INDEPENDENT LEARNERS

Off, for now

2010-01-25T13:43:00.003Z

Assalamu alaykum sisters,

it's been a while since I posted but I am not back for good, just a quick visit.

I am sorry to disappoint you all, but I won't be blogging for a while, don't know yet for how long. It all depends how long it will take for my life to go back on track. And that maybe never as we know nothing is forever, things changed as much as we dislike it. Mash'Allah wa hamdulillah Allah has blessed me with big and small tests for a while now. It's a blessing as I feel much closer to my Creator and also I am learning a lot on the way. Mash'Allah. Things that I thought could never happened, did indeed happened. Things I was not happy about became a reality and as a result my health paid the price. But hamdulilah to be a Muslim as I find comfort in the Qur'an and reading duas.

So for now I'd like to say jazakallahu kheiran to all of you for your kind support and messages.

Please remember me and my kids in your duas,

wa alaykum assalam

Our holidays in pics!

2010-01-04T09:28:00.006Z

Assalamu alaykum,
the almost 3 weeks out of school are now over. Kids are back to school and I am back to my normal routine. During the past 3 weeks we have been busy catching up visiting places we love such as the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, the Transport Museum and of course more local to us, Discover!
Kids had the opportunity for the first time to ice-skate and to my surprise the younger one was the best at it! Mash'Allah :)
Days have passed by so quickly and I didn't have any time to stop and sit. There has been a constant use of the Internet. Kids have discovered new websites such as Education City and E-Learning.
Qur'an and Arabic has been on as usual and S. is almost at the end of Juzz Amma with recitation as well as tajweed. Mash'Allah tabarkallah!

Now I have been having big issue with my eldest to get him pray and sincerely this time I don't know what to do. I have tried them all but every time it is the same answer 'No'. I really need some help here. When I call him to pray he seems always too busy and too careless to think about praying. I have explained to him how important it is to pray and how much rewards he will have if he keeps up with his prayers. I haven't asked him yet to pray 5 times a day. Although when he used to be 7 he used to pray all his prayers no problem. In a way i knew things would change with years passing and I see others sisters struggling with their kids too. But what to do? I fear that by next year when he will be 10 he won;t be ready to pray his 5 prayers and that would make my life harder and bitter.
I need some tips to help him and help me to understand what I should do. Insh'Allah.
Please do make duas for my child.

for now
wa alaykum assalam
x

fajr time mash'Allah!

Chicken pie. Kids helped with the pastry. Comfort food for cold days.

Making an ice cave at Discover.

One of the many activities for the kids during the holidays.

Baby's making his very own ice cave using loads of glue! :)

The spoon activity. S. loves this one every time we go to Discover.

Baby dressed as a chick so cute mash'Allah!

My three boys, all dressed up to impress :))

'Suburbia' a new area at the Transport Museum

Some well-deserved rest after a day at the Museum

Ummi, I got lost! Where to now?

Beautiful coach, old style. Imagine it used to run in Oxford Street!!

So cute!

Baby gangster with his favourite drink...:)

Pure fun and sweating at the ice rink.

I enjoyed the most sitting warmly at the cafe' just above

the ice rink with a hot cup of choc.Yum!

S.pet, Hammy!So sweet and a very intelligent pet.

It's snowed!

2009-12-22T23:01:00.013Z

Assalamu alaykum
for the past few days it has been snowing, mash'Allah. We mainly stayed indoors, drinking hot chocolate and keeping warm.
We have been spending time together, like the 'old days' when I used to homeschool the boys. We played board games and watched documentaries, A.'s favourite past-time is to learn about wild life, mainly wild cats and all that Allah created, Mash'Allah. I am wondering if he will grow into a zoologist, biologist or maybe a vet? Insh'Allah. Whatever he will choose I pray it will be an halal job full of rewards.Amin.
Here are some pictures of our past days. Just as I didn't post any for such a looong time.
Enjoy.
wa alaykum assalam
x

Happy! :)

2009-12-17T20:49:00.000Z

Assalamu alaykum,

I am just so happy about what's happening I decided to write it down straight away. Having this blog have made such a difference and it is such a great idea to keep track of my boys' progresses.

Now that A. and S. are in the same school I am more happy and calm. No more rushing around and I have more time to spend with them after school.Hamdulillah!

I have realized something really important today. I look at my kids and see their progress, they have come a loooong way, mash'Allah! Something really amazed me; they really do love reading!

I find that reading is not just picking up a book, for my kids reading is a total different experience, They read and ask questions, they want to know, they are thirsty to learn and discover. They read everyday and if it is not homework or sports activities is all about books! Mash'Allah!!

One more thing that amazed me, since they started school their confidence, speech, language and knowledge have boosted up big time. Specially S. who has never been at school and was just too shy, he is now a little confident young man and he can now talk about his day at school so proudly and happily. Mash'Allah!!!

The skills they are acquiring and the knowledge is something I could not have done it only by homeschooling them. What they are learning about the world around them is so amazing. They now have friends and they can see them everyday. Before it was always them two. Now they have that bit of independence that can benefit them now and insh'Allah in the future. Hamdulillah. I am also so happy about the school; hamdulillah because we live in a predominantly Muslim area and the school is a reflection of that:food is halal, on 'Eid day the kids are at home, school is aware of the fact that as Muslims we do not take part in singing or music lessons and won't make a fuss out of it. Hamdulillah.

Just some of my thoughts that I needed to share

Just an update

2009-12-06T20:39:00.002Z

Assalamu alaykum sisters,

I cannot believe how long it took me to write an update. I have less time now that the boys are at school. In fact my energies all goes to keep little man busy. I am so happy that Baby S. can attend toddler groups, baby yoga, baby football and gym and so much more.

So here is the update, just a quickie. Sorry no pics.

Finally A. got a place in S.school hamdulillah, that mean an easier day for me because so far i had to rush around trying to arrive early for S. but ended up every time late for A. The school was too far!

Kids are happy settled in the new school. S. is now learning divisions and carried on with timetables. He can solve small problems involving divisions and additions. Everyday at school S. does lot of spellings and reading. In Science he is learning about the five senses. Also this week S.class had the opportunity to host some very important people in our community and learnt about their role. S. was impressed by the role of the fireman, the doctor and a road cleaner. They then had to write about why he chose a particular role model. He found the process really interesting.Mash'Allah.

A. has carried on the work about journalism. His teacher is really lovely and everyday I had a chance to speak to her about A.progress. She said is a very talkative and inquisitive child mash'Allah. She was impressed to learn that A. knows how to use different applications with the PC and knows how to assemble a movie with Movie Maker. Remember the movie he made?

In Maths they are learning division and multiplications up to x12.

Both kids are busy all week long with free activities after school organized by the school, mash'Allah such as football, multi-skills, karate, computing and so much more.

Qur'an and Arabic is coming along really nicely and while S. is finishing off 30th Juz Amma, A. is well under way finishing 29th Juzz. Hamdulillah wa mash'Allah.

And for now that's all.

May you have all a happy week.

wa alaykum assalam

A new member in the family

2009-11-23T15:02:00.009Z

Assalamu alaykum all,

this past few days have been really rewarding for me. The kids have been very good in sticking with our new routine: fajr-school-after school clubs-homework-Qur'an and Arabic.

I would have preferred Qur'an and Arabic early in the morning, and we do so on Saturdays and Sundays but because of the school and other commitments of the teacher, we have to wait for it until late afternoon.

Hamdulillah so far the boys are happy with this new routine and kept busy with worksheets at home. Mash'Allah wa hamdulillah.

Qur'an have been the most rewarding of all, mash'Allah. A. is well on the way to finish a new Juz and I am so proud of him mash'Allah, may Allah always keep him and us in the straight Path.Amin. May Allah increase us in knowledge.Amin.

So what have we worked on?

A. finished his lapbook about slavery for the Black Month History. He also has been working on division and multiplication, verbs and contractions. In Science he completed a research about a reptile, Komodo dragon.

S. is learning timetables x2,x5,x10 and at school they do always lots of reading and text comprehension. In Science he is learning about natural things (Allah's creation) and man-made things.

We have also been talking about Hajj and the importance of the first 10 days of Dhul Hijah.

I am looking again for a valid Islamic Curriculum. I might buy the one from Ad-Duha institute insh'Allah. In the past years I resorted to use books from Islamic shops specially from Darussalam.

Swimming and wrestling has been on as usual. We are almost at the end of the last term for this year and I am so looking forward to know if A. will make to the advanced level in swimming. Insh'Allah.

And now for our new little member:

my love for the animals have brought me to choose for my kids, and for me lol, a dwarf Russian hamster.

And here it is!!! I love the idea that the kids will take on a bit of the responsibility of looking after such a tiny pet making sure he gets all he needs during the day. Mash'Allah.

Looking after a pet and prior to that researching about the pet ones wants to look after is really very educational not just for the kids! :)

Also this week...

Kids decorated their bedroom with this wall stickers,

a super road for the rally cars

inside the lapbbok about slavery

playing snap in a 'healthy' way!!

some more on Lego world! I don't think my boys will never grow out

of this one.

S. is doing his school work

Our little Hammy

So much to learn!!

2009-11-16T11:09:00.002Z

Assalamu alaykum

mash'Allah there is so much I can still do at home with my boys and I am enjoying benefiting fully from the school experience. It is a great support for me now that i cannot educate my kids 100% as I used to. It's a little bit like I 'rely' on school for implement concepts and study activities. Also socialization and free sport activities. But the best part of the day when my kids are at home, after school and learn with me.

We try to sit down everyday if possible, some days is difficult due to other commitments such as swimming, Qur'an classes, wrestling, after school clubs ...mash'Allah wa hamdulillah.

So what have I been teaching my kids?

S. is currently learning timetables and I am starting him off with division. Insh'Allah. In English he is learning contractions, looking again at the phonics, lots of reading and parts of a sentence.Mash'Allah. In Science we are working about 'Autumn' theme and all related to it such as acorns, apples, falling leaves...

We have started little French as he is already doing it in school. Just learning the colours and numbers. Mash'Allah.

A. has been busy with the 'Black history Month' and as part of the curriculum the class visited the Docklands Museum. I am integrating the teaching done at school and at the Museum with various reading about Slavery, Martin Luther King and history in general from the Caribbean.

In Math A. is doing division and revising timetables up to by 12.

In Science we started to learn about reptiles and mainly crocodiles and and alligators.

In English I need to work harder with A. because he doesn't really like grammar and find it hard to understand the verbs and parts of a sentence. I am also thinking to revise phonics. Phonics area vital part of a child speech and writing.

So far we have stick to our routine and trying to get the best out of the school.

Insh'Allah all will work for the best.

for now

wa alaykum assalam

Homeschooling while schooling! :)

2009-11-13T18:29:00.004Z

Assalamu alaykum,

now that my kids are at school and I feel fully supported, hamdulillah, I can now look into integrate some more work at home and help my boys with their homework insh'Allah.

In the last week, I have made sure that homework was done on time and I also integrate some more at home specially English and Maths.

I have registered with Teacher File Box and I can now look the homeschooling experience in a different light. I don't feel guilty if one day I cannot teach the kids because I am not well. But I still have the possibility to teach when I can and enjoy seeing them learning.

A. teacher is really impressed with him. She said: 'The child is very communicative and loves taking part in every activity. He asks lots of questions and he wants to know more about what we do'. Mash'Allah tabarak'Allah!! Those are the effects of homeschooling and I am so happy for my boys.Hamdulillah.

I have also realized that schools can't never and I mean never replace in any way the hard work that parents should do at home!! Homeschooling still the very best option no doubt about that.

So dear homeschoolers out there, all I am going to say is KEEP IT UP!!! You are doing a great work and your kids will indeed benefit immensely from homeschooling.

Just a brief update and thoughts I needed to share.

Wa alaykum assalam

School days

2009-11-11T10:21:00.003Z

Assalamu alaykum all my dearest readers!

another update about the school experience so far.

Kids have started. S. has been at school now for about 2 weeks while A. just started last Monday.

So far we have no encounter major issues a part from A. being fussy over the school dinner!

They are enjoying so far the school experience and learning a lot on the way. In fact learning is coming tick and fast! S. is progressing in Maths really fast and only in the past 3 days has been coming home telling me all about capacity, measure, and weight! Mash'Allah!

I had my first parent evening in S.'school. The teacher, a caring Muslim sister, said she is really impressed with S. reading skills and phonics! Mash'Allah. She said he is enjoying the socialization aspects and he likes to take part in all the activities except music!! Ya Allah! She said it is not a major problem if he doesn't want to take part in music. Hamdulillah.

A. is enjoying the socialization side too and finding working with his friends really fun and rewarding. He said he can now have friends of his age, mash'Allah. He used to work with his little brother at home.

On the downside now :( Boys are attending two different schools and it makes it so hard for me to drop them and pick them up as I have to be in both places at the same time. A. couldn't get a place in S. school because it is overcrowded! A. didn't enjoy the school dinners and I will have to make pack lunches. S. had a problem in the playground with a child and was accused by one of the dinner's lady to be naughty! Astafirullah!! I spoke to them straight away and put the record right. My child is not naughty and I feel that jumping to conclusion without asking to the child what happened is really not on!! But then again this is real life experience and my kids will have to get on with it and be strong. Life's full of tests!

Missing my kids terribly...

Kids are so busy now with school, after school clubs, swimming, Qur'an and Arabic everyday, wrestling on weekend that I don't get a chance to sit with them and do work. Just couple of hours a week and I was hoping to carry on some work at home...what was i thinking???

Still some days we sit and do worksheets and lots of reading every evening. We talk a lot about things related to school and non. My boys are growing into young man and I am so worry now, really I am.

While I am writing, I am looking out the window, From here I can see S. playing in the school playground. Mash'Allah kids looks so happy and a bit wild!!! :)

for now

wa alaykum assalam

My first day of school

2009-11-03T17:56:00.000Z

by S. typed by my mum :)

My first day of school started early. At 7am the clock rang. I didn't want to open my eyes. It's too early!

My mum came in my room and I had to stand up. I washed my face and put on my uniform. It's blue and grey. I like my uniform so much. I have a blue bag and lots of colourful pencils.

My mum made breakfast and I like it. :)

My big brother said he is happy for me and he combed my hair with gel. I love my big brother.

Mum called us at the door. We are ready to go. I put on my black school shoes. I am happy and excited, maybe over-excited. My mum said it is not good to be over-excited, but excited is ok.

The class is bright and clean. My teacher is a Muslim lady and she is nice. I put my bag away and I have lots of friends. The classroom is colourful and I see lots of books. I love books.

