Tuesday, 31 March 2015
Ulul Azam Prophets
A pairing activity with 3D objects can be used to reinforce the Ulul Azam Prophets and the revelation of the Holy books. The Holy prophet was created with corresponding coloured felt and the rest of the prophets were laminated pictures, all attached to lolly sticks. The Holy books were also small laminated pictures, attached to a felt scroll.
Hadeeth e Kisa
The recitation of Hadeeth e Kisa is the most commonly heard amongst our gatherings. How wonderful would it be if children could picture this beautiful event? Using the story board and felt props, the event of the cloak can be illustrated with ease. The Ahlulbayt and Angel Jibrael were created with colour coded felt pieces on lolly sticks and the cloak was designed like a tepee, using felt triangles attached to wooden sticks.
Whilst carrying out the event, you could play the beautiful recitation of the 'Holy Household' by Voice of passion, to engage yet another sense!
Whilst carrying out the event, you could play the beautiful recitation of the 'Holy Household' by Voice of passion, to engage yet another sense!
Manners of leaving/ entering home
As a visual cue, the board used for this routine is a house made of felt. On one side, the manners of leaving home can be placed and on the other side, manners of entering.
Eid pairing cards
Another simple yet effective way to remember the different Eids celebrated in our calendar. For the older ones, the Islamic dates are also included.
Dahwul Arz
The story of the Earth/ Dahwul Arz can be beautifully illustrated using the story board and felt props. The entire story can come alive by introducing the props step by step to complete the full scene. Children will visualise Almighty Allah's (s.w.t) amazing creation of our beautiful Earth.
A huge THANK YOU to a wonderful person, Farah Ibrahim, who took all the fantastic photos for me :)
A huge THANK YOU to a wonderful person, Farah Ibrahim, who took all the fantastic photos for me :)
Sleeping/ waking up routine
A visual timeline or routine can also be used to reinforce the manners of sleeping and waking. This can be in a form of a board or even as a visual fan that can be under children's pillows as a quick reference.
Salaat timings pairing cards
Pairing cards are an important tool in the Montessori world. This concept is very simple to create but an effective way for children to make connections.
To teach children about salaat timings, I found some pictures that signify the different times of the day, mounted them on coloured card and added names of the salaat as well as the rakaats. A key feature of Montessori materials is that they are self correcting. In this case, the control of error is simply the colour coded cards. To make this more challenging, you could stick them all in the same coloured card.
Amul Feel story bag
Story bags are an exiting way to bring stories alive. These are fun and enjoyable as well as visually attractive and tactile. This idea fits in very well with the Montessori ethos as it requires children's active participation.
The contents of a Story bag is easy to assemble, many a times with items found in children's toy boxes. Adding a storyboard will help set the scene, which can easily be produced using a cork board and felt. I made a general board with a simple sky/ land scene, to which other felt pieces can be added to liven up the outlook.
A very simple yet pictorial story from the Quran is Amul Feel. To create this story bag, the Holy Kabaa was created using Lego bricks, models were used for the animals involved, pebbles and soldiers were added and the characters (Hazrat Abu Talib + Abraha) were laminated and stuck on lolly sticks. Using these props, children can act out the story over and over again. By actually 'doing' the action, children will learn better than just listening to the story.
The contents of a Story bag is easy to assemble, many a times with items found in children's toy boxes. Adding a storyboard will help set the scene, which can easily be produced using a cork board and felt. I made a general board with a simple sky/ land scene, to which other felt pieces can be added to liven up the outlook.
A very simple yet pictorial story from the Quran is Amul Feel. To create this story bag, the Holy Kabaa was created using Lego bricks, models were used for the animals involved, pebbles and soldiers were added and the characters (Hazrat Abu Talib + Abraha) were laminated and stuck on lolly sticks. Using these props, children can act out the story over and over again. By actually 'doing' the action, children will learn better than just listening to the story.
Monday, 30 March 2015
Visual timetables
Visual aids are an important tool when teaching children new concepts. When introducing actions, using visual routines or timetables helps to break down steps of a task or a routine. This is beneficial for children who are visual learners as they are 'seeing' things rather than listening. When looking at the pictures, opportunities are provided to children to take in the information at their own pace. A hallmark of the Montessori ethos is the hands on experience which is 'learning by doing.' Therefore, visual routines should be used as part of an interactive approach.
I created a routine to reinforce table manners. I gathered pictures of actions required which turned into laminated cards. A tablemat was used as the board to place the actions on, which also served as a 'visual cue' to reinforce this concept. The laminated cards as well as the mat were attached with Velcro, enabling the sticking of the routine. Furthermore, an additional board was used to reinforce the 'don'ts' of eating habits.
