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Umm Sulaimaan's Curricula

Overview and Advice
Many have asked, "How do I get started home schooling?" The following is a blueprint for the new home schooler. But remember. You and your family are unique. Your child is unique. So take what feels right and ignore what doesn't.  Each one of my 6 children are home schooled in a very different way.  Each approach is used because it works for them.  Therefore it works for me!!  Especially if you want to choose your fights!!

Although the public school day is 6 hours long, studies indicate that most of that time is taken up with housekeeping tasks: going from one class to another, taking roll, getting ready to teach, etc. Only about 1.5 hours is actual education. Most homeschoolers use 3 hours per day as a good amount of schooling time. Some are very strict and those 3 hours are spent right on task. Others (like me) assign work that will take about 3 hours and let the kids get it done however they want. Since I am a big Charlotte Mason fan - we try never to do seat type work after  lunch time.  If you are serious and want a strong Islamic program you can tailor Qur'an and Islamic studies around what you do in your normal day. 

Don't be in a hurry to choose a curriculum. Your library is a vast resource which can supply everything you need (except paper and pencil) free of charge. Take your time and don't feel you need to jump in and buy textbooks. If all you do for the first couple of months is read with your children and practice their number facts, they'll still be learning far more than in an institutional setting. I've found that some very expensive home school syllabi which looked great to me just didn't go over well with the kids. So it pays to try things out first before investing in expensive texts. 

And remember that the goal of Islamic home schooling is a child who is educated in Deen, has Taqwah (fear of Allah) can  independently  learn. If something becomes a struggle or makes the child hate education -- try another approach!  I always say there is more than one way to skin a cat!!

Geography

I have an atlas and we look and study the lives of the people and search the internet constantly.   For those who say I just need a workbook then buy the Spectrum Series or Hands on Geography:
  • The Muslim Community (1st grade)
  • The continents and Muslim People (2nd grade) 
  • The States,  wars, Native Americans and African Americans (4th grade) 
  • Countries of Europe and Asia (5th grade) 
  • Countries of the World (6th grade) 


Then we go to the library and each child chooses a country that they want to study and we check out the Enchantment of the World book on that particular country. Older kids can write a report on some aspect of their chosen country.

Resources: 


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World History

My children and students read out of Joy Hakim's History Series (we love them - I read them out loud and we discuss).  I have the kids read a few pages from their own chapter book or Joy Hakim's Series and narrate to me what they read.  I always remember not to help them out, I mean not to coach them.  I want to see what they understand and I keep a journal of what I think their understanding is.   Older kids can do reports on selected topics of interest to them.

There are a number of approaches to teaching history. 

  • A standard approach -have the child read a textbook and do various activities (writing, research, questions etc.) as per text book describes.
  • My favorite - My children read biographies, historical literature from various view points.  One that I am reading out loud and  one they read on their own You can check books out of the library for your child to read and put together your own history courses for free.


The Hirsch material is  interesting but, Islamically I found some incorrect beliefs in them and chose to stay away from them.  But if you are willing to wade through them, they can keep you moving.

Resources:

    • English Resources
    • Illustrated History of the World: 40,000 B.C. to Present Day
    • The Kingfisher Book of the Ancient World: discussing the migrations of people, the effects of climate changes, the religious practices of the Babylonians, or the politics of Persia, The Kingfisher Book of the Ancient World makes history come alive with a dynamic narrative and hundreds of illustrations and photographs. The result is a global journey to the roots of all civilization, and the greater understanding that it will provide.


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American History

Well I must say, have you ever noticed that they teach this almost every year in elementary school?  Just how many years do you think is needed?  1 good one slightly more?  Around 5th grade at my house we study the American Indian tribes and then go into slavery and chronologically move from there.  Knowing that this must be dealt with in detail during the 9th and 10th grades I don't' worry as much about it.  This allows me to deal with Islamic Studies more intensely and "OUR" history!!

I introduce this almost exclusively via "historical fiction"  ---- I pick a chapter book from the library and read something like a chapter a day to ALL  of my children.  This becomes "our" time.  The older children are during this month reading from other historical fiction on their own from other points of views.  (I.E.: I read from slave girls perspective, Hadiyyah reads from  a white slave owner's daughter, Amaani reads from a free black girls,  Asiya reads an easy reader about the Underground Railroad,  I read out loud story books about the era to the children such as :Freedom's Fruit,  Bella Dourcas etc.) We combing all our writing exercises.
 

  • Resources:

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    Science

    For elementary and middle school we keep our Science simple.  by studying Allah's SWT creation and keeping a Nature notebook.  The children are able to cover and understand much.  this does mean  that you need to get them out and make sure they are experiencing Allah not just believing in him.
     


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    Arabic. Qur'an and Deen

    Well Mashallah I must say,  this was probably my most difficult task in that Arabic was not my first language and Islam was not the religion of my birth.  But I did make a decision to be diligent about it and work hard and find proper resources to do this with.  My idea was that if my children understood Arabic then they would not have to memorize surahs in English (less work for me too).  They would understand what Allah swt wanted from them instead of me ramming it down their throats.

    When you are correcting your child's writing, just point out that Arabic must be written tiny.  What you are looking for is fluidity.  Be careful this is not a big deal in English but in Arabic No "Big Mamas"   Then give them a few examples to reinforce the lesson.