I play with my friends, they are Muslims.

My mum come to pick me up. I missed her. My brother hug me and kiss me so much. I miss my brothers.

I had a nice day but I miss my mum and my brothers.

Feeling blessed, hamdulillah!

2009-10-21T18:14:00.003+01:00

Assalamu alaykum my dear readers and sisters fi deen,

Hamdulillah I feel a sense of relief and contentment.
S.is soon to start school. This week I will buying his uniform, the first uniform he has ever bought or worn for school a part from the abaya he used to wear at madrassa.
A. will follow soon, insh'Allah.Maybe as soon as next two weeks. InshAllah. The waiting list for this particular school is very long as the school has high demand. My boys have been on the list since the 1 of September.
I looked into their new routine and I tell you, it will be a busy one.
After school they will attend the 'after school clubs' and they will be joining in activities such as cooking, reading club, literacy, science lab, football, netball and so much more! MashAllah. Three times a week they will come at home with homework inshAllah. I do intend to carry on homeschooling for a hour or so a day, making sure they get the best out of the school's environment.
Everyday they will have Qur'an and Arabic as usual. Also swimming and wrestling is still on once a week and madrassa on Saturday. Insh'Allah.
I feel for now, it's the best choice, I mean keeping them busy and active.
We went to visit the school and it is a great place. 90% of the pupils are Muslims and there is a great majority of sisters teaching there. Food is totally halal for all, Muslims and non.
I visited their website and it's great, updated daily with the progress of the kids as well as activities and after school clubs. Also they are always on the look out for school governors and guess what? I will apply to be a school governors or at least in the parents board. Making sure things run swiftly :)
I am happy that out of 3 schools we applied to, the first choice was the one!
Kids are over excited! They cannot wait and feel so happy to start. InshAllah.

...About me, I am building my own schedule. I want to go back on learning the deen and tajweed. Also tafseer and Arabic. Insh'Allah. I don't have any longer a car and made a conscious decision to use my legs :) and public transport when needed. But I am also thinking of buying a bike to enjoy some riding time with my kids at the park inshAllah.
Keeping myself busy with activities, I couldn't do when homeschooling, is my main goal. No more studying at night or early morning. Hamdulillah.
I feel blessed. My illness and other various problems have been a bless as well as hardship.

Allah is the best of Planners indeed.

I have always said that the day my kids will have to attend school is because of my health. Allahu Alim.

The day has come and I need to see the positive side and accept Allah's decree upon me. I need to bear patiently and increase myself in activities that will bring me closer to my Lord. I have always been so passion about homeschooling and I would have never dreamt of putting my kids to school, never! In fact I am still in shock thinking that my kids who have never attended school, public school, will go. Please do remember us in your duas.

For now

wa alaykum assalam

Homeschooling quote

2009-10-11T14:57:00.002+01:00

How much people can learn at any moment depends on how they feel at that moment about the task and their ability to do the task. When we feel powerful and competent, we leap at difficult tasks. The difficulty does not discourage us; we think:Sooner or later, I'm going to get this. At other times we can only think: I'll never get this, it's too hard for me, I never was any good at this kind of thing, why do I have to do it, etc. Part of the art of teaching is being able to sense which of these moods learners are in. People can go from one mood to the other very quickly. - Holt

Home Education CAN carry on...

2009-10-03T12:39:00.008+01:00

Assalamu alaykum
hamdulillah Rabbi 'Alamin! Certainly we are just strangers in this dunya and we should remain as such, all praises are due to Allah, Lord of the Alamin. We seek His help and aid. May He always guide us to the straight Path.Amin.

Last few months have been hard and testing for me and my family. I found relief and comfort by looking carefully at my very situation...bad things turned out to be the best, my very own health problems are now a real blessings and all the world around me is just dunya...I feel relieved and glad and althought my test is not over yet and Allah knows best, I feel blessed Allah is my Comforter, my Reliever, My Creator and the One who I seek help from! Allah Akbar!!

Everything happens for a reason...
Home Education can carry on. In fact we have never truly stopped, maybe in my mind, maybe in the perception of how I personally see home education. But our life carried on everyday, hamdulillah. kids have learnt even in those very days filled with hardships. Those days have taught me a lot and I feel purely blessed and thank Allah for the chance He gave me.Hamdulillah.

Kids are still not in school, but I have started a more formal approach to home education. Just small things and mainly Islamic studies, Arabic and Qur'an. Those very 'subjects' are on everyday, in fact have never stopped for a day! Mash'Allah.
Also I will be using again the mindsprinting website for both boys even when the kids are at school, as I believe knowledge are never enough!
I am happy about the realization, or maybe just I have suddenly 'remembered' that home education can carry on and it doesn't have to stop only because the kids will attend school.
I have to say jazakallahu kheiran to all those beautiful sisters out there that without even realizing have contributed to my 'relief' and realization of this simple fact.
Kids seems more relaxed and happy now that we are back to a more normal routine. They have gone back to their usual sports activities namely swimming, football and wrestling and they will, insh'Allah, be starting soon a new saturday madrassa. Hamdulillah. Things are looking up and I thank Allah for all the blessings He has bestow upon me and my family.

I leave you with some pictures and pray you are all enjoying the benefits of homeschooling.
Wa alaykum assalam
x

A.truck

a building with a lift

S. built his own scoop

Baby S. in the local park. This is the aromatic garden.

Sitting in this area wakes up your senses...

S. enjoys his scooter

Baby S. pushing his pram

Autumn flowers, beautiful

Maghrib time at mine, the view is breathtaking!!!

Pizzeria, this one was excellent, mash'Allah

Can you spot the chef taking a pizza out the oven? So sweet!!

The pizzzeria, view from the street, people are crossing,

some waiting for the bus etc! So cute! Mash'Allah!

A bunch of roses...some very caring person bought for me

Autumn leaves

Collecting conkers. My boys and their friends made a big

pile and expected me to count them all!! What?!Lol

Little arms and hands, piling up the conkers

There is the time for this and the time for...

2009-09-22T21:15:00.004+01:00

that!
Assalamu alaykum to all my readers,
we had the most beautiful past 3 days for a loooooong time!!!!
These past three days have brought so much joy, peace and I feel recharge and full of energy! Hamdulillah!
We have had a very busy year and I have been pondering over our progresses. What have we learnt? It all looked grey and gloomy until few days ago. It is now crystal clear and I am happy I had time to go out, see other sisters, reflecting over important decisions and gathering all my thoughts together!
I feel that the decision to put the kids to school for now it is indeed the right one. I see myself with too much on my plate and wanted to do too much it has always been a very bad habit of mine!
I am extremely organized mash'Allah but that in itself could be a good or a bad thing! Good when you have 3 very active boys and husband to look after! Bad when you have to stick to the schedule and leave no time to rest because you have it all timed! Hamdulillah!
My kitchen cupboards are organized, my wardrobes are organised and the kids' bookcase and files are but...I now feel the need to break the rules and get a back seat and just relax. I have a whole year to do that! I feel I need to 'schedule' my pleasure and free time, 'organize' my breaks and rest.
-I have my University to finish, not that a degree is something I desperately seek, just the pleasure of life! :) ;
-I desperately and I repeat DESPERATELY want to go back to study my deen inside out!!!;
-I want to learn some Tafseer and go back to tajweed;
-I want to go back to knitting and felting!!!
And so much more...
I see my kids had 6 years of great fun at home, tears and joy! They learnt a whole lot more that I could ever imagined them to! My eldest just turned 9 years on August and I see the changes in my little growing man!
He wants a bit of Independence, of course he is still too small for that...but where I was born and brought up we enjoyed the fresh air 365 days a year no matter what age! I was brought in a small village, we played with raw materials: stones and mud, leaves and flowers! I know ho to milk a sheep and a cow, I can ride a horse and collect the eggs from the chicken. Hamdulillah for those small pleasure in life! I see my kids stuck in 4 walls everyday. Homeschooling brought so much happiness in our home but at the same time I feel my kids need to see and relate with a different environment. So for this year, school will be! Insh'Allah! A big change that will open different doors...insh'Allah.

Back on our great past 3 days! We had a wonderful 'eid. Prayed at one of the biggest Mosque in London and enjoyed the company of a dear sister and her family mash'Allah. We had a meal out and the kids for the first time in years received no just sweets and books as usual, but toys! Mash'Allah! Uncles and aunties have been pretty generous, hamdulillah!
The day after we were invited over to a really nice party. Kids played all afternoon, jumping on and off the bouncy castle while mums were having the most delicious BBQ and cakes! Yummy! Of course kids ate too :)
Today, we were at another party and guess what? More bouncy castle, cakes, BBQ, and great company!Hamdulillah! Chatted with a really nice sister. I relate so much to what she was telling me about homeschooling and having no support, help or appreciation. She felt lonely and needed not just encouragement and support but financial help. Her husband was of the idea that school was the best and never thought of given her money to buy books and materials for her kids. After all homeschooling is expensive! She left homeschooling as she had too much stress and pressure. Now her kids are at state school and she feel happier as she knows her husband is the responsible in front of Allah for the education of the family.
I myself took a great responsibility for my kids; i tried to do my best for the past 6 years and hamdulillah I see the results in my kids but I am also too aware that if my health is no good for a while my kids are all alone! And Allah knows best.

This year 'eid have been a real time for me and family to spend some good quality time together, for the kids to celebrate with their friends, and for me specially to lighten up the heavy weight I had on top of myself for too long! And hamdulillah!
There is a time for everything, for me and for my family, for homeschooling and for school...a time for this and a time for that.

wa alaykum assalam
x

'Eid Mubarak to you all!!!

2009-09-20T22:38:00.003+01:00

Assalamu alaykum

it seems like Ramadan has come and gone...too fast...

'Eid Mubarak to you all, may Allah accept our fasting and duas.Amin.

Kids and I had a really lovely day today, hamdulillah, but this is another post.

For now

wa alaykum assalam

Back online, summer is finishing and Ramadan is going fast...away :(

2009-09-08T18:44:00.007+01:00

Assalamu alaykum,

only today i was able to go back online. It took so long to get connected in this part of the world! hamdulillah it's all over now and I can go back to my usual routine and of course studies.

I have lots to write but I will try to keep it short and sweet as I prefer to use my free time for acts of ibadah specially now in these very last few days of Ramadan.

Ramadan has come and almost gone...subhan'Allah! This year it has been extra special because of the new place and also because it so unusual, for me at least, to fast in summer. It's 10 years I am a Muslimah hamdulillah and never I fasted in the summer months. I must say it's easier than I thought and it is all going mash'Allah.

A. managed to complete 1 day of fasting and 2 days half way through (until about 6.30pm). He got very tired, very quickly. In itself the fact that he was tired and hungry taught him a lesson and a very important one too!

Both boys had a nice summer, very quite except for the move which took longer than we thought.

The boys will be starting school soon and this blog will be stay up and running but I won't be recording our homeschooling days any longer for obvious reasons. It will be fun to record our school days. So for this year is school and Allah knows best! We haven't actually received the confirmation letter from school yet, just waiting in their list.

The decision came about when I realized that my health was getting worse. And because of my health, my dh felt it was time to relieve me from all the duties I was accustomed since the boys were born. I just feel I could have wait one more year, then again it's not by my hands and Allah knows best my position. Hamdulillah for His Mercy towards us.

I am currently looking for a good evening madrassa. The boys will be still attending Qur'an lessons privately but I'd like for them to restart a madrassa. Just need to keep them busy for now as I know I need time to recover and go back in my usual self.

Please do make duas for me.

I am leaving you with some pics from the past month or so.

May Allah accept our fasting and duas, amin.

Fi amanillah

wa alaykum assalam

When you live in a small place...

2009-08-17T00:04:00.001+01:00

Assalamu alaykum,
So we moved, we are in our new little, tiny place hamdulillah.
We are happy and glad everything went almost ok.
The actual move was a very stressful one; it's not easy to move from a big house with a garden to a small flat on the 11th floor!!
Hamdulillah! It was necessary for us to move and we are here now and want to make our little place into a 'castle'.

All the summer I planned for the kids lots of free activities and courses! Guess what??? Things planned are never my thing! Hamdulillah as Allah is the Best of Planner! A. attended a free course about ICT at the beginning of the summer holidays then it all went out the windows.
The second week he started his literacy and numeracy course but he could only attend 2 days out of 5. The third week he supposed to be doing Science but we were moving.
And now we are all sick and the boys cannot attend the Islamic course I registered them to and I paid for it! Ya Allah!
On the bright side we are making good use of the little space we have and be minimalistic is the rule!
I like to live in such a small, modest place. It's quick and easy to clean. No clutter. I can gather all the family quickly. Answer the phone quicker as well as the door and don't need to worry to keep clean and tidy the garden! Hamdulillah! :)
We are also enjoying our so local park. We live literally in front of it! This particular park is massive, it has a big playground with a paddling pool for the kids and the park in itself is very well looked after! MashAllah!
The kids like there even before we moved in the area. MashAllah. I used to drive them down here but now...we are just next door to it!

On another note, I am pondering over the next schooling year. At present I am pressurized on putting the kids to school. I was told around here schools are at the top of the league. Then again, I love homeschooling and I cannot even think to put my kids in school.
Need your help and duas. I know it's my own decision in the end...well sort of! I still have to talk throu with the 'boss', but I need to focus again in homeschooling and I need you to remind me the benefits of homeschooling.
I think I feel I am failing with my kids and I am not doing a good job. I think I was brought to consider school because I am not English and I cannot teach my kids in English as I should...so much is in my head now. I am getting so worry and September is fast approaching.

I have got lots to think throu...
For now
Wa alaykum assalam
X

I am packing away...

2009-08-09T18:06:00.002+01:00

...literally!
Assalamu alaykum
we are moving! Few more days and we will be in our new flat, insh'Allah.We are leaving behind a very big, spacious house with garden for a small flat on a block, hamdulillah! But we are happy :)
I haven't forgotten to update the blog, it's just I have been busy with all that there is to be done.
So, ladies keep your eyes peeled because I will be posting pics from my new flat on the 11th floor and I tell you the view up there is absolutely astonishing!!! Mash'Allah tabark'Allah.
See you soon,
wa alaykum assalam
x

ICT and lots of fun!!

