Ramadan 2010- Countdown to the beginning!

Yes, its on its way again.  The celebrated ninth month of the lunar calendar, the month of Ramadan.

The month of sacrifice and blessings for those who practice Islam.

Last year, my household did a good job of educating and enjoying our month.  We're excited to do the same this year.

Plans for this year are coming together.  Lots of continuation from last year since we didn't complete it all. However, this year my daughter is no longer napping so we should get more done.

I'll be relying on help from friends far and wide including Sis. Lakisa  and this blog also

Right now we are reviewing, via blog, a lot of the things we did last year and smiling...

Ramadan Activities and Lessons For Children Part 3

I'mmo need you to forget that Ramadan was in September LOL.

I was invited to present four short 25 minute presentations to 2nd graders on Ramadan at our local Children's Museum.

Here's what I prepared:

Ramadan Presentation
Objective: Student will be able to name some activities that are forbidden during the fasting hours of Ramadan. 
Content areas: Religion or Civics, Art
Supplies: Coloring Sheet (left)
White and/or light blue construction paper
Black and/or navy blue construction paper
Crayons, markers or coloring pencils
Glue
Scissors
(optional: glitter, moon, sun, star stickers)

Lesson: (5 mins)
1. Define Ramadan-  be sure to explain the difference between "Holy Days" and a holiday.
2. Explain what is forbidden during daylight hours (age appropriately)- be sure to include arguing/quarreling among forbidden activities
3. Explain what is done after sundown (modest meal, more reading, prayer)
4. Discuss coloring sheet.  Each square shows a common activity during Ramadan for Muslims.  What time of day would each one take place. (drinking-night; reading-day and night; play with toys as distraction for children who may be hungry-day; eating soup-night; prayer-day and night)
Craft Instructions: (15 mins)
1. Choose one full sheet of paper in either white or light blue to represent day.
2. Cut either a black or navy blue paper in half (5.5 x 8.5) and glue it to half of the first sheet to create a dark and light side representing day and night.
3. Color the sky (top) of each paper with a day scene (sun, clouds) and night scene (moon, stars).
4. Color each item on the coloring sheet above and cut out.
5. Glue each item to the proper side of paper (day or night).  Some creative students will paste some items on the line between since they can be done either day or night.
Clean up: (5 mins.)
Evaluation: Students understand if they place the items in the proper place (day or night).  Reinforcement can be made by allowing them to study the craft and quiz them at a later time.

A reminder is a mercy...

At the beginning of Ramadan I was feeling a good dose of guilt and gratitude.

I was thankful for the time that is required of those who believe in Allah to refocus on myself and my faith. Ramadan is one of the best periods of my year.

The guilt comes from realizing how far out of focus I had become. I found this great post on another site about how to remain focused throughout the year.

Just reading it made me know that I am no alone in my struggle to become one with Allah and I also was reminded of something I teach my daughter. I tell her that we are "striving Muslims". In the truest definition, Muslim means "one who submits his way to the will of Allah." Knowing this, I can only say that I am striving.

I am thankful for even the desire to.

Ramadan activities and lessons for children Pt. 2

Better late than never I say! We did not finish all of our Ramadan activities on time, BUT the lessons were still important so we "got 'er done"!

Here I listed all that I planned for the month.  This is #3:

Homemade Prayer Rug

Content Areas Covered: language arts (vocabulary), religion, arts and crafts
Supplies:
Paper and pencil for sketching
Solid color pillow case (spare one of course)
Felt or other thick solid fabric
Scissors
Straight pins
Glue or sewing materials

Directions:
 First we began with discussion of prayer.  I referred back to our pillar lessons for reinforcement. Then  I told her we were making a prayer rug. If your child is not familiar with a prayer rug, explain the use in tradition of using one.

Next, sketch the design for your prayer rug.  We decided that we'd make one each year for a daily time of prayer.  We started with Fajr. To coincide with the time of prayer, we chose to make a dawning sun and put the word on to reinforce spelling.

After sketching we looked through scrap material and found all we needed.  I used straight pins to hold in place which allows you to move things around when needed.

