My daughter loves singing a song she learnt in school about the seven colours in the rainbow. One day when she was busy singing to herself and I was working on my lesson plan for the next Sunday class, I reflected on how easily children learnt things if put in tune and/or rhyme. So with my daughter's help we put together a few peppy numbers for our forthcoming classes.
This Sunday I introduced them to the Five Pillars of Islam.
I showed them the pillars I had made out of paper and explained what pillars were used for. Then I told them that there are five pillars that hold up Islam for each and every Muslim. The words were new to them so I just skimmed the surface in my explanation so that they get an idea of each pillar, but not necessarily a clear understanding. This was just an introduction to the pillars of Islam and the purpose was just to learn the names first. I plan to cover each pillar individually over the next five weeks, in shaa Allah.
I then gave them little squares which had the name of the pillars written with a picture that would help them remember what the pillar was. These were hand drawn and then photocopied.
I made them repeat the names as I passed them around - Shahadah, Salah, Zakat, Sawm and Hajj. Then I gave them a sheet of paper each on which they placed their palm and traced around it with a pencil. I went over the pencil drawing with my black marker and wrote Pillars of Islam in the center.
We then stuck the little squares, one above each finger. I did this with each child so that we said the pillars aloud while we were at it. So everyone got to hear and say the words quite a number of times.
Then I let them colour the whole thing in. Ah! Colouring is such a blissful activity. Every child busy creating a whirlwind of colours, yet with unparalleled calm and concentration. Even when I want to calm my own kids down or give myself some peace and quiet, I give them some colouring sheets. So, this peaceful activity gave me the opportunity to introduce our song. While they laboured with the crayons, I sang. Again and again and again. Till they were done. And by the end a couple of them were singing along with me.
This is the song we prepared for them.
How many pillars of Islam are there? (3)
Count and you will see.
Shahadah, Salah, Zakat, Sawm (3)
And the fifth one's Hajj!
There are five pillars in Islam (3)
Count and you will see.
To end the class, we had another Arabic alphabet recognition game. I stuck letters at different places around the room and had them find the letters in order - from alif to raa. Then I called out a child's name and a letter, and that child had to run to the letter. I did this till everyone had had a go. We all clapped and cheered each child. And alhamdulillah, they really knew their letters!
This Sunday I introduced them to the Five Pillars of Islam.
I showed them the pillars I had made out of paper and explained what pillars were used for. Then I told them that there are five pillars that hold up Islam for each and every Muslim. The words were new to them so I just skimmed the surface in my explanation so that they get an idea of each pillar, but not necessarily a clear understanding. This was just an introduction to the pillars of Islam and the purpose was just to learn the names first. I plan to cover each pillar individually over the next five weeks, in shaa Allah.
I then gave them little squares which had the name of the pillars written with a picture that would help them remember what the pillar was. These were hand drawn and then photocopied.
I made them repeat the names as I passed them around - Shahadah, Salah, Zakat, Sawm and Hajj. Then I gave them a sheet of paper each on which they placed their palm and traced around it with a pencil. I went over the pencil drawing with my black marker and wrote Pillars of Islam in the center.
We then stuck the little squares, one above each finger. I did this with each child so that we said the pillars aloud while we were at it. So everyone got to hear and say the words quite a number of times.
Then I let them colour the whole thing in. Ah! Colouring is such a blissful activity. Every child busy creating a whirlwind of colours, yet with unparalleled calm and concentration. Even when I want to calm my own kids down or give myself some peace and quiet, I give them some colouring sheets. So, this peaceful activity gave me the opportunity to introduce our song. While they laboured with the crayons, I sang. Again and again and again. Till they were done. And by the end a couple of them were singing along with me.
This is the song we prepared for them.
How many pillars of Islam are there? (3)
Count and you will see.
Shahadah, Salah, Zakat, Sawm (3)
And the fifth one's Hajj!
There are five pillars in Islam (3)
Count and you will see.
To end the class, we had another Arabic alphabet recognition game. I stuck letters at different places around the room and had them find the letters in order - from alif to raa. Then I called out a child's name and a letter, and that child had to run to the letter. I did this till everyone had had a go. We all clapped and cheered each child. And alhamdulillah, they really knew their letters!
Jazaak Allahu khair for sharing sister! It's a lovely idea. I ll b trying this with mine in shaa Allah. Any particular tune that goes with the lyrics?
ReplyDeleteJazak Allah for commenting! I don't really know how to explain the tune we used for the song. In shaa Allah, I will try and put up a video of Z singing it.
DeleteMashallah! Reading about your sincerity and hard work (not to forget creativity) has inspired me to restart with my own kids. Hope this fun way of teaching can change their perspective of learning and understanding Islam to some thing they want to do rather than 'have to' in sha allah
ReplyDeleteJazak Allah for your kind, encouraging words. This blog was created to document and inspire. So please go ahead and use the methods to teach your kids, and maybe in shaa Allah, other kids as well. Also remember to share your experiences. It would be nice to learn from one another.
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