2009-07-29T12:11:00.004+01:00

Assalamu alaykum,
While I am writing this new post from my mobile, my two younger ones are swimming in a big pool full of soft toys and colourful balls. I can hear them shouting, screaming and just enjoying being together in this great play area, one of many near my home. It's open everyday in summer from 9am to 2pm and from Monday to Friday same time as before, in school days.
We often come here. It's here where I can rest as I know it's a clean and safe area and the kids are inside and cannot leave. I just sit and enjoy looking at them climbing, running, sliding, swimming etc. MashAllah.
While sitting I am thinking about the months to come...Ramadan and then after a new school year. I haven't decided yet about the curriculum and still not sure what I will do. Just a vague idea. Dh wants the kids to go to school and once again I am finding myself fighting an needless 'battle'. Need to make duas and stay steadfast. I need once again to go back to my Lord and ask for guidance.
InshAllah the month of Ramadan is soon and we cannot wait. I am stocking up on art and craft materials. Keeping the kids busy, insh'Allah. I am also looking out for DVDs with stories about Ramadan, books and need to spruce up the old collection of PC CD-ROM. All to keep the kids busy while fasting long hours.

A.is at school for all week. He started a new course: ICT. He is enjoying and learnt about a new software to make videos, using Windows Word and how to create a folder. The week is not over yet, two more days. Next week A.will be at another course. This time will be literacy and numeracy. InshAllah.
Also gardening has been really a great activity with the boys this summer. We planted new flowers and plants. Cleaned up the front garden and tidied up the bushes. Mowed the lawn and gave a good clean to our shed and garden furniture! By the end of the day the kids were exhausted!!
We had few picnics here and there, not as many as I was hoping, weather has not been great but hamdulillah.
Quran and Arabic was on as usual. Kids are progressing nicely and I am hoping they can develop true love for the Qur'an, not just repeating like parrots! I need to remind them constantly why we read the Qur'an and why it is so important. The tafseer booklets from Ad-Duha are great for this purpose and I am looking forward for Ad-Duha Institute to re-open their website to purchase the rest of the Tafseer collection, insh'Allah.

For now, enjoy your week!

wa alaykum assalam

Nature Detective resources

Nature Detective for a day!

Soft play area, S. just relaxing on a soft dolphin

The swimming pool

Holidays!!!!

2009-07-25T17:35:00.009+01:00

Assalamu alaykum,

yes, we are totally relax, doing no much a part from Qur'an and Arabic!!

We sent back the last test to Calvert and so it's goodbye for now...maybe on September we will get the 3rd grade? We'll see. For now I need rest, my boys need rest and we all need time to get ready for Ramadan, insh'Allah. Hamdulillah.

Kids had busy two weeks with far more that I was expected! They tried out a new sport: fencing and attended so far 4 lessons. They really liked it and asked to go again next week, insh'Allah.

We attended the annual Al-Noor funday and it was mash'Allah! We try to go every year as it is the only occasion we can enjoy in an halal environment, and kids get to go on the fun rides with their Muslim friends, hamdulillah.

No much more to say but the pictures will make the talk...sorry just tired from a day out at the farm!

So for now jazakallahu kheiran to all of you, dear readers! I was overwhelmed by all the lovely emails I received. I was not aware that I had so many readers, mash'Allah wa hamdulillah.

Wa alaykum assalam

x

We are going private!

2009-07-21T15:57:00.005+01:00

Assalamu alaykum
after much thoughts, I have decided to restrict this blog. Sometime things that happens in your life makes you wake up. Nought happens for no reasons...
So we are closing down...if you do still want to follow our adventure in home education please drop me a line and remember to state 'Blog reader' in the subject, otherwise I won't be opening your email.
This blog will be open to all for a further week or so, just to give you all the time to catch up with it.
Jazakallahu kheiran
wa alaykum assalam
x

Just pics...

2009-07-14T20:44:00.007+01:00

Assalamu alaykum

I have been not too well lately and decided to stop homeschooling and start our holidays. I thought to homeschool the boys throughout the summer but I had to stop 'cause of my health. I would have to slow down anyway as the boys will be busy with the free courses I registered them to. Hamdulillah and certainly Allah is the best Planner, la hawla wa la quwwata illah billah!!

So here are some pics of our past week or so. Hope you like them.

And for now happy summer holidays to you all.

Wa alaykum assalam

Last on the right. S art work

Canary Wharf Building
Watching a hockey game

Trying out a new sport

A. 99 names of Allah rocket

S. rocket

A. wrote a book for kids ages 3-4 about Tawheed

Leaflet about Tawheed for non Muslims made by A.

S. poster about Tawheed 'Who created us?' 'Who created everything?'

A new visit down the sea

Finally a sandy beach

Lots to do...

2009-07-03T04:17:00.000+01:00

...but so little time!!
Assalamu alaykum
summer just started and as promised the free courses and sport events are out! So much to choose from. This year looks even bigger and better than any other year! Mash'Allah.
So I took advantage of those great free courses once again and registered both boys to some maths, literacy, science, fencing, tennis, cricket, art and craft club and much more!!! Insh'Allah.
This year, above all, I am so interested about what the Muslim Community has to offer for our youngsters and small ones. I found some excellent resources and I am sure so many kids won't be bored at home, stuck in front of telly! Mash'Allah there is lots to choose from: from Islamic science to the Seerah, from Quranic classes to Nasheeds workshops! There is bound to be something out there for your kids,insh'Allah.

Back to us...
The past week I have home educated the kids for 3 days mash'Allah. I was hoping to stay indoors for 4 days but the weather was irresistible!! Mash'Allah!
Saturday A. gave a miss to the Saturday school and we ended up having a picnic at the park.
Sunday the boys were at wrestling all day while me and baby attended a janaza prayer at the masjid. May Allah have mercy on my dear friend/sister.Amin.
On Monday we re-started homeschooling.We carried on with Calvert curriculum for A. . Just few more lessons and we are finished for this year. I am really hoping to finish before the end of July insh'Allah but I don't think we will.
S. carried on with mindsprinting for literacy and numeracy. But he used enchanted learning and parents in touch for science.
Monday the boys attended swimming and had their tests. Looks like they passed, mash'Allah. I am just awaiting for their certificates and new badges.Insh'Allah.

This week was also the start of our new Islamic curriculum. I am so pleased with it and I cannot tell you how much my kids have enjoyed so far.
We started to talk about Tawheed. I wanted the boys to re-start afresh with Islamic Studies and go back to basic.
We made a poster and wrote about the categories of Tawheed:
Tawheedur-Ruboobiyyah: Maintaining Oneness of the Lordship of Allaah
Tawheedul-Uloohiyyah: Maintaining Oneness of the Worship of Allaah
Tawheedul-Asma was-Sifaat: Maintaining Oneness of the Names (Asma) and the Qualities/Attributes (Sifaat) of Allaah
We studied Tawheed Ar-Ruboobeeyah and Tawheed Al Uloohiyah in depth and produced some nice work. Kids listened to this lecture prior to start the lesson about Tawheed.
The kids worked on two main projects: it was a story book for A. He had to write down a story for children of 3-4 years about Tawheed Ar-Ruboobeyah. He wrote a story of two children that while enjoying in the park wondered about Allah's creation and ask questions about who created this and that. Mash'Allah. He completed his work adding colourful pictures to his booklet and a hard back.
S. worked on a mobile made out of paper clips and straws. He attached to each paper clip a cloud. In each cloud he wrote about Tawheed ar-Ruboobeyah answering questions such as 'Who is my Creator?' 'What does Rabb means?' ' Name three small things Allah made' etc. Mash'Allah.
This Islamic Curriculum is really one of the best for us as it uses very nice and inexpensive resources, mostly free from the Internet. Hamdulillah! I would recommend it to all. (see my previous entry for more details about Tailor Made curriculum).

Thursday we attended the usual meeting with other homeschoolers...there weren't many this week. Where were you all???? I bet the weather was far too out for the kids!!
My boys really wanted to go so I made an extra special effort to take myself down the park without the car! And the bus was crowded and hot!!!!Kids complained all the way...hamdulilah.

Also this week, art and craft club for S. He mastered a new technique using paint and cotton buds. Mash'Allah. We reproduced same technique at home and decorated some paper plates.

What's more?
-There was a visit to the Natural History Museum to learn about mammals and to the Investigate Centre;
-Qur'an and Arabic was on as usual;
-Learning the stories of the Caliphs from a audio CD from Islamic Foundation. Really nicely made and A. really like to put it on in the evening before listening to the Qur'an. It's a bit like bed time story, mash'Allah.
-Boys received new Islamic books mash'Allah. Some great titles there such as 'Qur'an stories', 'Parents love', 'Ramadan is coming', 'The story of Yusuf (as)' and I was impressed by one in particular. It is called 'Let's go Dua catching'. A really sweet story with very nice pictures. A different Islamic book from the rest.Mash'Allah.

More about this week in our pics...it's 4.15am and mash'Allah dawn is here...such a beautiful time of the day...I am going to catch some blessings insh'Allah!

Happy home edu to all! x

Bubbles: a classic of summer!

Thursday Group!

Baby at the Thursday group.

Some more pics of the park we do attend on Thursdays

Foam puzzle, learning about continents. £1 from Poundland

Learning about the Human body in English and French.

Baby's art attack!

New arty technique

Painting with cotton buds

A.'s painting his paper plate

Baby and his friends: ducky and eeyore.

Learning about Art very fast, mash'Allah.

The mobile S. made about Tawheed Ar-Ruboobeya.

It's the one with the clouds!

A close-up of one cloud. it says: Allah is my creator.

Lavender blooming in my garden

Some really nice flowers I forgot kids planted in Spring

And our veggies...cherry tomatoes

Dwarf beans

Some freshly made mint tea after dinner...

better drank in the garden.

A collection of 5 books, great value for money and great titles.

' Let's go dua catching'

At the Investigate centre, Natural History Museum

baby's learning too.

A.'s writing about his findings

A 3 mt. long snake skin (python)

S.'s using the computer in the centre

The Investigate centre

Summer is here!

2009-06-25T22:53:00.008+01:00

Assalamu alaykum, summer is here!!! Such a special time of the year and this year is even more special!! Ramadan will be starting soon. Here the kids cannot wait...they are looking forward to the atmosphere and peace of such a blessed Month!!!
I am too getting ready for it, I know it's late, not really an example taken from our predecessors...Ya Allah!
We have the summer all sorted, insh'Allah and Allah is the Best Planner!! A. will be attending summer schools and learn some more literacy and numeracy, ICT and Maths and finally gardening. Insh'Allah. S. will be at a summer play scheme in the local leisure centre. Both kids will then join the local leisure centres for some fencing and archery. I cannot wait!! And the best bit? It's all for free!!! Mash'Allah.

Back to our past week.
We have been homeschooling 4 days, mash'Allah. Trying our out most to finish Calvert on time. Mindsprinting and Calvert will be put down by the end of July so I hope by then to have the kids completed all the required lessons. Insh'Allah.
So what have we been up to?
Art and Craft was on. We painted glass jars with the same paint-markers we used for the tiles. Kids painted two big jars for the biscuits. And three glasses that we now use as candle holders.
Also this week S. brought back home his clay pieces he made 2 weeks ago at the Art and Craft Club. Mash'Allah he was so happy with himself and showed the pieces around to his friends!

Qur'an and Arabic was on. The tajweed is getting along mash'Allah and the tutor seems happy with the boys. They are now approaching the last few verses of Juzz 'Amma.
Although they already know all the 30th part of the Qur'an by heart, mash'Allah, this time around they are more confident because they know their Tajweed rules and can actually reading the surahs rather than repeating them.Mash'Allah tabarak'Allah! It's a long process to teach kids tajweed rules, but I felt it is for the best as only Hifdh cannot replace reading Qur'anic Arabic.

Also to implement their understanding of Qur'an,we carried on using the tafseer booklets from the ad-Duha institute, hamdulillah. I find that kids can benefit much more by understanding the stories behind each surah.
I have also ordered two guides from Tailor Made Educational Guides. Mash'Allah I have received them both in record time and I couldn't believe myself!! They are fantastic! I have asked them to tailor two guides in Islamic studies for my boys concentrating more on the lives of the Companions and Tawheed. I am so pleased with the guides and we have started using them right away. Mash'Allah! Prices are very competitive and the resources are based on authentic sources. They don't do only Islamic Studies.
Here it's what they do.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asalamuu ‘aalaykum,
Are you a Home Educator who wants to provide your children with a fun education, specific to their own interests and needs? Do you want your children to learn the ‘traditional’ subjects but in a fun way related to their hobbies? Are you a parent who is unhappy with the ‘boxed in’ approach within your children’s school and wish to provide a supplement at home to your child’s education that they will enjoy? Are you a parent who not only values the education of your children but also is passionate about them excelling in their unique interests? Are you a teacher who works in a private school and needs help with planning for your unique students?
If you have answered YES to any of the above questions, then I am excited to announce something that will insha’Allah meet your needs, more importantly your children’s needs and will give you more time to enjoy educating your children. My name is Umm ‘Adbullah and I would like to introduce you to Tailor Made Educational Guides.
All praise is due to Allah, we are a small group of sisters who have led careers as teachers. Some of us left the ‘traditional’ teaching path and are now home educating our children. We provide a service whereby the parent, home educator or teacher contacts us with the interests, strengths and weaknesses of the child. A tailor made educational guide is then produced specifically for that child. We take into account the hobbies of the child, what they absolutely HATE doing, and what they LOVE to do.
One of our recent customers was a homeschooling mother. Her youngest child, aged 5 loves insects and reptiles, hates writing and loves maths. We took this into consideration and produced a 6 month guide whereby he pursued his love of insects and reptiles (with integrated Islamic Studies), enjoyed the fact that there was a lot of ‘insect and reptile maths’ and we created ways in which he could practice on his writing skills without realising he was actually doing so. In the end, a happy mother and child.
We have a range of guides to suit you:
* 1 YEAR CURRICULUM
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The process is as follows: – You contacts us with your requirement. We then email you a questionnaire which will enable us to create a tailor made curriculum for your child. – You choose a GOLD, SILVER or BRONZE option and within an agreed time frame, you receive your educational guide.
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We specialize in Islamic Studies as well as integrating Islamic Studies into your child’s hobby-based guide.
The benefits of this option:
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We are in the process of setting up our website, but in the meantime, if you would like to take benefit of our services and to request a quote, you may contacts us on tailormadeeducationalguides@hotmail.co.uk
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What's more?
-Lots of picnics and visits to the park. One more visit to 'Discover' but opted to stay outdoors in their front garden.
-Wrestling;
-Swimming;
-Saturday Supplementary school for A.;
-Gardening and eating 'al fresco'!
Hamdulillah!

wa alaykum assalam
happy weekend and a very good home education week to all!

