Islam Grade 5

A reminder to all parents and students that end of first quarter quiz is on Sunday. Please review chapters 1, 2, 3, 26, 27 and 28 from the book + Concept of Aqeedah. Last week, all students got a study note on this topic. Please review it for the quiz as well. The study guide for Aqeedah is attached to the bottom of the page (Aqeedah.pdf) in case you don't find yours or you missed the class last week.

Most of the questions will be multiple choice while others will be "fill-in-the-blank" type. Good luck!

Many students presented their Hajj project this week. Many of them did a fantastic job explaining various steps of Hajj. A few presentations were quite special. I could see that a lot of hard work went into them. I applaud all students who worked diligently and delivered within the deadline.

For those who were not present or who weren't prepared, they get one more chance to present coming Sunday Nov 2. They'd get half the points though. I hope you'll avail this opportunity.

Also, coming Sunday, the Du'a for the first quarter is due. Please brush up on Arabic and translation of the Du'a. If you don't have the copy of Du'a, please download it from the link at the bottom of this page.

I have uploaded the lesson plan for the next Quarter which begins on Sunday Nov 9. For the coming Sunday we will study chapter 26.

We're making good progress in the classroom. We have covered chapters 1 through 3 in the book, recognizing the presence of our Creator and discussing why we exist, thus defining our relationship with Allah (swt). We have also discussed the revelation for the final times - the Qur'an and some significant aspects of it.

I would like parents to get more engaged at this stage and review the material at home. My observations so far has revealed that many students are lagging behind, not following the course work at home. Some are unaware of the lesson plan or haven't shared it with their parents. I urge all parents to pay close attention to the plan. It is our guide.

On account of a conflict between a school-wide contest, Muslims Scientists, I have moved the deadline for the Hajj project to October 26. Please continue to work on the project bit-by-bit - do not postpone it until the very end. I have also posted the updated lesson plan at the bottom of the page. During coming weeks we'll review major pillars of Islam (Salah, Saum, Zakat), then Islamic Architecture (Masajid of the World), and transition to Islamic Ethics.

Continue to memorize the Du'a and translation of this quarter (you can get the Du'a for Qtr_1 at the bottom). We are going to work on flash cards starting next week inshallah.

I would like all parents to sign the orientation paper that I circulated in the classroom and have the kids return it to me. This will give me the confidence that you have reviewed and agreed to do your part in helping your child learn.

Also, if your child is going to miss the class, I would like a note sent to me (email is fine), in case it is a planned absence.

Copies of all important documents are always accessible through this website (at the bottom of this page). I will provide relevant updates to you through this website. However, because we are following a plan, the updates won't come on a weekly basis.

The orientation went well. There were a few parents in attendance as well. We discussed the framework of our Islamic Studies class. The students were handed a packet which contained the following items: Orientation handout, Lesson Plan for the first quarter, key dates and material for Salah (daily prayers). All parents are requested to go through the material especially the orientation handout, read it carefully, sign and have it returned back to me in the next class. I will keep a signed copy for myself and return the original back to you. Most of the material that I discuss in the classroom will be available for download at the webpage (see bottom of the page).

NOTE: PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE LESSON PLAN AND KEY DATES FROM THE WEBPAGE AS I HAD FIXED A FEW MISTAKES. Don't forget to download the Du'a for the first quarter as well.

Please work with your kids and communicate with me on a regular basis. I expect a great deal of parent involvement throughout the year. My contact is listed at the end of the orientation handout.

HAJJ PROJECT: We are going to do a few projects throughout the year, the first of which is a Hajj Project. The project is a poster based assignment. Please create a poster no larger than 30"x24" detailing various stages of performing Hajj from the arrival at Makkah up to and including Tawaf Al-Wida (also called Al-Wada). The posters should contain drawings (artwork) of rituals and some text explaining the ritual and timings (the dates and times that particular act is performed). The artwork can be printed from any website, however more points will be given for handmade ones. Use your imagination. Ask if you have more questions.

The following website is one of many that provide detailed hajj information: http://www.hajinformation.com/main/f20.htm

The following video is helpful in learning about various rituals of Hajj.