First Grade Homeschool Choices

First grade is the year I begin more structured instruction.  My child can sit for 20 minutes and engage in a topic with me.  Reading the list below of the resources I use might seem long and overkill, but trust me when I say they get done in just a few minutes.  First grade should need only about an hour of seat work per day.  And it certainly doesn't have to be done all at once!  Sometimes sitting the child down with spelling and handwriting while you get dinner ready is just the right thing.  Here is a list of what I've used before for First Grade, and what I plan to use with my next first grader Insha'Allah.  As always, I advise you, the parent, to preserve the relationship over the curriculum.  While not all days are happy and smooth, you don't need your homeschooling hours to be full of stress, tears, and screaming.  Make dua and start small.  It's a journey for both you and your precious child.

Language Arts:

Spelling: Spelling Workout A and B (my first grader had already learned how to read and level A was too easy for her) (4 days a week about 10 minutes each)

Handwriting:  Handwriting Without Tears Level 1 (daily for 5-10 minutes)

Grammar: First Language Lessons Level 1  (3 days a week)

Writing:  Writing With Ease Level 1  (4 days a week)

Reading: Leveled readers from the library, practice phonics. Read aloud from many suggestions found online or in First Language Lessons/Writing With Ease.

 

Math:

I used Math Mammoth which you download in PDF and print pages.

Check out Math U See and Singapore Math.  The publisher websites often have sample lessons.

Saxon Math is very parent intensive K-3.

 

History:

Story of the World Volume 1: Ancients with Student  Activity Guide

 

Science:

Real Science Odyssey which follows the recommendations in The Well Trained Mind, it’s just all printed up and ready to go for you.  Again, check publisher websites for sample lessons.

There also Mr. Q's  science which is easy and Level 1 (which you would use) is free. You download it to a computer and print as needed or just read it together off the screen:

 

Art: crafts, there are learning DVD’s you can use or just from library books.

Islamic Studies: I Love Islam or a schedule of reading from some book you like.

Quran: Sometimes, a morning meeting of 15 minutes at the kitchen table to recite memory work from the Quran is effective.  You could use that meeting time for any Quran/Dua related memory work.  Quran classes at the local masjid can be great at this age.

 

Arabic:  www.ad-duha.org is good for handwriting and connecting letters.  I used it one year and since the instructions are in English, the kids could work on it themselves. I’m thinking of getting a book for Aisha this year.

 

Homeschool Help Part 1

From time to time moms approach me with questions about homeschooling. They are interested in starting it for their family but are unsure what it entails. The questions are usually all the same, just as their concerns and doubts are the same, too. I feel flattered that they seek my opinion, and I always tell them that this is just my own opinion and point of view because there are so many ways to go about educating your children. I decided to start a few blog posts on this topic since the questions come up so often.

The first thing important to mention is that homeschooling is a very personal, family decision. In the end it will be as successful as your family can make it. Have a meeting with your spouse and talk about why you want to start this and what kind of compromises you are both willing to make. The shift in lifestyle will affect your current routine, so it's a good idea to talk about some the possible changes. I don't recommend anyone choose homeschooling out of fear of what's "out there". Let's make our reason to homeschool an empowered and positive one rather than a fearful one, know what I mean?

Because you have to pick what works for you, I encourage you to read up on homeschooling from various library books. When I first thought about homeschooling I came home with about ten library books on the subject. I read through almost all of them and started to get an idea of what it actually was. Once I read The Well Trained Mind I knew I could do it. Still now, five years later, I am following their method. The book is a blueprint for teaching preschool through high school, so I recommend you focus on the grade levels you are interested in rather than try to read the whole thing at once!

I have 4 children. I started homeschooling when I had a 4th grader, 3rd grader, and KG. My baby was 20 months old. I ordered a starter kit from Rainbow Resource (they will send you a free catalog) which is what they recommend for new homeschoolers. I didn’t care so much about curriculum at that time and I didn’t even know about any of the different ones out there. I just wanted a proper work load to start. I bought the 4th grade, 3rd grade, and KG kits (like this one for 3rd Grade). And it worked very well to get me started, to see how to pace myself, and then to determine what I would like to change for the following year.  Three months into the year I changed the Language Arts because I realized it was too easy and I wanted more for the kids. I researched from The Well Trained Mind and found a good solution.

The toddlers and preschoolers are challenging. They get into trouble and don’t understand you need to focus time with the older ones. Google “homeschooling with toddlers” and you will find sooo much advice! I used to have a box with toys only for homeschool time. The baby would play with them only during school time. I also bought her things to keep her busy especially for her according to her age from educational websites or stores. Some moms wait until nap time to get the hard things done like grammar or math, and then the whole family can do things like history, reading, science together.

The part about religious studies: I think we all have a hard time fitting in all the deen (religion) things we want. You could set some simple goals and just aim for getting something done. You can find links to fabulous Muslim homeschooling websites on the main page of my blog. You can make a simple outline for your year by month and print out worksheets and do them once a week or whatever you like. I’m thinking of printing things out by the subject matter (Islamic) and making one theme a month to learn (salah, wudu, seerah, etc..). It might be a good time to see what your goals are, actually, for your kids' Islamic education.