Tiles anyone? Or maybe some potatoes?

2009-06-17T21:15:00.006+01:00

Assalamu alaykum,

I am feeling quite relaxed this evening.My exams are almost over, two down and one to go! I did well and so far I received only one of the two exams outcome and I passed! Mash'Allah wa hamdulillah!

So this evening, after a long day in central London sitting in a big hall with lots of other students, I decided to sit and rest a bit. Just browsing around and catching up with others' blogs and forums. Kids are in bed reading their books. Baby is fast asleep and the house is quite! Just what my brain and body need right now.

This week has been a very hectic one for me and family all. My preparation to the exams took all my time and that meant little homeschooling and lots of fun for the kids! Not much fun for me that I took my course books literally every where we went!

Following are some of the activities in pics.

So now all I have to do is 'the List':

-kids attended a workshop in the British Museum about Islamic tiling and produced some nice tiles, hubby joined too for the first time!;

-We took our potatoes out the ground and made a nice summer salad with them, really delicious!;

-one more picnic in Regents Park, kids enjoyed the weather in the playground.

Quran and Arabic was on as usual and we carried on using the tafseer booklets. We are also re-reading the stories of the prophets and S. is joining in with Qs. and As. quiz.

Swimming and wrestling has carried on as normal and soon they will have an exam to check their abilities in both sport. A new tournament is on the horizon...

For now it's about it! Happy home education to all and enjoy the weather! :)

Great weather for a picnic

Kids tiles up on their bedroom wall
Some more tiles from other children and adults too ;)
A.'s tiles, before you ask the red one are roses not hearts
and the blue dots are not baloons but leaves!

S.'s tiles some flowers and leaves

In the process...

Almost there...

Summer salad with freshly produced, home made potatoes Freshly out the ground

In the end we took the potatoes out!

A Photographic update of our week!

2009-06-11T18:03:00.006+01:00

Assalamu alaykum
just a photographic update to cut time but keep on top of the blog!! LOL!

Snails have been eating up all our beans plants

Just one survived and mash'Allah look the small beans

Cherry tomatoes are growing nicely

A.'s plants growing fine

More pics of A.'s flowers

Potatoes, is it time to take them out???

Kids built a masjid with their new found love for woody toys

S. new mini book

And a massive pyramid made out Lego

Yum, yum, Baked Aubergines, S. helped with the dish

New found love for cooking. S.

Magnetic tiles, decorated by S.

A.'s learning Cross stitching

Decorating the bathroom tiles with Bath crayons

We have all learnt something new!

2009-06-06T21:00:00.004+01:00

Assalamu alaykum,

one more week of great activities have passed by so quickly.

I am so late in updating this blog just really busy up to my eyes with study and homeschooling!

So here it goes 'The List'!

-Monday to Wednesday: home schooled the kids. Monday afternoon:Swimming and Tuesday afternoon:Art and Craft Club! S. learnt a bit about pottery and made his first tile and a small cup with clay. Wednesday afternoon: we spent our time in the library enjoying books and a reading session in a small group of children.

-Thursday:we attended the weekly homeschooling meeting at the park. While there, I ended up sitting with a dear ukhti that taught me how to knit!!! I couldn't believe it, me?Knitting? My mum and sister are shocked and wanted the proof of me knitting. I had to take some pics!! Thursday: afternoon I sat with my knitting needles and started my first, very own project! Don't yet what it is. It could be anything, from a scarf to a purse, to a very large bag!! But it's pink that's for certain!

-Friday: we went to 'Discover' in Stratford and learnt all about pirates. They had set up a pirate theme and there was so much to learn and do!

- Saturday: A. attended the supplementary school and enjoyed ICT and English. We spent the afternoon indoor with me studying and kids watching documentaries and science experiments on TV.

Qur'an and Arabic was on as usual. We have carried on using the tafsir booklets from ad-duha institute. Now that the kids can read much better Arabic I'd like to introduce some fiction books in Arabic. I visited this website and it looks great!

Just a bit about the baby. He is talking a lot lately and love reading Qur'an with his brothers. He also enjoying books and salah with his papa! Mash'Allah!

Well, I better go back to my molecules before I get too caught up here...happy home education to all!

wa alaykum assalam

The 'half term'!

2009-05-29T16:27:00.007+01:00

Assalamu alaykum,

the half term is almost over and to be honest for the first time I was happy to be out and about with my boys.

We had a surprise visit from my sister and the kids were so happy to spend some time with her. With my great pleasure, the kids have improved their italian and now can understand much more and reply little in italian.

The past week has been a busy one but very, very pleasant!!

So here it goes the non-so-usual 'unusual list' :) :

-Monday to Friday: A. has been at one of the many free courses organized by my borough. This half term he chose 'African Art'. A great way to learn about Africa!

-Tuesday: Kids attended a workshop at the Chadwell Heath Police Station. They learnt about the work of the police, safety and much more. They even got to hold real handcuffs and sat on a police car!

-Friday: we visited the local farm and mash'Allah the sun was out and all the farm animals were about. S. really like the farm. We bought some fresh eggs and honey freshly produced. My sister decided to make some tiramisu'! I am so looking forward to eat it after years!!

Qur'an and Arabic has been on as usual. Kids are still revising the Juzz 'Amma. The tutor was surpised to see my little 5 years old reading all the 30th part of the Qur'an. Mash'Allah. They are now working through more tajweed rules. Hamdulillah.

I started a small tafsir class with my boys. Every evening we read one small surah and then read the tafsir together. We are using a small collection of booklets from Ad-Duha institute .

I need to keep my post short and sweet as I am busy with studying...I can only pause a bit for some tiramisu' and a freshly made cup of cappuccino! :P

Happy home education to all!!

wa alaykum assalam

Tiramisu'!!

A. and S. afternoon in colourland

African mask and Certificate of Achievement

Painting in canvas made by A.

It means 'Be Happy and feel important'

At the farm

Baby S. loves reading

...And now for the movie, excuse me, movies you have been waiting for!!

2009-05-21T19:36:00.007+01:00

Assalamu alaykum all,
finally the movies the kids have been working on, are ready!! Since time is a big constrain for me at present, my exams for my final year in Health and Social Care are around the corner, I won't be having time to update this blog as usually.
But here it is a list of what we have been up to in the last 5 days:
-Calvert for A. In English he is learning about homophone, alliteration and contractions. In Maths, he is learning about hundreds, thousands etc and <,>,= and lots of problems solving.
In Science he has really enjoyed the magnets and finished that Unit in great style recording all his experiments in his science journal.He is currently learning about animals living in the great canyon. Very interesting, especially as he loves wild animals.
In History he is now doing the American Presidents and what it means to be a good citizen.He started off with President Kennedy.
In Islamic Studies he is studying about Prophet Muhammad (sallahu alayhe wa sallam) again but concentrating more on the history side including the battles, hijra and the companions.
-With S. we have been carrying on with mindsprinting.com. He is now doing additions and subtraction. He can read books on his own geared for his age. Completed lots of worksheets with long sound vowels and short ones. Also consonant clusters e.g. fr, dr, cr, tr, cl, fl, pl etc. S. has enjoyed a full week of art&crafts not just at the weekly club but also at home. He produced some nice butterflies, dragonflies, airplanes and lots more.
He also completed two mini books. One about butterflies and one about summer. Mash'Allah. -Arabic and Qur'an as usual, hamdulillah.
-Thursday meet ups with other homeschoolers happened this week. Hamdulillah missed all the sisters a lot!! Happy to be back!
-And finally we worked on our new passion: movies!!! And here they are!

Enjoy the weather and happy home edu to all!
wa alaykum assalam Ayesha

PS: tried to upload S. video but i couldn't. And the PC freeze. Will try again tomorrow insh'Allah.

A. tried out some Greek ionic columns with LEGO, of course! ;)

A. said this is the Roman Emperor Villa. Looks a bit too busy and

the walls are not exactly what you would expect to find

in a Roman villa :/

Ancient Greece lapbook cover

Lapbook inside

Timeline

Wooden horse and a Greek vase with a scene of fighting.

If only you could read what A. wrote next to it.

S. little lapbook about butterflies

The life cycle of a butterfly and

The very Hungry Caterpillar story

It's all about lepidopterans!

2009-05-16T22:20:00.010+01:00

Assalamu alaykum,
I am a bit earlier than usual updating the blog. It's just I have a bit of 'spare time'...oops I shouldn't say so! If my tutor reads this...

Back to us. What have we been learning these past few days?
Monday and Wednesday we have been learning with Calvert and midsprinting as usual. Mash'Allah S. surprises me every time he opens a book. He is really reading properly now. And his writing is getting better and better. I can dictate words to him and he writes them nicely and I must say his calligraphy is really neat. Mash'Allah tabark'Allah.
A. was less 'productive' this week and fell behind. In fact he has been thinking about the cartoon movie since we went to the Museum for the Wallace and Gromit exhibition. Unfortunately we were so busy with other things that we couldn't start on the movie project yet. Insh'Allah soon. In the meantime A. has finished the little figures (no eyes!) and their living room and bedroom. Really cute! Mash'Allah. He even added some homely touches such as a plant, a rug, a cup of tea and a cake for one of the figure sitting on a sofa. And also a bowl of fruits, a closed book on a small table and a throw and some cushions for the bed!

Talking of inventions, A. finished his 'Inventions and Inventors' lapbook and enter a competition on the Wallace and Gromit website . I cannot say what he invented just yet as there is a copyright and hopefully a patent pending on the drawing and we are just waiting to hear in October (long way ahead!) to see if his inventions could enter the winners list. I can only say that it is a very useful item we all would love to have, specially those busy homeschoolers out there!

On Tuesday I was at the doctor yet again. My little toe is not back as normal and the bone still out of place. Such a little thing but so painful! I will have to go to hospital yet again for further investigation and most probably an operation. Ya Allah! Make duas for me please.

Tuesday afternoon we were at the Art and Craft Club and S. learnt how to draw butterflies. He made one really colourful and very big. I believe they used oil crayon. Maybe sister U. could confirm this to me.

On Thursday morning was busy and left the kids entertained themselves with the Quraish game (pc cd-rom). They were so quite, witnesses can confirm this. ;)

On Friday we were, yet again, at the Natural Museum. We went to see the butterfly exhibition and one more visit to the Dinos as the sister who was with us never visited the Museum. The butterfly exhibition was really nice. This is the second year we attended and mash'Allah every year we learn something new. We made a search engine to find more info about some butterflies namely brimstone, swallowtail and peacock and also visited the nature detective website to enter the competition. The boys chose the swallotail and the brimstone butterflies.

Saturday (today) A. was at his supplementary school and enjoyed hockey, tennis, French, art, and literacy! Mash'Allah!! In the last few months he performs so many different sports e.g. tennis, tennis table, badminton, rock climbing, hockey, gymnastics and football. He could also benefit fully from the school resources such as ICT , French and the science lab.

Qur'an and Arabic was on as usual. The kids can now read nicely and knows most of the tajweed rules. They are still reading slowly and most of the time need to read with spelling but the tutor is confident. I feel helpless and I wish I could do more. Ya Allah increase me in knowledge. Amin.

Last but not least:

-The Greeks are leaving us and it was about time!! :) ;

-One more lapbook is on the way, soon to be revealed the theme.

Have a nice weekend and an happy beginning of the week to all!

wa alaykum assalam

x

S. butterfly. He used glitter for the butterfly's eyes (circle shapes)

and for the body. The rest is foam mosaic and crayons.

A. butterfly. He used foam mosaic, glitter and crayons.
S. butterfly from the art and craft club. I believe he used
oil crayons.

Cracking ideas free resource pack

At the exhibition, free playground for my mini beasts.

S. is holding a butterfly

Blue butterfly

Bird of paradise flower

Painted lady Butterfly

Buckeye butterfly

Red Hibiscus

No butterflies! Just some little, cute and I bet delicious cakes in a very

posh shop!

Finished S. lapbook about Safety Tips.

Greek Mask used in a Theatre (tragedy)

The plasticine house, rug, table with fruit bowl and a closed book.

On the back a lamp, a man sitting with a newspaper.

The complete house with living room and bedroom.

Inventions and Inventors!

2009-05-11T14:43:00.012+01:00

Assalamu alaykum and hello to all my readers,
one more week of busy 'schooling' has passed.

Last time I wrote it was on Sunday 3 May. Time's flying and soon summer will be upon us. Time to rest but also for my exams which I am already dreading. I need all your duas, please.

So what have we been learning?

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday I schooled the boys as usual using Calvert and mindsprinting. But also enchantedlearning.com and homeschoolshare.com

A. is reaching lesson 120 now and soon we will be saying goodbye to Calvert :( He has also been busy with his new lapbook 'Ancient Greek'. This time we are taking more time to complete the booklet as we have many resources to go through. I bought some great booklets at the British Museum full of activities and resources, mash'Allah. Also time has been an issue, as always and we have not worked on the booklet everyday as planned. Hamdulillah.

To top it all up A. switched his attention to yet one more project: 'Inventions and Inventors'. triggered by a visit to the Science Museum, Wallace and Gromit, a world of cracking ideas!

So one more lapbook is on its way, a very short booklet this time but full of fun things to make and do and lots to search and learn on the net about inventors and inventions. Did you know who invented the post-it note? And the Velcro? Really interesting!

Further to our visit, A. decided to learn how cartoon animations such as Wallace and Gromit have been created. So he got busy making his own 'cartoons' with plasticine and he took pics and now he wants put it all into a movie. A long process and to be honest I don't know where to start so if any homeschoolers and non, out there has any ideas please do share. Jazakallahu.

We also paid one more visit to the British Museum to enjoy the exhibition about Ancient Greece. This time around we have not enjoyed it as previously for so many reasons. Hamdulilah. When we arrived at the Museum, we found a picture of Shah 'Abbas on the floor. Some local artists painted many A4 papers and added them together like a mosaic to construct the face and body of Shah 'Abbas. Now all was fine until we got closer and found that one picture had the name of Allah on it. The picture was laid on the bare floor. Now, why on earth would you put the name of God/Allah on the floor????

I was really upset and made a complain. They quickly removed the paper. Still I am out of words since everybody by now should know how much importance we give to our deen.

The exhibition in itself was not as good as we expected and we couldn't access some of the rooms because there was not a lift available! I felt so discriminated against just because I was with the pushchair.

And then? S. got lost and I had the worse 30 minutes of my entire life. Hamdulillah a security guard found him and we were re-united.

We left the Museum annoyed, tired and upset!! Not a nice start of the day. I thought to make it better and head towards Covent Garden, one of my favourite place in central London.