Then I decided to sew it all down on the sewing machine.  This took longer than the cutting but I felt it was worth it.  The thread will show on the reverse side, but that was not a big deal for me.  I wanted the finished product to be soft and usable so I refrained from gluing which often turns hard.

That is all!

Notes: My 5 year old was in on the discussion but this project was too advanced for her to really participate.  It was something completed by my husband and I.   I would recommend this for 4th grade and above so they can design and cut themselves.

OK, I'm due to do some posting

So this is what I do.  The posts that I do on this blog take a lot of time. I usually have pics and a lot of information. But time, I'm really short on.

I do a lot of Twittering (@SisterP) so I put that cute little box over on the left so you can see that I'm alive even when I don't post.

Right now there's some problem with the feed so I guess I need to post.

Ramadan:
Wow! I had the most amazing month.  Much learned, much accomplished, ready to move forward in the footsteps of Allah's messengers.  Eid celebration yet to be scheduled by my study group. (I know, I know....)

Work:
Need a recharge FOR REAL! Still working on that.  Got an award which I'll talk about.

Homeschool:
We are unschooling right now, but not on purpose LOL!

Housework:
Weeks behind due to some over commitment on my part.

Sewing:
Got a new serger. I have also completed some tasks and pants for babygirl.  Need to begin work on my fall clothes, luckily it's still hot here.

Other businesses:
Have great business idea but it hinges greatly on the work of someone I don't think I can rely on.  This may be an easy one to brush off of my plate.

Book series still in discussion stage.

Other projects:
My mom's 70th bornday celebration is coming fast and I have to come up with the presentation portion of the luncheon. Lots of research and calling about.

Ramadan activities and lessons for children Pt. 1

The Five Pillars of Islam

Content areas covered: language arts, handwriting, religion, arts and crafts, spelling, math, science

Vocabulary and handwriting: pillar (define and write/trace)

Spelling: pillar

Discussion: What is a pillar? (it can stand alone, can hold something up) What is a Muslim? (one who submits to the will of Allah) How do pillars "hold up Muslims"? Name some Muslims you know (self, parents, siblings, friends).

Craft: Make 5 pillars

Supplies: Construction paper, tape or glue, scissors, ruler, pen, four wood

en blocks

Directions: Line up 4 blocks on the construction paper. Measure them with ruler, this is the height of your pillars. Measure the width of the blocks and mark paper so that you can make three folds in the paper to create a square. Wrap the paper around each side of the line of four blocks and tape (or do 5 sides and glue together). Once taped, sit the pillar up and slide the paper off of the blocks. Do this to create 5 pillars.

We then cut a rectangle and wrote the word "Muslim" on it. We wrote the names of some Muslims and then sat it on top of the pillars. I asked her to put the paper on top and she had to use reasoning and logic skills to determine the best arrangement of the pillars. We did some experimentation to see if only one pillar could stand and hold the "Muslims". You can play around a lot with this by using various objects. We added weight/pressure to the paper by adding blocks and rulers to see if it could withstand. We talked a lot to make sure she understood how the pillars are essential to her life as a muslim.

Next we will spend time learning the principle of each pillar.

Ramadan activities and lessons for children

I wanted to do activities that were fun for Ramadan. I also wanted each activity to cover several content areas so that we could minimize "school time" since we have so much Qur'an reading to accomplish.

I am not creative but I am really picky LOL. I found this list and scrubbed it down to about 2 possible activities and the rest I had to search for or make up. What I found online was pretty redundant and I will be really working to expand these each year. I usually get my best ideas as we are working so I'll write them down and see if I can turn them into complete lessons.

Here is what we are working on and will post pics and lesson plan (including content areas) of each activity.

Lesson #1 - The Five Pillars of Islam - create pillars made of construction paper
Lesson #2 - Fasting and Shahada - coloring activities
Lesson #3 - Prayer - homemade prayer rug
Lesson #4 - Prayer continued
Lesson #5 - Hajj - Kabah craft
Lesson #6 - Charity - jar decoration
Lesson #7 - Charity - clothing donation

How's it going?

Ramadan.

Every year I ask myself the same question, "Why am I so delinquent the rest of the year?"