Before I end, I would like to mention one of the main things that keeps things flowing, and that is a routine. It doesn't have to be set to a clock, but if you have a rhythm in your home, then everyone knows what they should be doing at a certain time. My kids know there is a time for school work, for electronics, for chores. This rhythm will change slightly as seasons and activities change, and that's good, too. Just keep things flowing. I found a lot of good advice from some home management books such as Large Family Logistics.

One final thing worth mentioning is that I keep praying and asking God for patience, wisdom, and guidance. When I started this journey, I made my intention to please God and to raise children who feel comfortable in their faith and are strong in it. When things get crazy I have to sit down and renew my intention and ask for more help. Without the grace and mercy of Allah we could not have gotten as far as we have.

“And if Allah touches you with affliction, none can remove it but He: But if He bestows upon you a favor, remember that He is the Possessor of every power to do all that He wills.” ——— The Holy Quran, Chapter 6, Verse 17.

Ramadan Printable Magazine from Easel and Ink

Assalamu alaikom

My friends over at Easel and Ink have put out their third Ramadan magazine for FREE.  It is a cute and interactive printable document that is fun for kids.  There are little poems, word finds, articles, coloring pages, and tidbits of information all about Ramadan and Eid.  It might be a little 'old' for the older kids, but I think up to about age 10 it would be a hit. Check it out!
Ramadan Magazine

Ramadan Enrichment Program Day 2

Maryam went to the second of eight camp classes at the mosque and had this to share about their activities:

Today we made iftar bowls ( when we break our fast). We put dates, dried plums, dried apricots, and mini sunflowers. We  hade a lot of fun doing that, after that our teacher told us a story about the prophet (salla Allahu alahyi wa sallam).It was very exiting!  While she told us the story we had a mock camp out in the classroom with friends, we set up the whole classroom with blankets, and pillows

                                Here is a picture of the bowl.

 



Ramadan Day 5 at home

Assalamu alaikom
Even though I'm fighting a painful cold, I really wanted to spend at least half an hour with the girls doing some things from our Ramadan pile of activities.  I can't believe how many bloggers are out there putting out free printables and lessons for the community.  It's easy to get into overkill and feel like you have to do it just right or do all the crafts, but luckily I'm not like that :D  I have printed a few blog pages I like and am doing them with the younger girls for a few minutes daily.
Today we talked about the five pillars of Islam while Aisha colored in the page I found from A Muslim Homeschool.

And Maryam worked on her binder which has a nice printout also from A Muslim Homeschool plus other printouts.  I'm having her practice Arabic writing by doing copywork in addition to reading verses related to fasting in Ramadan.  I included some Quran reading tracking and fasting tracking pages.  Here she is filling in one of those pages for some acts of worship she's done.

I've enjoyed having some focused Ramadan activities to do.  I find that a good time to do these are in the afternoon when it's too hot to play outside.

Ramadan Enrichment Program Day 1

Assalamu alaikom

Our masjid is offering a class for various ages that incorporates crafts, songs, Islamic stories, and other goodies into a 2 hour, twice a week program this Ramadan.  Today was the first day and was a hit with my 9 year old who is going to help me write the rest of this blog!  She says:
First, we sat in a circle and introduced ourselves.  Then we talked about Ramadan, and our teacher told us a little story about Fatima (radiAllahu anha), the daughter of Muhammad peace be upon him.  After that, we made thikr beads which will help us remember to say little prayers called 'dua' in Arabic.  Here is a picture of my beads:

After that we made a box to put the beads in.  I decorated my box with teal beads, and I put a moon and a star inside the lid of the box.  We put a sparkly blue cloth inside of the box to make it look pretty.





I had so much fun today, and I can't wait to go back on Thursday.

Happy Ramadan

Assalamu alaikom

It's the 4th day of Ramadan, we are back home after travelling to Dallas, and we're getting things back in order.
I'm using this blog and the links in there (some of which are not working) to give us some Ramadan activities each day. 
It's a little hard to accept that my almost 12 year old and my 13 year old are past wanting to participate in the activities I want to do.  I know they would benefit from some facts review and from a nudge in doing extra worship, but they are so resisting it.  I will keep praying for their guidance and for their hearts to be steadfast.
The 5 and 9 year olds are still up for lapbooking, worksheets, and coloring, so I am plugging away with them!
We're starting the Ramadan Lapbook from this website today.  Here's one page about the months in Islam.

A "Crow"tastrophe

My daughter saw a crow with his head stuck in the fence.  Here's what he looked like:

 



It was really a sad sight to see.  Our whole family went outside to check it out.  My husband was good enough to put some work gloves on and attempt a rescue:

 

 

Poor birdie flew a few feet then was still for a while.  We left it, and it was gone this morning when I went to look.  Aisha promptly offered that a coyote could have gotten it.  I was hoping it just needed a moment to recover and flew on his merry way :D

 

After looking at those first two pictures a little bit closer, I took the girls and went back to the fence to take a closer look.  I think the poor thing was badly injured and splattered and dripped blood around his body on the fence.  It definitely looks like blood.  A neighbor happened to be walking by at the time, so she and her two little ones helped us look and analyze.  