Hamdulillah the day was warm and we enjoyed the long walk down to Covent Garden market.

The bad experience at the Museum gave me an opportunity to talk to S. about safety and we started a lapbook about safety based on the book 'Gloria and Officer Buckle'. This story is included in one of the reading book from Calvert. We used this website to help us with the lapbook. I need to say jazakillah to sister Umm R. for suggesting this over to IHSAN forum.

What's more? Felting! Lots of felting. This time we tried to make a mat. We started with a very long rectangular shape and very tick consistency. We started at around 5pm, one afternoon. At 7.30pm when hubby was at home we were still rolling the mat!!

The result was a very soft but tick mat which my son is using it for his Lego city. Mash'Allah. Next time I know I will need more wool if I want to make a longer mat. Insh'Allah. You wouldn't believe how much the wool can shrink!?

Sports and other activities were on as usual but once more we missed the Thursday meet ups at the park with the other homeschoolers. This time we didn't have the car :( Kids really missing their friends there and I miss the sisters too. I know sisters have been asking about us, jazakallahu kheiran. Insh'Allah we will be attending again soon.

Qur'an and Arabic is now on 3 times a week and kids have carried on reading the Juzz 'Amma, just revising really and reinforcing their Arabic reading skills. Mash'Allah. The tutor asked them to revise often at home. I am finding hard to follow their progress as my reading skills are now rusty and I need to exercise first.

I am looking for a valid Arabic course for them but I don't want to spend a fortune and then find myself that I cannot help them because of my lack of knowledge in Arabic. What would you suggest? I may even consider leaving UK for a while to be within Arabs speakers, but where to? What would you suggest?
Lots to ponder and think over before taking any rushy decision.

Love and duas to all.
wa alaykum assalam

working with plasticine

Mum safety tip #10

Officer Buckle and Gloria book

S.lapbook about safety tips based on

Officer Buckle and Gloria book

Some more safety tips

Day out at the lake

Walking through the woods

At the exhibition

Making it work!

A giant bath tub complete with bubbles

and colourful ducks

Water energy

A scene from the latest cartoon of Wallace and Gromit

The soft play area

How the hoover have changed over the years.

My mum had the one standing, very heavy and not so practical.

Old TV!

Old style fun!

One more scene of the cartoon

Weather-hats machine... funky invention

Wellies anyone? From dark age to a more familiar pair

The entrance to the exhibition

Love it!

in Covent Garden we found some having a pj's. party.

Jumping on a massive bed!

It says it all!

Cool.

The mosaic about Shah 'Abbas

Ancient Greek's vases

The acropolis, a small temple

Earlier version of the vases

One side of the soft merino wool mat we made

And the other side.

Rolling the mat, hard work. My arms are more tonic now...strange :)

Just starting off with the design, dry wool.

Below:the actual size of the mat before shrinkage

The picnic season is here, some more felting and a finished project!

2009-05-03T18:25:00.015+01:00

Assalamu alaykum,

the season for picnics is back and we do enjoy a lot to be out in the sun, eating some nice home cooked food and enjoy Allah's creation!

It reminds me of my childhood. We used to camp out during summer and enjoy the mountains and valleys. My mum always cooked food at home and brought big dishes of lasagna, pasta salads, stuffed peppers, pizza, pastries and various salads including fresh watermelon! Basically it was not a picnic, but you would be eating out in great style :)

In London, you cannot fully enjoy Allah's creation and be in contact with everything that is natural and that is so important for me for obvious reasons. Let's just say that I would rather be living in a big farm surrounded by green valleys! I am just dreaming now...

I would love for my kids to enjoy the great outdoors as much as I do, but I don't think they fully appreciate it.

Nevertheless it has been a week of picnics. We had time to spend some good quality time together as a family, finally after months of being apart. Hamdulillah.

Of course homeschooling was on as usual. We haven't just been out, stuffing ourselves :))

Kids have followed through with their programmes:Calvert and mindsprinting. And they carried on with their Qur'an and Arabic lessons daily. Hamdulillah.

A. finished his lapbook about Prophet Muhammad (sallahu alyhe wa sallam) and we are currently reading the story of the first caliph, Abu Bakr Siddique (ra) as a carry on for our Islamic History lapbooks collection.

S. made a mini lapbook about shapes and colours.A really simple approach to lapbooks, just as I realized he couldn't finish a big project, see Arabic words and letters lapbooks still incomplete.Hamdulillah!

Sports and other activities such as the art and craft club were on but we did not attend the Thursday meet up as I was recovering from my usual back pain. Hamdulillah.

There is so much more I should write but at this moment things are coming up all muddled up and I cannot put them in order. In fact this post looks more like a list of events!

So to carry on with the list:
-visit to Hastings and the bluereef aquarium;
-felting. Mash'Allah we are doing great! It's hard work, lots of rubbing and rolling but enjoyable;
-picnic with friends at the Lady Diana Memorial Playground on a very hot, sunny Friday. We had such great fun and ended up with 3 big ice-creams offered by a lovely Italian lady at the nearby cafe'. Thanks again!;
-Art in the back yard! Kids coloured with chalks the back garden including walls, shed, floor etc;
-Our vegetable patch (pots!:) Veggies and potatoes are growing very nicely.

And now the for the pics.
wa alaykum assalam
x

A square placemat with two flowers.

A long, rectangular shape table runner.

The complete table runner

The bluereef aquarium, walking under the sharks!

Look up!

Dori!!!

Of course, Nemo

Starfish

Stony beach and further down a patch of sand, wow!!

What a view!

Arriving in Hastings early morning

Hastings Historic centre

A nice drive around the English countryside

Our dwarf beans

Cherry Tomatoes, need a bigger and deeper pot!

And look at the potatoes!

Being arty!

Chalk-ing the shed...

...and the pavement

finally some real sand

Baby S. in the boat

Pirate ship

Baby S. enjoyed the water feature

Some cool shed

Indian tents

A. made this spring picture

Islamic Art

Part of Prophet Muhammad (saw) lapbook

Some more on Islamic Art and below the finished lapbook!

My new project, the Romans and pondering over...

2009-04-27T15:04:00.011+01:00

Assalamu alaykum,

finally the Romans lapbook has been completed! A real adventure in the past. A. and S. have both joined in and travelled back into the past to read about the Romans!

A new project was already on its way: Prophet Muhammad (sallahu alayhe wa sallam) and we are still working on it. Just found some great links here.

The past week has been quite for what concern our usual routine, mainly due to the fact that sport activities and more are back on. Things like swimming, the art and craft club and the Thursday get together with the other homeschooling sisters was off during the half term. But now we are back to the usual 3 days in and 3 days out! We homeschooled 3 days using Calvert and mindsprinting.com. I have also downloaded booklets from enchantedlearning.com for S. about shapes, short sounds vowels and sorting objects into colours, shapes or categories.

A. went back to the Saturday school with much pleasure and he was happy to come back home after a science lesson where they talked about the force of gravity and things that float or fly and made some paper planes, does it remind you of anything?

S. was busy with his shopping list all week and he has been writing a lot in his little pad. Mash'Allah. Reading is getting along very well and I had to buy a new set of books geared for his age. He also enjoyed his second lesson in the art and craft club where he learnt how to use the charcoal pencils. They are learning about lines and used paint as well as different shapes to show the different lines.

Qur'an and Arabic as been going on as usual, 6 days a week. A. and S. are revising the Juzz Amma and carried on with Surah Al Baqara. Mash'Allah. Lots of reading in Arabic and a bit writing for S.

No much to share this week, but I had lot of time to ponder over my boys education, specially after an email from a dear ukhti who will be starting, insh'Allah, home education soon.

I have been thinking about my worries and concerns over my boys' education. I was asked if with experience in homeschooling, worries and concerns goes away. I didn't have to think hard over this very question and the answer in my opinion and experience is no. We never stop worrying about our kids' education and worries and concerns are a good thing because they renew our approach to homeschooling and make us to better! We need to have those very feelings at the back of our mind to perform better because if we were to approach life with light heart we would certainly forget about our responsibilities as mothers but even more as servants of Allah!

For now it's all but enjoy the pics of the week. I am off to write some more in my new blog, a small project set up with some lovely Italian sisters for dawah purpose. May Allah put his barakah in this new adventure and reward the sisters who are contributing for its success.Amin.

Mamma mia!!! The Romans!!!

Painting the shields

Painting the sword
the instruction booklet

Fun at the park!

Pic nic day with a dear friend. Beautiful flowers!

The water clock used by the Romans. Well not quite like it!

But it works. A 4 minutes water clock.

Well after 4 minutes let's just say you can use the modern technology!

The kids uses to wash their teeth for the 2 minutes rule!

finally the lapbook! I am really happy with the result!

Some more on the lapbook! The mosaic were a big hit

and the kids learnt more about patterns.

A Roman fortress

Painting the walls

Roman numbers stencils

One more activity book to complement our studies

It's just the beginning, insh'Allah

2009-04-22T23:20:00.000+01:00

Assalamu alaykum,

one more week of home education has gone. It has been a quick and easy week, very enjoyable and with the sun out there is a renew wish of being out there!

But...we have been mainly indoors due to the half term. I don't like half term, too many kids out and about, traffic and shops are always full.

From Monday kids are back to school and the sun is out again. Time to be out? Not yet!! We had so many other things keeping us indoors!

A. had a full 5 days Calvert. We are catching up for all the days of Ramadan we didn't do 'schooling' and for some other weeks when the sun was too nice to resist...cheeky!! :))

Let's see what A. produced in the last 5 days.In English he had lot to write; two compositions and a dictation. His spelling is getting better and better. Calvert has a really strong curriculum when it comes down to writing and reading. Just what I need for A.

The use of the dictionary has continue and many of the words found where not in my 'small' English vocabulary too...I still have lots to learn and a reminder that English is not my mother-tongue.

In Maths he finished the section about measuring. He learnt how to measure using a yard stick, a measuring tape using both imperial and metric scale. He also learnt how to measure liquids in pints and litres. And finally to measures weights in kg and pounds.

In Science, he completed the worksheets related to the last section about ramps and lever. Started a new topic: magnets! We made couple of nice experiments with the magnets kit we bought last year at the Science Museum. A. was so interested to know how the Maglev train works. I remember we had a book about trains when we did the 'All About Trains' lapbook. So we took that out and read it all about.

In History, this time he looked at conflicts resolution the birth of the Olympic games and the role of the UN (United Nations).

We have been using the CT booklet (Critical Thinking) again. The new chapter is about 'facts and opinions'. He had it to read a story and then divided into two columns marked 'facts' and 'opinions'. A good exercise to understand what's a fact and what's an opinion.

With A. we started a new project, another big one. This time is about Prophet Muhammad (sallahu alayhe wa sallam). We are still working on the 'Ancient Romans' but A. insisted we start on Prophet Muhammad (sallahu alayhe wa sallam). He was watching Sultan Fatih on DVD and wanted to learn about fort and fortresses and asked thousands of questions...we ended up talking about the battles at the time of the Prophet Muhammad (sallahu alayhe wa sallam) and watched the DVD related to it.

So a new lapbook it's on its way! But I have already 'warned' A, it will take weeks before we finish both works, so no more wondering about 'what's next project?'

Quran and Arabic as usual. Still in Surah Al Baqara making little progress each day, mash'Allah.

S. is getting along very well with mindsprinting. I am also using a bit of parentsintouch.com worksheets and finally I got around getting my membership renew with enchantedlearning.com! I am so happy I did as their resources are great and best of all, most of them, are in black and white, just what you need when you print so much like we do.

In English S. has been reading and writing a lot. He can now write almost all my shopping list and he goes around with a little pad in his hands pretending to write all that we say and do: a little bit too ambitious!! But well done anyway!

In Maths he carried on with tens, ones, hundrends, thousands...a bit boring really. I think mindsprinting sometime get stuck on a topic for weeks and unless you don't want to fall asleep, it's better to jump over those lessons and get on with the rest of the curriculum! So I swapped mindsprinting for Schofield&Simms books for additions and subtractions, just to get things moving a bit, a change of scenery after weeks of hundreds, tens, ones...

S. started his weekly art&craft club. He came out his first lesson running happily. He quickly told me all about his new passion lines! He has been learning about lines, curved, straight, zigzag etc and he was so excited to show his big folder and his arty works. Jazakillah to sister U. for making this possible!

Qur'an and Arabic as usual for S. too and guess what? He has reached his older brother! He just started Surah Al Baqara! Mash'Allah we are all so proud of him. The teacher is always full of praise. Mash'Allah.

I would need to write down so much more about our week. It has been full week and now that kids are back to sports activities and their clubs it will be difficult to keep this blog update so bear with me if you don't see me around.

Taking up a new hobby, a new project and gardening!

2009-04-15T18:16:00.007+01:00

Assalamu alaykum,

I was brought up in a house where I was surrounded by crafty people. My dad was exceptionally good in making anything out of woods, metal and any other good material. He could transform a woody board into a crib and he did!! My little brother slept in one of my dad's creation when he was born!

He was really good in gardening too and made lots of different items for the garden: chairs and a table, a small shed for the tools and even a bird feeder!

My mum on the other loved sewing and made great dresses for me and my sister. She enjoyed knitting and crocheting too. They all did something they enjoyed and produced really nice pieces.I remembered sitting with my granny, long hours in the afternoon;she showed how to crochet little granny squares. I was not too inspired by it but I did as i loved my granny and wanted to make her happy. My mum still knitting my baby's blankets ( a collection of blankets I shoul say!) and crocheting little hats.

My sister started knitting years ago and she said she gain pleasure by doing so. She produces lovely scarves for winter and hats and made a quilt using granny squares! Sorry I don't know all the proper technical words to use here.

I was never interested in any of those hobbies. Even when years ago a sister proposed to teach me sewing, I was not too happy to start. And in fact I never did!

I feel now it is the right time. Don't worry I am not going to get into crocheting or knitting, maybe later in life insh'Allah. Allah knows best. For now I found something that looks to me more adventurous and exciting: felting wool!!

It's easy and requires not tools or very little, only patience, soap and scrubbing!! I decided to take up an hobby as I'd like to pass on one to my boys. Now felting doesn't really look like a boy's hobby but in time I am sure they could develop their own styles. What I like about this hobby is that it requires patience and it is what I am aiming for my boys. I find that boys don't have much patience and loose quickly their concentration. I would like to work on that as patience is so important in life and a real skill in Islam to be rewarded! Insh'Allah. So felting wool here we come!!!

