in the class, some of his friends were begging him for cookies.

    "Idris, where are the cookies?," asked one of his friends.
    "Oh, I ate all the cookies," said Idris raising his both hand up.
    His friends were sad because no more cookies for them.

    When the class was over, one of his friend said something to all his friends.

    "I knew why Idris had to go out at 6 o'clock. He had to pray," his friends explained to other friends.
    "Yeah, you're right, I ate my cookies and did my pray, too" said Idris happily.



    This is just one simple story in my children daily life that means a lot for me, as a parent. Alhamdulillah, He always remember his obligatory to Allah.


    May Allah always bless him and all our children. Ameen.
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    Tuesday, March 8, 2011

    Home Educational Resources - March 2011






    Have a Happy Homeschooling....
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    Thursday, February 3, 2011

    Homeschool Educational Resources - February 2011

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    Monday, January 3, 2011

    Home Educational Resources - January 2011






    "Happy Homeschooling"
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    Belief In The Day of Judgement


    On Saturday night, we went to Darrs (lecture) and Dinner at masjid. Alhamdulillah after salah Isha, Sheikh read some ayah in Al Qur'an. It was very beautiful.

    Darrs (lecture) was started after the recitation Al Qur'an. The darrs was about believe in Akhirah, Day of Judgement.

    The important of believing Day of Judgement, it will remind us about how short our life is in this dunya (world life).
    Our average age is 65 years old.
    Some of people are starting their career when they are after 65.
    We should always think about dunya and akhirah in the same time.

    Sheikh also reminded us, as parents, to teach our kids about the basic Islam.
    Some of the important things that we should teach our kids are:
    • to learn about Islam and Iman,
    • to pray Jumuah especially for boy youth,
    • to pray obligatory especially salah Isha,
    • to waking them up to pray Fajr in time,
    • not to miss their Zuhur and Ashr pray in school time,
    • to fast Ramadan,
    • to remember Allah all the time so they will have fear of Allah in their hearth.
    • to read and memorize Al Qur'an.
    • to learn more about hadiths.
    • to do nafl salah and Qiyamul Layl.


    All the above mentioned, it is important for our kids to live in their life when they are not around with us anymore.
    The kids will have their hearth fear of Allah who will control their desire about dunya. Insha Allah.

    We should also teach our kids to pray with sincerity and devotion. Praying in time is very important. They will learn about managing their time, too.


    Here is some of his Qur'an Recitation for deaf by Sheikh Hasan Abunar


    May Allah always guide and protect us. Ameen.
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