I love this month and the fasting is not stressful. The prayer gives me such peace. The reading keeps my mind occupied. I can't say enough good things about it. Why do I lose my motivation to strive for perfection a few days later?

Gotta run....I'm going to do some soul searching.

Wishing you and yours a blessed month! Peace...

Ramadan Prep 2009 - What's for dinner?

During Ramadan we usually go straight ovo- lacto-vegetarian and exclude meat and fish from our diet and make a weak attempt to refrain for the rest of the year.

I'm working on my list for dinners which I'll continue adding to as I double check them against How To Eat To Live Books 1 and 2

I'll post pics and recipes as I make these dishes. Some haven't been made since last Ramadan (so sad).

One:
Navy Bean Soup - Garnished with cheese and chives
Sides: Tomato and Onion slices and farina bread

Two:
Curried zucchini made with coconut milk served with jasmine rice
Sides: Salad and cup of soup

Three:
Eggplant Parmesan Casserole
Side: Salad and cup of bean soup

Four:
Spinach Quiche
Side: Salad cup of bean soup

Five:
Vegetable Fried Rice
Vegetable Egg Rolls

Six
Vegetarian Enchalada
Black Beans and Rice

Seven
Veggie Sandwhiches
Guacamole and Chips

Help me! What do you have on tap?
(No pasta suggestions please)

Ramadan Prep 2009 - BabyGirls meals (Children's meals)

Since my daughter is 4 (and will turn 5) during this Ramadan, fasting is not required.  In How To Eat To Live Book 2 the Hon. Elijah Muhammad says that children should not fast and should eat 2 - 3 meals per day and not one meal as is prescribed for adults.

However, I'd like her to get some of the experience of fasting as she learns about Ramadan. My husband and I have decided that she will eat only breakfast and lunch without any snack. (She will only be missing her fruit snack that comes between breakfast and lunch.)

Considering dinner, we thought that she would be challenged to refrain from eating after her nap until we break fast. She normally wakes around 3 and we eat before 5.  Now dinner will be after 8pm EST.  We have decided that she will eat at 6:30 p.m. and have her dessert while we eat our meal.

To make it less tempting for me I'll make a standard meal for her:

Weekday Breakfast: Milk, fruit or yogurt, boiled eggs and bread (either farina muffin, wheat rolls or wheat toast)

Weekend Breakfast: Raisin bran or Honey Shredded Wheat cold cereal

Lunch - Bean soup w/cheese or salmon salad (like tuna salad) either with wheat crackers or wheat bun.

I chose these items because they won't dirty lots of pots (as does her regular oatmeal and scrambled eggs) and won't create a lot of aroma, which can be tempting to the fasters.  Also the breads can be baked and stored.  Bean soup prepared and frozen.  Pouches of skinless boneless salmon, mayo, relish, and mustard can be purchased in advance and we always have DOZENS of eggs in our home.

Again, my goal is EASE this Ramadan in the food department.  I have MUCH more to focus on than the mundane (but necessary) tasks of eating and cleaning!

What will you do for your young ones meals?

Ramadan Prep 2009 - Get my mind right!

Each year, since acknowledging my desire to become one with Allah I have faced a different challenge come Ramadan.

This year is no exception.

However, this year I am so determined to make this month easier on myself with proper planning.

Knowing that the day light hours are going to be long and knowing how hectic my schedule is that time of year I have to prepare mentally for several things:

1. What we'll eat and what time to prep each day.
2. Getting my daughter ready. This will be the first one she can remember so I want to include her in prayer and reading of the Quran.
3. I need some Ramadan crafts and activities for her.
4. Ramadan cards, which I have NEVER sent out!
5. Family Eid photo.
6. Scheduling reading times.
7. I plan to go back to the Study Group on Friday's during Ramadan.

Number 7 is the biggest one.  I've stayed away to give myself time to heal.  I had to get where I could better handle the things that tested my maturity, patience and fortitude.  I know more challenge will come but I think I'm where I need to be to handle them in a manner that will be pleasing to Allah.

The countdown to the Holy Days has begun: 31 days to Ramadan (estimated to begin August 21)