I purchased a book to get us started and it's full of easy projects to make, step-by-step guide and gorgeous pictures, I just feel that I want to start all the projects all at once. Insh'Allah, sabr!

On the other side of our life, home education has carried on as usual. We are now studying everyday except of Friday only day we go out and visit sisters, and my kids can see their little friends. Also we left Friday for our outings with the homeschooling group.

A. has carried on learning with Calvert. The past week it was the time to learn measuring using feet, inches, yards and metric measures. For obvious reason metric is the easiest way for me and my family but funny enough A. prefers the imperial one. In English he has been revising phonics, verbs and specially he has been using the dictionary a lot. I see that more the kids grow, more there is the need to use the dictionary, easpecially as English is not my mother-tongue. Mash'Allah.He has been busy writing two compositions one about his favourite food:pizza and the other about his favourite toy: a LEGO truck I bought him for 'eid.

In Science, we finished the chapter about forces, pull and push and also the lever experiment. (made a small version of a lever to lift up a pile of heavy books. we used two pencils to do that and it worked!) We are now doing ramps. We talked about what a ramp is and why it is used for. This topic fits very well with the Ancient Egypt because we talked about the way the egyptians used to build the pyramids using ramps to put massive stones in place. Pretty amazing how every subject can link to one another, it's like a jigsaw!

We started a new booklet from Calvert called Critical Thinking (CT).Now this book is so nicely made and it really stimulate the child's brain to think harder about how to solve a problem or a game. It makes use of games, mazes, wordsearches, lots of grammar and writing. Just what I need with my A.! In History, it was the time of learning about Martin Luther King Jr. and laws and rules. A. made a list of his own rules and how they apply to everyday life. Also he had to think about rules that could keep us safe e.g. no carry weapons. He carried on talking about the fact that we all have different thoughts and we don't all want the same things. So conflicts arise when arguments starts over differents of opinions. It's the beginning of a new section that would lead him into the major conflicts in History.

A. has been active in Art&Craft too.He painted a picture following a painting from a great Japanese painter named Hokusai. Another nice lesson from Calvert. This time the lesson was meant to teach the child about fine lines and wavy lines using paintbrushes small and big.

We also started a new Unit Study about Ancient Rome. We just started to collect all we need from the internet. We are also using couple of books we have at home for History, one of them is from the same collection of Ancient Egypt (thebookpeople).

Qur'an and Arabic as usual. A.is now doing Qur'an everyday for 30 minutes a day. Carried on with Surah Al-Baqarah, mash'Allah,long way to go! Insh'Allah. He is also making good use of the website quranexplorer.com

With S. I had such a great week. I am so proud of him and all that he is learning. He is really coming along very well, mash'Allah tabarak'Allah and even his Qur'an Teacher praised him so much for his efforts in reading the Qur'an beautifully. Mash'Allah.

In English, S. has been revising all the phonics he learnt so far. Lots of reading and comprehension of the text using quizzes and worksheets from mindsprinting.com. Also he is learning consonant clusters e.g. pl,cl,gl,fl,tr,cr. etc and making sentences using words with those consonants blend.

In Maths he has been doing ones, tens, hundrends and just started thousands and ten thousands. I have also integrated his lessons with some additions and subtractions with a book I had left from the Schofields and Simms collection from last year.

In Science I carried on using parentsintouch.com and S. has been learning about plants life cycle and the food chain.

The past week, we have been mainly indoors and busying ourselves with cooking and gardening. Potatoes are really shooting up as well as the chillies and peppers! So pleased with my kids gardening skills! I am so looking forward to pick up our efforts in the garden, insh'Allah. And indeed Allah is Al-Khaliq!!

For now that's all. Watch this space if you like to see our new hobby in practice and the new Unit of Study:Ancient Rome.

Wa alaykum assalam

New projects, soon to come insh'Allah

A paper plane, one of the many science activities we made
A. showing his paper plane. It flew for 18 feet
An easy bubble machine, we called it the 'bubble-o-matic!'
making the 'bubble-o-matic'

All we need for the 'Bubble-o-matic'

And there it is, it really worked!A shower of bubble came out of it!

A new exciting, easy to use book with lots of

experiments that use stuff around the house

My new hobby...to share with the kids!

Ancient Rome is coming...

Hokusai painting 'The Wave'

A. painting following Hokusai

Working on it

A's painting, 'The Wave 2'

A. made a pizza with a baquette just added tomatoe sauce and grated cheese

A fresh bowl of salad

(all for the 'change 4 life ' chart)

Hot from the oven

Our cherry tomatoes

The peppers are sprouting up

The potatoes!!

Ancient Egypt and Fimo

2009-04-09T14:32:00.012+01:00

Assalamu alaykum,
it has been a full week of learning.
We followed through with Calvert for A. and mind sprinting for S.
Since our new routine, no many activities squeezed in and little time at home, we are gaining more pleasure on spending time learning, reading and being crafty!

Time's flying and we are soon reaching the end of our 4th year homeschooling (officially-without counting the earlier years!). Mash'Allah wa alhamdulillah!

For the past two weeks we worked on a new project: Ancient Egypt. It has been a great journey for the kids and for me too. We used lots of different resources to build up a Unit Studies and made a lapbook out of it! A. and S. both worked on something and they enjoyed a visit to the British Museum too for the exhibition of 'Ancient Egypt'.

We talked about so many different aspects this very topic touching lots of subjects: geography, science, art, Islamic studies and of course history!

We used the Internet to download free worksheets, books we had at home to gather material to read and copy work (A. loves copy work) and to conclude we visited the Museum to give the kids a feel of what they studied.

For the Islamic part, we used various books including 'Stories of the Prophets' by Sayyed Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi,'Prophet Musa' by Darussalam and 'Illustrated History of Islam' by Dr Abdur Rauf.
Since we started to talk about Prophet Musa (as) we decided to compile a separate lapbook as we did for Prophet Ibrahim (as). Only things I am struggling to find worksheets or any resource for the kids online.

It has been a week of art and craft too! We had painting and lots of colouring. Kids coloured pyramids, sarcophagus and decorated paper plates with spring motives, flowers, bees, butterflies etc.

I bought some fimo for the kids. Never used this material before and wanted to try. It is great fun, smells terrible but the result is great. The kids have used it to decorate two wooden, plain brown frames. The result? Well have a look see what you think!
That's one more ASDAN challenge completed for A. 'making something for the home! A decorated frame could do? Insh'Allah.

Today as we enter at home, after a day at the Museum, we found this 'Change for life'. Mash'Allah! I thought they forgot about it. I send back the colourful application they sent me months ago. It was kind of an 'assessment' to see if my kids get the right amount of good food. It is about change for life, eat healthy and lots of exercise. I think it is a great incentive for the kids and specially for the parents to start to live a healthier life.
The weekly planner will go in the kitchen and i will monitor the kids to see how much fruits and veggies they eat. I'll do it for fun but it's also a good reminder and also to check if I do always give them 5 a day!

I am off, kids have Qur'an lessons and I need my daily cup of caffeine.
For now
wa alaykum assalam

(in reverse order as I don't have time to put the pics right-sorry)

Ancient Egypt Lapbook cover

The inside of the lapbook, writing in hieroglyphic
The map of Egypt

A stickers book and Ancient Egypt wordsearch

S is enjoying painting outdoor!

The 'healthy' eating challenge
All the rest of the free goodies
Animals mummified
Painting of one of the Pharaoh
Mummy of a Pharaoh (no name mentioned)
Canopic jars containing the interior of the deceased
The outer of one sarcophagus
Mummy in the inner sarcophagus
One more sarcophagus
Just a pretty mat at the entrance of the Museum
The welcome hall in the Museum
S. decorated frame with fimo
Who's behind those scary masks?
A.'s decorated frame
Fimo needs to go into the oven for 30 minutes

Spring is officially here!!

2009-04-03T19:04:00.010+01:00

Assalamu alaykum,

spring has finally arrived! The air is warmer and sweeter, the sky is blue and colours are everywhere! Mind you, we have been mostly at home, ill! Hamdulillah.

For the last couple of weeks, our health has been tested, indeed Allah is the Most Powerfull; first it was me with a abdominal pain and I ended up in hospital because of it. I made another visit to the hospital just last week because I accidentally dislocated my little toe!! Then after it was the 'seasonal' bug in the stomach and another of my wisdom teeth is appearing making things more difficult! Hamdulillah Rabbi 'Alamin!!

Nevertheless I kept the boys busy, whatever we were able to do under the circumstances.

We started a new project called 'Ancient Egypt'. So far we read about ancient Egypt using one of the history book bought from the books people and collected all the materials we need for a new lapbook. A. worked on some worksheets related to the topic and S. followed with some colouring! Together we made a pyramid and read the story of Prophet Musa (as) and Firawun.

We also watched, again, the episode about Ancient Egypt from the Horrible History collection.

I managed to teach the kids for 4 days in a row!! I was surprised since we were not really with it. But hamdulillah it was so nice to go back to some sort of routine after spending 3 days in bed, and I mean in bed no moving an inch!!! :(

A. carried on with Calvert and he completed a new Asdan challenge (the garden project!). In Maths he still learning about fractions. He started to solve problems with fractions, you know the ones with the pie or the pizza slices!!!Hopefully this will take him slowly to the concept of decimals and percentages. Insh'Allah.

In English the new section about 'Family' looks so inspiring and gave me a chance to explain how important are family ties and how important it is to look after ones family and respect each other. We worked on new sounds and more on consonant clusters. A. used lots more the dictionary for words he didn't understand, and that was kind of exciting as he has never been keen on searching words in the big book of words!

Also this week, he started a new book, this one is a looong one! He chose it one morning that he was still not well and felt bored in bed! I have almost 'imposed' him to sleep but he said he wanted to read. So he chose one more book from Roald Dahl 'Danny, the champion of the world!' and he found lots of words that he didn't know. He is still reading this very book after 3 days and take the book anywhere! Mash'Allah tabarak'Allah! I think he said he is on page 138. How many pages are there!?!

In Science, we have revised 'Pull and Push forces'. Filled some worksheets and done couple of small experiments using the knowledge we acquired from the topic studied.

In History, A. read about the history of transportation and made a mobile to hang in his room with all different kind of transports new and old. We used the paper models in Calvert book 'Explore your world.'Of course, 'Ancient Egypt' was a big hit this past week, nothing to do with transportation but we did look into ways that Egyptians used to travel e.g. boats made out of papyrus leaves to cross the Nile from the West side to the East side!

Qur'an and Arabic progress as usual. A. is now learning the tajweed of Surah Al-Baqara. Mash'Allah!!Don't ask me why the tutor chose Surah Al-Baqara. Most probably he wants to test A. knowledge of Arabic!

S. has been busy with Maths, lots of Maths! In fact since mindspriting is back online, I printed off lots of worksheets, just in case we bump into some techie problems again.

He worked through tens and ones and this time he got it! He understood straight away without the help of the counters.

I have also left him with couple of worksheets full of additions and I was surprised when 10 minutes later he showed me his work! Well done! Mash'Allah.

In English, S. is learning new words as well as new sounds. He asked wht's a rod? And what's a 'mummy'? We have made good use of the worksheets found at parents in touch website and from mindsprinting. Also finished his second collection of Kipper and his friends (Oxford Tree Learning) collection! Mash'Allah!! I need to buy some more from the book people. Things is where do I store them!! My bookshelves are so full already.

Finally this week S. started Science and he filled some worksheets about plant's parts. He did not know the name except couples like petals and leaves. The rest were all new words to him. I must make sure he does Science at least twice a week as I can see he lacks of knowledge. I thought when I was doing lessons with A., S. would too listen and maybe record some notions but...maybe on other topics. Insh'Allah.

In Qur'an S. has started tajweed of the small surahs as his new teacher believes he should know the tajweed first and then the hifdh after. I agreed with him as I have experience with my kids and they both learnt first hifdh and had little knowledge of tajweed and felt they were only repeating like parrots without reading the Arabic.

Our weekly activities are changing again and it won't be the last time as more sports or activities are adding or leaving!

Kids won't be attending any longer the Thursdays and Fridays madrassa. I think I can do what the madrassa does. So there is no need for me to travel or spend money. Qur'an and Arabic is done at home by private tutor anyway. So all it's left is Islamic Studies. I will tackle that insh'Allah.

We also stopped attending the homework club. It just happened gradually, I guess I felt the boys really didn't need an homework club. In fact they can do their homework in the comfort of their home, mash'Allah wa hamdulillah.

Swimming is off for the next two weeks for half term but not wrestling. So it looks like we have plenty of time to study and maybe meet up with other sisters, insh'Allah.

Spring is here! The tree of the neighbour said so!!!

Our potatoes sprouts out.
Planting cherry tomatoes.
Some more potatoes and french dwarf beans

The Pyramid model completed

Almost finished

Need some sellotape and first part is almost over

The beginning some recycled materials

S. made the map of Egypt, you can see a palm tree (look carefully)

and the Nile (you cannot miss it!!)And btw the yellow colour is the sand

Our week or so, in pics!

2009-03-23T19:12:00.005Z

Some more reading practice with the Leap pad and the Cat in the Hat

My boy won the gold at the Southern Competition in wrestling freestyle

Beautiful Sunset view from my home

A very lovely local park

some more pics from the park

I received a 'love' card from one of my boys!

Some more pics from another local park

A natural reserve

The lake at the natural reserve

Assalamu alaykum,
I don't have much time to update these days but I still like to keep up weekly as I know it will be fun one day to go back and look at our memories!

We made the most of the sunny weather and done little work indoors a part from gardening.

Wa alaykum assalam

London is burning

2009-03-13T17:53:00.016Z

Assalamu alaykum,

it has been a very nice week. Boys have been extremely helpful in the garden and have learnt a new historic event!

But let's start from Monday.

We started homeschooling again, after more than two weeks off! I took the books off the shelves and called the kids! They were not so happy but quickly agreed to do some work.

A. started a new topic in Math. He is now learning about area and perimeter of flat shapes and halves, thirds, quarters, fifths and sixths!

In English, A reviewed the past learnt sounds such as nk, nd and wrote some funny stories using 3 new words each time.

In science we are learning about forces, pull and push and we made a small device in paper and cardboard. We then attached to it a string and a rubber band and wrote numbers from the end of the paper to the middle. The highest number was seven and the smallest was 0.

I then asked my child to pull the string three times that it is attached to the rubber band and record what number, the end of, the rubber band touched. Each time it was a different number and my child could understand better what it means by different forces, pull and push. We also pushed a chair in the wooden floor and then do the same in a rug. A. spotted the differences between pushing a chair in the wooden floor that is smooth and the hard wearing rug!