    If you teach your kids to read, making sure they are pronouncing every letter and every vowel this will go along way. 

    Here's what we do for language. 

    • Kindergarten - Letters, vowels, and then the long vowels {wow after dumma, yaa after kesraa, alif after fatha}
    • 1st grade sentences and lots of vocabulary.  Sisters use Qur'an or Dictionary.
    • 2nd grade - Verbs, past and present.   Don't tell me you don't know because you can learn right along with them. 
    • After that we read a lot of Qur'an, Arabic stories, watch Arabic Videos, etc.  I want them to hear hear hear the language!!  I do not lecture. The kids read their lessons. (Out loud when their reading is shaky and to themselves once their reading improves.) 
    • The kids read their surah that they are memorizing everyday.. 
    • They read a selection from Hadith or a story. 
    • Their written summaries and reports are corrected for content, spelling, structure and grammar and rewritten until perfect.   Lots of "Imlaa'"
    • Misspelled words become spelling words.  But I never just test them on spelling words I test them on their ability to use them in a sentence or to understand Qur'an.
    Resources:
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    English

    There are some (and I am one of them) who believe that grammar cannot be taught except in the context of actual writing. You can teach how to write an essay or fiction. I've got author friends who have the technique down to a science of step one, step two, step three.

    When you are correcting your child's writing, just point out the error and make them figure out what is wrong. Take the opportunity to explain the rules for that situation. Then give them a few examples to reinforce the lesson.

    If you teach your kids to read with phonics and teach them the rules of spelling along with that (the long 'a' sound in the middle of a word is often spelled 'ai' whereas at the end of a word it is almost always "ay") they'll be much better spellers than my kids who got whole language in the public schools.

    Here's what we do for language. 

    • I start my children off with "Teach  your child to read in 100EZ lessons."  We read lots and lots. If you  want you can use the online worksheets to go with this.
    • I do not lecture. The kids read their lessons. (Out loud when their reading is shaky and to themselves once their reading improves.) 
    • The kids read 2 chapters per day from a book of their choice. 
    • They read a selection from Qur'an and summarize it in both languages. 
    • Their written summaries and reports are corrected for content, spelling, structure and grammar and rewritten until perfect. 
    Resources:


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    Math

    The children need to understand how an d why and enjoy math in real life, while attaining basic math skills.  that is the bottom line!  I use to buy expensive books to do so by now.....I save my energy and pull those drill sheets directly off the computer and save my time for Islamic studies with my children.  So Make sure between K-4th Grade the children learn the basic math facts.

    Math can be difficult and frustrating or it can be simple, easy and fun. I urge you to choose the simple, easy and fun course and teach your children arithmetic basics, techniques and good, solid, traditional math. Recognize that your child's reasoning ability does not mature until about age 10-12 but that their memorization abilities are great at younger ages.

    I'm going to recommend Saxon math for K-3 if you are a very structured person and want a step by step talk me through program. However, if you are a veteran home schooler go for MCP or Key curriculum Math books.    Now if you feel confident like me - just go online to Basic Facts and get what you need.  For drills I use worksheets I pull directly online!  But if your child grasps the concepts quickly and demonstrates a solid understanding of a type of problem, don't bore him/her to death by over practice. This is your child and you are in the best position to determine his or her needs. You'll want to make sure they understand. 

    But you don't need to spend $50 on a math text if you have access to used books stores that have texts. Arithmetic through calculus hasn't changed much in the last 200 years so you don't need to buy an expensive text when you can get an older (and perhaps better one) for a few dollars. When you get up to algebra and beyond, take a look at the used college texts. They're often more concise and less distracting than those designed for high school. They key is to leaf through the book and check whether it makes sense to you. If it is too long-winded and complicated, don't buy it.  some people just like to spend money!!  La howlaa walaa kuwata wa illaa billah.

    Resources:

    • For my Kindergartners:  Family Math is a Must!! The theme is comparing, and the games, activities, and explorations integrate counting, sorting, classifying, logic, arithmetic, and other important mathematical skills.
    • Key to curriculum: This is the one i found very helpful to use for grades 4 and above.  Personally i sue these books as they are very "real."  they help the child see why we use math.  after this i test the children at the saxon site an move into the Saxon books.  Usually going right to the higher level math.
    • Math textbooks by Harold Jacobs This is the one I am going to use for my older girls this year.  But read about it at this site and go back to Spree and buy it if you buy it NEW!
    • Saxon Math Book
    • MCP is a choice when you like structured and want make sure you have covered

    • everything and just like drill .... This is not a hands on approach but it
      will make your school day go by fast. MCP Mathematics, Grades K-6
      If your children need more practice in basic math skills and strategies? Are
      you searching for an affordable math program that's easy to use?
    • Beat the Bomb PC shareware to practice number facts 
    • Math Rescue for fun and practice 
    • Math @ArabesQ
    • Math Standards by Grade Level 
    • Buy Math Books at ArabesQ


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    Correspondence Schools

    Curriculum Suppliers


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    Interesting Home School Sites


    "We would like to thank  Redwood Games Homeschooling Site for allowing us to use some of their work by permission at this ArabesQ site.  We have adapted and added information to be more relevant to the Islamic home schooler".



    Umm@arabesq.com


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