Aba Abdillah (a.s) - my inspiration to begin this journey
Salamun Alaikum dear readers,
For the past few years, I have been on a quest to device Islamic teaching materials using the Montessori ethos and concepts. The pursuit began in the Summer of 2013, when after talking to my colleague about wanting to do something 'meaningful' for the community, I started jotting down ideas for activities that could be produced. My book of ideas began to fill up but due to time restrictions, no 'action' was yet taken...
In December 2013, we were blessed to visit Aba Abdillah (a.s) and after this enlightening spiritual journey, I made a niyyat to InshaAllah take my vision forward before the next Muharram. This thought of mine stayed in my head all year but again, as I was juggling work, studies, family at the same time, the opportunity to take this step was not arising. However, in September 2014, I completed my studies and now, had time to spare! But the month of Muharram was approaching fast... I decided that during the half term, I would dedicate time to start producing some of the ideas from my book. With Aba Abdillah (a.s) as my inspiration and the wise words of Sheikh Khalil Jaffer on his amazing lectures of the origin and the return, my journey finally began...
Using my experience and knowledge on Montessori materials and ideas, I made a number of activities to teach various concepts about Islam. Alhamdulillah, they were turning out great and before the day of Ashura, I completed a few materials! I approached another Montessori teacher in our community to show her the materials, who thought they were fabulous. I was then in search for a platform where these materials could be 'test driven...'
When your intention is pure, it is amazing what falls on your way... I met the coordinator of the younger classes in our Madressa at a course and told her about my project. She was soooo delighted and explained that she was just after such materials! She requested for me to visit the Madressa to share the ideas with her team. Alhamdulillah, the response from them was very positive and encouraging. I was given ideas and requests on what they required according to their syllabus. Now, I had a real 'drive' to make things happen! Ideas and thoughts continued to 'pop up' in my head and from then on, I continued making a range of materials. By the start of the new academic year, various activities were produced. These materials were presented to the teachers, with guidelines on their usage and once again, the feedback was promising Alhamdulillah! These materials have given teachers ideas on making their lessons more interactive and visual for children. My 'test drive' on the children prove to be successful Alhamdulillah!
It has now become my venture to share these ideas with all those in search for ideas to teach Islam in a fun, interactive and meaningful way... So watch this space!
For the past few years, I have been on a quest to device Islamic teaching materials using the Montessori ethos and concepts. The pursuit began in the Summer of 2013, when after talking to my colleague about wanting to do something 'meaningful' for the community, I started jotting down ideas for activities that could be produced. My book of ideas began to fill up but due to time restrictions, no 'action' was yet taken...
In December 2013, we were blessed to visit Aba Abdillah (a.s) and after this enlightening spiritual journey, I made a niyyat to InshaAllah take my vision forward before the next Muharram. This thought of mine stayed in my head all year but again, as I was juggling work, studies, family at the same time, the opportunity to take this step was not arising. However, in September 2014, I completed my studies and now, had time to spare! But the month of Muharram was approaching fast... I decided that during the half term, I would dedicate time to start producing some of the ideas from my book. With Aba Abdillah (a.s) as my inspiration and the wise words of Sheikh Khalil Jaffer on his amazing lectures of the origin and the return, my journey finally began...
Using my experience and knowledge on Montessori materials and ideas, I made a number of activities to teach various concepts about Islam. Alhamdulillah, they were turning out great and before the day of Ashura, I completed a few materials! I approached another Montessori teacher in our community to show her the materials, who thought they were fabulous. I was then in search for a platform where these materials could be 'test driven...'
When your intention is pure, it is amazing what falls on your way... I met the coordinator of the younger classes in our Madressa at a course and told her about my project. She was soooo delighted and explained that she was just after such materials! She requested for me to visit the Madressa to share the ideas with her team. Alhamdulillah, the response from them was very positive and encouraging. I was given ideas and requests on what they required according to their syllabus. Now, I had a real 'drive' to make things happen! Ideas and thoughts continued to 'pop up' in my head and from then on, I continued making a range of materials. By the start of the new academic year, various activities were produced. These materials were presented to the teachers, with guidelines on their usage and once again, the feedback was promising Alhamdulillah! These materials have given teachers ideas on making their lessons more interactive and visual for children. My 'test drive' on the children prove to be successful Alhamdulillah!
It has now become my venture to share these ideas with all those in search for ideas to teach Islam in a fun, interactive and meaningful way... So watch this space!
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