In History, A. read a chapter about Albert Einstein and the theory of relativity! A big chapter and hamdulillah with whatever he has retain!

S. is now fluently reading and has his very own collection of books. He likes Kipper and Floppy books from the Oxford Reading Tree and he has a collection of Charlie and Lola books.

With his mastered reading skills, Maths is much easier and I don't have to sit constantly with him! In fact he can work by his own most of the time. He is learning about tens and ones and carried on using less than<> signs in small problems.

In Science we have been talking about flower's parts and the life cycle of a seed! Allah Akbar, such a fascinating subject!

Both kids had Qur'an and Arabic in the afternoon. After class we had time to squeeze in some art&craft. Pics to follow. Then afterwards I took them to swimming.

Tuesday we have carried on with homeschooling, even thou the weather was calling us out, but I had to stick with the re-found routine. In the afternoon they had their Qur'an and Arabic classes as usual and then I took them to wrestling.

Wednesday, we woke up nice and early and decided to carried on our garden spring clean, started the week before.

Kids have been ever so helpful. I couldn't have done it without them. They cleaned all the weeds and death plants. Removed roots and a small stump that was in the middle of the garden. We planted new flowers, some peppers and finally our potatoes!!!

In the end I let A. use the lawnmower, under my supervision! The garden looks so lovely now. It has been transformed from a blank canvas to a clean, colourful, inviting area! I am so looking forward for sunny days! And of course for our potatoes!

On Thursday we attended our weekly get together with other homeschooling. The Group is really growing and I feel my kids are getting to know other children better and look forward to go there every week. I am happy when I get a sense of belonging so do my kids with the other homeschoolers:'we speak the same language' . Thursday evening I took the boys at madrassa.

On Friday, today, we met up with another homeschooling Group and attended a workshop about London's burning been booked for us by our lovely Group leader sister N.

Jazakillah sister! We had a nice day and I must say this has been one of the best workshop we attended so far. It lasted for over 1.30 minutes and the lady in charge of the kids she really knew her history well. She was also so entertaining and full of great way to keep the kids engaged and at the same time, listening! Unfortunately, I haven't had time to introduce my kids to the topic of London's burning so as we arrived we asked another sister to introduce the topic for us.

It was nice for my boys to learn in a Group and a teacher that is not mum. After lunch, we went to visit the Museum and enjoyed the galleries. Back at home and we decided to stay at home from madrassa, too tired. Cheeky!!

This evening back at home, A. wrote a report about 'London's burning' which we will send to ASDAN. S. has been colouring a very vivid image about London in fire.

Insh'Allah tomorrow A. is at school in the morning. The afternoon will be for me to study for UNI, insh'Allah I need to catch as I am falling behind and I don't like that as I can get very stressed.

On Sunday, insh'Allah it will be wrestling again. A. is getting ready for the tournament in 2 weeks time and he is very nervous about it!

for now

wa alaykum assalam

oven in 1666

' London is burning'-painting in the gallery

S dressed like 'Samuel Pepys'

workshop

ink pot made of horns
workshop

entrance to the Museum
planting flowers

potatoes

building an house with cardboard and a shoe box

the house, outside (front door with a small garden) and inside (2 floors) making some fun cards!

a plate garden: 'it's snowing...

...so we made a snowman'!

Planting potatoes and getting ready for spring!

2009-03-07T23:09:00.005Z

Assalamu alaykum

it was another week off from our beloved books!! The past few weeks we had taken really easy on the home education front!

The website I am using for S is offline for some tech issues and with Calvert we have almost done, so why not take another week off, eh?!?

Monday dh was at home, again! I was amazed, two Mondays in a row! Kids were happy so was I. But not for long. I ended up in hospital with a very sharp pain in my lower right side of the abdomen...a suspected appendix? I spent the morning at the hospital while kids were at home with dh. They has such fun and apparently took dh 'hostage' in their bedroom to show him all they like to do and more!

I was back at home by lunchtime. The sharp pain was nonetheless an inflammation of my intestine! I don't know why, doct. gave me some paracetamol and that's it! Typical.

During the afternoon we all went to the park. Baby S. enjoyed for the first time a good walk in the park trying to chase this child and that one! Bless him.

Tuesday we met up with a new cyber friend and another sister from the blogworld. Spent the morning at the Natural History Museum, again. Kids liked so much the mammals section and wanted to stay longer but we had to rush back home for the Qur'an and Arabic lessons.

After the Qur'an and Arabic lessons, they headed for their weekly wrestling training.

Wednesday we stayed indoors and managed a day of Calvert and phonics for S.

Thursday I had some errands to run and afterwards I took the kids to madrassa. Friday we went to the park and we received some Potatoes for Schools . My kids are looking forward to dig up some holes in the garden!

We are getting the garden ready for spring and kids have been helping cleaning the patio and removing shrubs and weeds. Mash'Allah!

This morning A. attended the supplementary school and came back home very cheerful. He said he learnt how to play tennis and also enjoyed again educationcity.com.

A very easy week, not much done but lots have been achieved. S. can now read nicely and he is using higher level books. Also I find that S. understands Maths pretty easily and amazingly I can leave him to work on his own with little guidance. Reading has made such a difference!

A. stuck his nose into a new set of books I got him from the Book People 'History News Collection' and he suddenly remember about his DVDs collection of 'Horrible Histories'

I leave you with some pics taken by A.

Mum Award from Happy Muslimah, Umm Obaidah and Rainbow!

2009-02-28T23:52:00.007Z

Assalamu alaykum,

I have been tagged trice with this one. I accept the award and jazakamallahu kheiran to all the lovelies out there who thought I was worth the award! So jazakillah to Happy Muslimah, Umm Obaidah and Rainbow!

Here are the rules of this tag:1. Admit one thing you feel awful about (involving being a mom). Once you have written it down, you are no longer allowed to feel bad. Remember you are a good mom!

2. Remind yourself that you ARE a good mom, list 7 things you love about your kids, you love doing with your kids, or that your kids love about you.

3. Send this to 5 other moms of the year that deserve a reminder that they too are the best moms that they can be. Remember to send them a note letting them know you have selected them, and also add a link to your post that directs people back to the person who nominated you!

So here it goes.

1.I really don't like when I get upset with my kids! I get very grumpy and not one can talk to me...my kids knows me well as when this happen they do everything to make me feel better again!! Just one smile with their little cute faces and it can melt my heart!!!

2. My list of 7 things I love about my kids:

-I love seeing them together, playing with each other;

-Caring for each other;

-How they can care for me and love me not matter what;

-When they say 'thank you mum' for anything I do even when things are not right;

-I cannot stay without my kids and I truly enjoy so much reading, cooking, cleaning, walking, and learning with them;

-I am so happy that I can see my kids grow everyday!Hamdulillah!

-When I hug and kiss them I can feel the mercy Allah has bestow upon me and my dh.

I am going to tag

wa alaykum assalam

Get together!

2009-02-28T12:25:00.005Z

Assalamu alaykum,
Another week has passed. A very pleasant week. We have had another week off homeschooling and just take one day at the time. It's just dh has been at home,unusually, for a day and couple of evenings! When dh is around is pretty difficult to get the kids concentrating on their work, mind you he is never at home.
Nevertheless we had a busy week with plenty of occasion to learn new stuff, me included!
Now we spent 5 days out and have 1 afternoon and 1 day indoor, that's pretty all the time I have at home. I find that as the kids get older, they are more demanding not just on what they eat, cloth or material stuff but mentally and emotionally. Also the activities outdoor keep them going and, as they are boys, their energy is unlimited :)
On Monday the boys went back to swimming. They had their usual lesson in Arabic and Quran with quranreading.com. Tuesday, they both attended the homework club. The teacher took in S. too, she said that as long as he can read it is fine for him to stay and gave him some Maths worksheets to complete. Tuesday evening A. has wrestling just getting ready for the March tournament.
Wednesday is our day at home and a chance for me to catch up on the chores. Kids spent their day watching a new set of DVDs about the world around us from BBC. Great collection with 5 DVDs. A.loves documentaries. I find them fascinating too and very useful to my science studies. In the morning I took the kids to the local park and they rode their bikes after a long time. Spring is in the air.
Thursday we met with the new home edu group, a great get together for Muslim homeschoolers in a Eastender park, not too far from where we live. InshAllah we will try to attend every week and benefit from other home edu families.
Thursdays and Fridays eve, my kids are at madrassa. This week it was their first week back to madrassa after half term. They spent both days revising the Qur'an and Islamic Studies.
Today, Saturday, A. attended again the supplementary school. He used the computers and learnt with educationcity.com one of my favourite website. Also he enjoyed science, chemistry, literacy, numeracy and for the first time he went for PE; today was the trampolining. That's another great day. I spoke to the teacher before leaving A. she said they will be starting French soon. For my French friend out there, you know how long I was craving for this!! Hamdulillah, it is all working out. While A. was at school I took S. and S2 to the soft play area. This is the only place where I can really relax, while my kids are playing, for two main reasons: 1)the play area is always empty, no other children around when we go; 2) it is a very safe area for babies too, only soft toys and very clean!
Tomorrow, inshAllah, we are at wrestling again, that's almost all day.
Now where is my 'ME' time gone????

apple pie with greek yogurt ice cream and honey

Baby S. in the balls pool
Old sign-Transport Museum

Play area at the Transport Museum

Lovely sky, day out at the park with our bikes

Spring is on its way!!

Learning photography and time well spent!

2009-02-19T18:49:00.007Z

Assalamu alaykum to all my dearest readers!
May this find you all in good health and strong Iman. Amin.

What a different week we had around here. As pre-announced, A. started his 4 days course 'Introduction to Photography'. The 4 days came and gone, so quickly but I am glad all went well and A. had a great experience.

On Monday when I took him to the centre for his course, I was nervous, he was fine -'just excite'- he said. I was really getting worried in case the course was going to be a photographic exhibition of living beings!

I went in and found a really nice teacher waiting for us. I told her straight that my child is home educate and ask her more about the picutures she would let the kids take. She mentioned natural pthings and objects around just like a pen, a bottle, a plant, a flower etc.and also revealed that her sister does home educate her kids! What a nice start!!!

I left A. with a big grin on his face. I could see how happy he was to be with other kids and in a classroom, what a novelty!

He spent the next fours days enjoying to the full the time with his new found friends. He said some were nice but others were a bit 'rude' - in his own words.

Everyday he left the class with something new and exciting to tell and everyday he learnt lots about photography, for his young age. The teacher made sure all the kids would take pics of things around them and not living beings. Main objects were plants, flowers, bottles, glittery stars, tables, fruits etc. One day the children were taken to the local park to take pics of natural things. They learnt how to develop pictures and how a camera works.

All in all a great week with a twist for him and for me. But also for his brothers. S. and S2 were happy to spent sometime together without the older brother ruling them about. I spent some great quality time with both and I learnt to listen to S. a bit more. Hamudlillah.Usually I will go through A. to understand S. but this time I made time to sit with him and listen to all his stories and his dreams. We read together, usually is A. reading with S., we spent time at the local farm and talked about things he likes to do, we painted, cooked and made shopping together. It has been a really different week. With A. at school from 10am to 3pm, I had tons of time to clean, cook, read that nice book I bought 2 years ago, and just chill out with my other two boys. Mash'Allah wa al-hamdulillah.

I even had time to pick up my Arabic course to revise the lesson before Friday comes.

Tomorrow A. and his friends at the course have prepared a photographic exhibition and will show their hard work. The teacher told us there will prizes and certificates for all. Looking forward to that. Insh'Allah.

This last week we all learnt something: A. learnt: 1)that not all children are nice; 2) look after his belongings when outside; 3) appreciate more home education.

I learnt that: 1) A. needs more independence (with guidance,lol) and I need to entrust him more with things in and out the house; 2) let A. loose a bit more; 3) home education is truly better than any school; 3) listen more and spend more time with S. and S2.

The next set of free courses there will be up in Summer time. Last summer we missed the registration day and by the time we decided to go ahead and fill an application form it was way too late. During summer, the variety of courses on offer is great and there is an higher demand. Last summer there were courses to learn French, Maths, English literature, sewing, dressmaking, henna, cooking, art&craft, lots of free sports and many more activities. There is not really a link I can send out, for those living in my borough you need to visit your library regularly before summer, look for a booklet for summer courses, it's all in there and best of all they are all free!!!!

for now,

wa alaykum assalam

Chicken Pie inspired by sister Rainbow and the book:'How to make an apple pie and visit the world'. I had some leftover roasted chicken. I made a crust with butter, flour and iced water. I then cooked carrots, peas and onions and made a bechamelle sauce. Added the ingredients to the sauce and cooked for 35 minutes (my oven is fan assisted and cook everything super quick!)Quick dish for the busy home educators out there.

Chicken pie, ready to be cook.

the local farm, very welcoming and S. really like it.

Soft Play area in one of the leisure centre. It's massive, I couldn't take it all in one pic. It is divided into 4 floors and kids can climb up and down as they please. Baby friendly!

Tibetan bridge

Business as usual!!

2009-02-14T21:43:00.005Z

Assalamu alaykum,

may this finds you all in the best of health and Iman.Amin.
We are back to our normal routine, actually thinking about it, we have never left that routine even during my little 'crisis'!!
Carried on home educating my lovely boys as usual. Just really working hard to make sure my eldest gets an head start before going back to his Saturday school after the half term.
The Saturday school would be a great asset for A's education and mainly in Science, Maths, English and ICT. I am so glad that despite all he got a place and all for free!
These last few weeks I have been searching for free activities for my boys, anything, of course halal, from sports to courses. I am amazed about how many lovely activities and sports free of charge or really cheap for a £1 or less than that, are held in my borough. I found fencing, archery, swimming, courses of French, English, Photography, Computing and even how to build your very own go kart and test it!!!

I enrolled A to a photography course. It's an introduction on how to use a camera, how does a camera work, so I guess a bit of science and maths will be taught and finally how to take great pics! All for free! He will be starting this course next week,during the half term, insh'Allah.

Back to home education, it's going mash'Allah. All praises are due to Allah. Just few days ago I was moaning but I feel better and full of energy. Hamdulillah for Islam and for dua'as!