 





Year 4 Wrap Up

It's a little bit hard to believe that I'm about to write about my 4th year homeschooling.  I wish I were more eloquent and knew how to share the vast and varied feelings, happenings, ups and downs, but I will try my best for now to share what's on my mind.

I often come to this blog, start a topic, and then delete it.  I want to share about what we're doing, but I don't have the time to find cute pictures, clever captions, and witty enough prose.  I keep the blog because I wish to keep a kind of journal of my own journey and also because I wish I could somehow inspire someone in one little thing.  Lord knows I've been helped along by random strangers and their blogs and also by sincere friends and family. 

I want to whip up blog entries that talk about patience, prayer, renewing intentions and goals.  I want to talk about the humbling experience of going through a big misunderstanding, and the even more humbling experience I had in learning how to let my daughter grow and spread her wings this year.  I want to talk about what my children taught *me* this year because I almost feel like that was more valuable than what I taught them.

See, for me, homeschooling and parenting blur at many points.  Homeschooling my children felt like an extension of parenting them.  When others asked how I would manage all my different 'roles' with them, I didn't see how it would be any different than any other role I play in their lives.  And it wasn't, for the most part.  Being together in the homeschool capacity has been a normal rhythm of life that didn't take much adjusting to; it was very natural and the benefits flooded in immediately. 

I want to talk about curriculum and things like books and educational philosophies.  But I don't.  I don't want to sit and type out a bunch of my ideas that I end up deleting because I think I end up sounding random or without a point.  By the time I sit down to make a blog post I'm just too tired to put much effort into it.

So here we are finishing up our 4th year of homeschooling.  Praise God! What a big journey I never saw coming.  It has truly been one of the best things that's happened to us as a family in many ways.  Just the growth in character (mine, ahem) has been worth it.  Now that I have two children out of elementary school, I feel like investing in the elementary years is really the way to go.  Letting the kids play and grow at their own pace rather than be tied to an arbitrary school schedule is something I do believe in and think is good to provide if possible.  I've seen both sides of that coin, and I know which one is less stressful and more rewarding!  (my older two children went to elementary schools up to 2nd and 3rd grades while the younger two have never been).

Historically, the teenage years are when young people take on more responsibility and venture further from home.  We know that in some times and cultures, teenagers married, worked, and had children.  That's not how things go today here in the US, but I think that letting the kids further out of the family circle helps them to find their place in the world.  They need to separate from their parents in order to see who they are, and I am not willing to set up various classes and opportunities for my teenagers to give them that balance, so off they go to the public junior high.  God willing, with a strong foundation and continued family involvement and support they will make the best choices they can. 

I would like to blog more about my little ideas more often so that I don't feel overwhelmed when I do sit down to type.  Maybe I will be better at doing that.  I will be able to elaborate on any light bulb moments I'm having at the time!

Thanks for reading this far.  I guess I'll look back at this post one day and think how far I've come. Insha'Allah.

What's up with wheat?

I can really hardly believe it.  Last fall I had a meltdown about all the food do's and don'ts that bombard the innocent civilian; dairy is terrible for you, go vegan, sugar is inflammatory, gluten free, organic for the dirty dozen but other produce are ok, juicing, smoothies... and so on.  I had had enough and quit reading any article or list about food for a long time. 

Earlier in the year I suspected that something I was eating was making me feel foggy, drowsy, and sluggish.  I'd come back from outings exhausted and lie down in bed for up to 2 hours on a weekday. Yes, two hours!  If not that, it would be lying on the couch around 11am just to give me a boost to keep going for a little bit longer till I could go take a proper lie down in my bed later.  And I *always* felt extra sleepy after lunch no matter what.

Well, after one particularly bad day, my mom recommended I try dropping one food and see if I felt better, and so I decided to eliminate wheat from my diet temporarily to see if anything changed.  I started that towards the end of April (2014) and now it's been almost 2 weeks.  I am astonished at my energy level and clear headedness.  Today I realized that I haven't had to lie down and 'rest' for many days now.  That is worth its weight in gold right there!  Two weeks ago, when this started, I came back from a morning outing of getting haircuts and lunch.  I collapsed in bed and was out of sorts with a headache the rest of the day.  I was so sad about that; about my physical self not being able to just enjoy a simple outing and then carry on with the rest of my day.  That was the day of change.

So, while I am not into following these trends, all I can say is that the proof is in the pudding.  I noticed that from Tuesday through Friday of last week I did a lot of tasks, back to back, without that "I'm losing it feeling" and with a good mood!  Looking back at all the things I did today, I can say that I wouldn't have held up this well 3 weeks ago without my afternoon bed rest. During this time I've continued to take my daily iron and vitamin D supplements as I always do.  I was sure to change only one thing at a time to see if it had an effect on me.

Alhamdulilah, all praise is to God, for this discovery, but at the same time I wonder why is it that wheat has me feeling like it does.