A. is doing very well with Calvert programme. He is progressing as usual and I realized he can do it all by himself, just a little guidance here and there, but I can leave him to work alone and he can produce a great work. I was really happy the first time I left him. I had to follow S. with his new Math programme and I was away for about 1 hour. I thought I would find A. playing around with his baby brother but I was wrong. I went back only to find him all concentrate, learning about the perimeter and area of solids!!! I never taught him about solids, let alone perimeter and area. Hamdulillah as I can now leave him to do his work, of course he is still in need of a bit of guidance when it comes down to History, Geography and Science activities but for the rest he is quite happy to get along by himself.

Also I was surprised when his teacher at the homework club remarked the fact that he is the only one that can get on with the work without need of help and little guidance. I thought this must be due to the fact that he is home educated and he always work on a 1-2-1 method.What do you think?
At the homework club I gave A. the worksheets from mindsprinting.com and he completed the daily lessons in Maths, reading comprehension and reading all by himself. The teacher was asking where I get all the resources from :)

For the past few days we have been reviewing the timetables. I left the timetables last year as Calvert doesn't teach it until the child reach grade 3. But I felt he should go back to it just in case his teacher at the Saturday school ask him.

S. is doing great at reading. He is always working very well in Maths and currently studying with mindsprinting.com Every day I would print out the worksheets for his lessons and he would try his best to work on them. I am glad he can now read and the worksheets reinforced his phonics and reading. I tell you that mindsprinting.com tutoring programme is great!
In Maths, S. is learning about the signs <, > and = and lot of additions and subtractions. In reading he is doing various exercises such as fill in the blanks using words that contain the short sound A, also words with the sounds bl and cl.

Qur'an and Arabic as usual in madrassa and at home with quranreading.com. The ustadh at quranreading.com is really working hard on teaching my kids how to read and I am pleased he gives them lot to do at home. I can see the benefits, again, on working with the child 1-2-1.

In Islamic studies, S. is learning about the dua'a that Prophet Yunus (as) said when he was in the whale. A. is back to the Pillars of Islam and daily dua'as. Repetition is never enough!

for now
wa alaykum assalam x
Pics 1-2-3: Learning about Japanese cuisine:sushi nori with fresh vegetables and rice. Pics 4-5-6-7: A bit of art and craft. Pic 8: S. is counting tens and ones with the help of colourful blocks.

Live for today!!

2009-02-09T15:05:00.003Z

Assalamu alaykum,
after my sad post few days ago, I received a touching email and a lovely phone call.
I feel blessed to have such sisters around. Hamdulillah Rabbi 'Alamin. Indeed to Him belongs the Heaven and the Earth and all that it contains. Mash'Allah!

I don't want to give up home education, it is not my real aim, nor it is a wish inside me. Far from that!! I wish to carry on as much as Allah will bless me with it.
I do feel very happy with home education and feel blessed that I can do it and that my kids are gaining so much.
Yes, I would love that things could be easier for me and kids. I would love that my dh is around more often to spent time with my kids and help a bit more even if only with doing shopping or run some errands for me.
But this is my test and as I have already said in reply to a sister I shall be strong and try to take one day at the time.
A sister called the day after I wrote that message , in fact she said she tried to call me all the day before just as I wrote the sad post but my mobile was off.
She stated so beautifully that I should live for today and it looks like a simple advice by a dear sister. But it was really what I needed and I appreciated her nasiha so much. I feel I have been ungrateful and also have I put my total trust in Allah? Islam teaches us to put our trust only in Allah, He is our Creator after all!! After the call I hugged my kids strongly just as the sister was advising me to do over the phone and I felt better as I could touch with my heart and my hands the love that Allah has for me and my family all. Jazakillah ukhti, you know who you are. Love fisabilillah to you.
I feel that things can only go better from now and I am recharging by teaching my kids and guess what? cooking!
Don't know why, don't ask! I hate cooking but these days helped me to relax and feel better about my life.
May Allah forgive me for being so ungrateful and may He guide me and my family to what is good, always.Amin.

Later that day I received another call. It was late evening and I was really tired. I looked at the phone screen and realized it was my dh id. I picked up. I don't know why, still I am here wondering, he said just a beautiful thing. He was saying how grateful he was that my kids are home educated and how happy he is that I can teach them at home. He recognized the fact that I have taken up a big challenge and that he is sorry he cannot be around to help. Allah As-Sami'.
It brought tears to my eyes and opened up a new way for me and my kids....Allah Al Fattah!!

Just to finish this post, I'd like to make a special du'as for all the sisters that want to home educate but cannot for their own personal tests, may Allah open a way for you and bring you relief from your hardships.Amin.
For those who you that are looking to start with home education, you will start something amazing and so many rewards and blessings are awaiting for you just around the corner! Don't be afraid to start or indeed to take up this challenge, put your trust in Allah and live for today.
love fisabilillah
x

Home education on a budget!

2009-02-07T22:20:00.003Z

Assalamu alaykum, who said home education has to be expensive!!??
Here some really nice links to keep you going, cheaply :) JazakAllahu kheiran to all the akhwat in the Group for posting the links.
Mind Sprinting Free US curriculum in Math and Reading
Life Science Homeschoolers welcome!
Parents in touch Worksheets, Sats papers, information on education for parents
Primary Resources Free Lessons plans, activities, ideas etc
@ School Provides online Primary curriculum
wa alaykum assalam

Facing hardships and home educating

2009-02-07T21:54:00.004Z

Assalamu alaykum,
lately I am reading a lot about other sisters preparing to embark on the great journey of home education. I read their posts on the Group, chat with them at the phone and/or email them. Their talks, excitement, research into home education and the ifs and buts remind me of my beginning, our beginning into the world of home education. So much to look forward, so much to gain joy from, mash'Allah.
Four years after and it is still the same for me, I am still so happy and full of energy. I do wish I could do more, I could teach more I could...time's flying and before I know it's tomorrow! But am I really that full of energy? Am I still so full of happiness? Is the stress of everyday life taking its toll?
All these thoughts have brought some deep reflection about my current situation.
Since the very first day I chose home education and I get on with it all by my own. I was not expected a medal here or indeed to get paid for doing what I love to do, but appreciation and maybe a little encouragement would do.
I feel days, months and years later the situation is the same. I chose to home educate because I do believe it is the best choice for my kids. I have so much respect for those mums that have to send their kids to state school because they cannot do home education, or because things are not easy maybe they face some hardships, financial problems etc. May Allah make it easy for all of the sisters in those situations.Amin. I am indeed blessed and thank Allah for it.
Although I am facing some hardships at present and this is effecting me. I am usually a little 'soldier' I march on because that is how I was brought up. No matter what I have always stand up and done what I had to. Most of the sisters I know are like that and just get on with their works. Mash'Allah, may Allah reward them!Amin.
But lately all of the stress related problems of everyday life combined with the old problem of living by my own with 3 kidlets have taken its toll. It's already so hard to function in normal circumstances but imagine doing all that, cooking, cleaning, shopping looking after the education of the kids, a toddler of 1 1/2, the usual errands (bills, bank, post office etc), university studies, Arabic course, sports , madrassa etc and on top not support and stress related to everyday living?!!
I do feel things are a bit too much for me at present.
Should I leave home education? I would be sad to do so, but where are my alternatives? Do I have any choice? Is there a way I can mend such a situation?
I am pondering over those thoughts now and just feeling really tired....
wa alaykum assalam

A new challenge and so much snow!!

2009-02-03T16:11:00.006Z

Assalamu alaykum,

we are still finding our feet with the new routine. We have not open the Calvert books for the last 2 weeks or so since this morning!

A. received the last test results back from his Calvert teacher. She was very happy with his progress but asked him to work more on spellings. In Science and maths, all was well and I was relieved that the work I am doing with him, it is appreciated and the the teacher gave him good feedback. She also wrote a letter to me, just to say how happy she was with A. work and to keep it up! I was chuffed, really I was.

So much as happened in the last 2 weeks but I had very little time to update here and I don't know where to start really. I will be brief as time is my great enemy!

I have been in the search for new activities for my kids, free of charge of course! I won't be able to afford all that my kids wants to do!

A. started a homework club and so far he enjoyed the novelty of being in a group and working together with other kids. While he is in there, for about 2 hours, myself and the other two boys are off to the library where S. can use the computer and learn with is favourite website cbeebies.

I have also registered A. to a Saturday school where he will be doing Literacy, Numeracy, Science and ICT. All for free!

Qur'an and Arabic as usual with quranreading.com and in the new evening madrassa just 10 minutes drive from home-love it!

We have started a new Asdan challenge. This time we concentrated on learning about wild animals native of Britain. A., initially, chose to talk about the red squirrel but he soon turned his attention to a more common and easily found wild animal: the badger!

We went to the library and looked for a book. Tons of books I should say. One topic but lots of books. We chose just two and carried on our search on the net. I printed out some reading materials about badgers. I then left all to A. and with little of no help from me, he was able to produce a new piece of work. Another challenge completed, lots more to go!

S. has been writing a lot lately. Just everywhere. I bought him a small writing pad and he started writing down things, anything from food to titles of books. Every time he would show me and he would get so proud when I tell him how good he has been, mash'Allah.
S. is really reading nicely now and we are concentrating on the Eeman Reading Series booklets. A very nice collection of books in English with Islamic moral content for the primary school level.

He is also doing fine in maths and enjoying adding but less subtracting. He finds it hard to take away numbers. Today we were playing the shopping game and when he was time to give the change back he had to work a little bit harder.

Both the boys have restarted Islamic Studies, mainly reading books with me and comprehension of the text. There has been a lot of talking about the topic of angels.

Sport have been on as usual, swimming and wrestling. My eldest will be starting a new tournament next month and he is training twice a week now. It's a lot of work but he does it with passion. Mash'Allah.

On another matter now. I have been looking to get my 5 1/2 registered with the Traffic Club since he was 3! I never went far. Every time they would say that I cannot register him because the health visitor should do so and blah, blah, blah!!

I wrote them and complained about it because I know most of my friends have received a set of 6 free books from them automatically when the children where 3.
Why not mine??

I won the battle....they sent my boy all the books with a letter of apology. :)

We used those books and they are great, S. completed book 1 and book 2 and started the activities booklet that comes with the series. It teaches kids the importance of being safe in the road, in the car, while riding a bike, at the traffic light, etc. Very nice.

Kids enjoyed the snow the past few days and here are the pics....
wa alaykum assalaam

Speechless...again!

2009-02-02T00:13:00.004Z

ei: The Electronic Intifada

2009-02-01T23:11:00.001Z

ei: The Electronic Intifada

Posted using ShareThis

One week off...

2009-01-30T23:10:00.003Z

Assalamu alaykum,
the past week we have been having a break from home education, just to recharge our batteries and because I allocated this week for health check ups. Kids had their teeth and eyes check-ups. All is well hamdulillah bar a little scare that my optician decided to give us. She referred A to hospital for an urgent check up on one of his eye. She claimed she saw a bleeding vessel on the back of his eye. I got a bit scare on that day. But all turned out to be just fine.The doctor at the hospital said that it is just a ticker vessel, a bit different than the others surrounding the back of the eye. Nothing to worry about.Hamdulillah!
The past week brought some new, inshAllah good, changes.To start with, our routine has changed again.
We now home educate from Monday to Thursday. Throughout the week the kids do attend swimming as well as wrestling and madrassa for Arabic, Qur'an and Islamic Studies.
On Friday we have decided to take it off as we used to, but with the exception of the evening madrassa.The new madrassa, 10 minutes driving from where we live, runs only on Thursdays and Fridays evening from 4pm to 6pm.Hamdulillah for that as I wasn't too keen to go back to the usual busy evening routine with 5 days madrassa.
On Tuesday A. attends an homework club where he can use computers and with the help of a professional can work on lots of different subjects and bring his own homework and projects.
The rest of the days, specially mornings are dedicated to Calvert and ASDAN. For the younger one, UK National Curriculum using Schofield and Simms and Oxford Tree Learning.
Our next challenge will be a research about a wild animal native of Britain. A. chose to write about badgers. Another Asdan challenge off our shoulders! Honestly, this Asdan is really good, I am very impress with the challenges and the content of the course. I do a bit anxious at times when we don't do any challenge for a while, but then I know that we can work on our own pace. No need for rushing and finish on an agreed time like in the case of Calvert.
At the moment, with Calvert on the go, Asdan and the UK National Curriculum, it looks like a big mess, but what a beautiful mess!MashAllah.
No pics this week :(
for now
wa alaykum assalam

The National Army Museum

2009-01-23T20:10:00.005Z

Assalamu alaykum,
While I am writing this we are still on the train going back home after a long day out.
Lately we talked a lot about the war. It all started when I bought the PC CD-Rom game 'Quraish' back on December.
We talked about the Quraish tribe, the year of the Elephant, Surah Al-Fil, the Lion of 'Ain Jalut and the battles against the Mongols that were led by Genghis Khan, shortages and sheltering during WW2. It all continue with Palestinian 3rd Intifada. May Allah restore peace. Amin.
Today we went mainly for the play area inside the Museum. It was described as a really nice themed area. So me and other two sisters set off in the morning and went to see for our self this play area.
The entrance is free but sadly the sessions last only 45 minutes. Well, at least it should have had lasted that long.
The kids liked it. Inside featured a castle, a big tree and other various activities with slides, soft play area, a rock climbing, and 2 big rocking horses.
When the session ended, too soon to be honest as the kids wanted to stay longer, we headed for the Museum. It was not in programme to visit the Museum but to my big surprise that was the best thing we did for the day!
Inside the Museum, an area dedicated to the 'making of Britain'. A walk through the most significant part of the British History mainly past wars. A vast collection of soldiers' uniform, armours and cannons.
On the ground floor you can find an area called 'A soldier story' and it is dedicated to the last war Britain fought in Afghanistan. I was not really looking forward to see this last part of the Museum and felt uncomfortable thinking about how many Muslims innocent have suffered as a result of 9/11. Subhan'Allah. Inside you can see the weapons and all the latest equipments deployed in Afghanistan , read letters from soldiers to their families in Britain, pictures of the actual battles against the Taliban and much more. My eldest even had the chance to hold a riffle.
As we are coming back home, we are reflecting about the day and our heart again goes out to the Palestinians and to all our brothers and sisters that are suffering everywhere in the world. May Allah bring peace and alleviate the sufferings. Amin.
For now
X wa alaykum assalam
...back at home it's time for the pics!!

sand bags and a weapen used in the Afghanistan war

riffle deployed in the Afghanistan war

indian soldier and his wife 17th century

nice soldier uniform

Study area for the kids, worksheets ready to be filled!
' knock down that soldier' game

British soldiers in North America, freezing conditions

play area, big castle

veru heavy mail armourm 31Kg!!!

going to battle

Burgundian handgunner

climbing high