For this week's study of the Sumerians the boys have done quite a bit of online reading.
Here are some useful links
1. Easy to read, with a map. (Go to Ancient world, then Middle East, then Sumerians)
2. For older readers, with a bit too much detail on the kufr!
3. British Museum, easy to read, and some interactive activities. Their favourite!
Today the boys have finished their first Powerpoint presentation, a Sumerians project. Part of my recent panic was about not doing enough for ICT. Alhamdulillah, I found my way to Powerpoint!
Friday, October 19, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
A few thoughts
After Ramadan it is time to review and decide what to do next. Also to check on how far we’ve got on various projects.
Reading. Still in progress. In “Man and Prophet” we have reached the time of the conquest of Makkah, and the changes that took place in the weeks that followed it.
In the story of Salah-ed-Deen we have seen him consolidate his power in Egypt, and then move north, dealing with the squabbling princes of various castles and cities. The Franks were in the area for the crusades and Salah-ed-Deen wanted to drive them out, but first he had to deal with the disunity amongst the Muslims, some of whom sought allegiance with the Franks against him. At the point we are now it is about 1185 and Salah-ed-Deen has taken control of much of Syria, including Damascus and Aleppo, has had an excursion into Nablus and Jenin, and is making repeated attempts to control Mosel. It seems that the other men of power around him were somewhat unreliable, not keeping to their word or always sticking around.
Quran. The boys have accepted use of the “computer tutor” into their daily routine. Ia is not too interested in Arabic letters.
History. We have started looking into the history of the Sumerians, as part of the background study for contextualisation of the history of Ibraheem (as). The Sumerian culture preceeded Ibraheem (as) (if he has been correctly placed in the Babylonian era), but the Sumerian culture is the basis for that. Interestingly we found out that the Sumerians believed (in addition to their idol worship) in a great flood that wiped out all the bad people, with only a few being saved on a boat. In their version the boat was manned by a king, and their gods were involved too. But interesting that they had distorted knowledge of what happened to the people of Nuh (as). They also had beliefs which stem from the story of Adam (as).
Also, about something I heard on the radio. It was the usual LEA or NUT man cites “major socialisation issues” with home education. Apart from the usual wondering “What on earth…?” I thought, probably there are socialisation issues, in that schools seek to socialise children into uniformity, all learning the same thing at the same time, fitting into the system. Home education is very “individual” and socialises differently. Maybe that lack of conformity is the major issue. The problem, as the authorities see it, is that children will not be moulded as they wish them to be. Being different, even in a productive, constructive way, is anti-social? It means you are not socialised to conform, accept and be as a cog should? Oh well, even less to worry about there then.
Reading. Still in progress. In “Man and Prophet” we have reached the time of the conquest of Makkah, and the changes that took place in the weeks that followed it.
In the story of Salah-ed-Deen we have seen him consolidate his power in Egypt, and then move north, dealing with the squabbling princes of various castles and cities. The Franks were in the area for the crusades and Salah-ed-Deen wanted to drive them out, but first he had to deal with the disunity amongst the Muslims, some of whom sought allegiance with the Franks against him. At the point we are now it is about 1185 and Salah-ed-Deen has taken control of much of Syria, including Damascus and Aleppo, has had an excursion into Nablus and Jenin, and is making repeated attempts to control Mosel. It seems that the other men of power around him were somewhat unreliable, not keeping to their word or always sticking around.
Quran. The boys have accepted use of the “computer tutor” into their daily routine. Ia is not too interested in Arabic letters.
History. We have started looking into the history of the Sumerians, as part of the background study for contextualisation of the history of Ibraheem (as). The Sumerian culture preceeded Ibraheem (as) (if he has been correctly placed in the Babylonian era), but the Sumerian culture is the basis for that. Interestingly we found out that the Sumerians believed (in addition to their idol worship) in a great flood that wiped out all the bad people, with only a few being saved on a boat. In their version the boat was manned by a king, and their gods were involved too. But interesting that they had distorted knowledge of what happened to the people of Nuh (as). They also had beliefs which stem from the story of Adam (as).
Also, about something I heard on the radio. It was the usual LEA or NUT man cites “major socialisation issues” with home education. Apart from the usual wondering “What on earth…?” I thought, probably there are socialisation issues, in that schools seek to socialise children into uniformity, all learning the same thing at the same time, fitting into the system. Home education is very “individual” and socialises differently. Maybe that lack of conformity is the major issue. The problem, as the authorities see it, is that children will not be moulded as they wish them to be. Being different, even in a productive, constructive way, is anti-social? It means you are not socialised to conform, accept and be as a cog should? Oh well, even less to worry about there then.
Ramadan Plate Photos
They do look better close up, and you can even read the writing on them too! I'll be saving them for next year, inshAllah.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Eid Mubarak
Can't believe it is Eid already. I haven't prepared anything! As usual. Allah is the best of planners.
Garden Sunshine
Alhamdulillah the boys have completed their target of 15 fasts. Now they are really in the mood for Eid! Getting very excited. So we are keeping it light today, just a few short sessions on a few topics.
Our quote for the plates today : “The Prophet (saw) went out of his house on the day of Fitr, prayed two rakat, and did not pray before or after it.” (Ibn Abbaas)
This is the evidence for there not being any sunnah prayer to go with the Eid prayer. I chose this quote mainly because it is short enough to go on the plate, as compared with other evidence about the Eid!
We wrapped up the science moving and growing topic today. I’ve done everything I can find on it, suitable for their level. Next we’ll do habitats, insh’Allah as the weather is still holding up, alhamdulillah, and we can still make use of the garden. Even today we’ve seen a pair of robins, a magpie at the bird table and a squirrel digging in the flowerbed. It always digs in the same spot. If I cover the hole over it soon gets dug again. I thought they dug to bury something? What could be there in the same shallow hole each time? I can’t see anything?
The garden is still looking scruffy, and the grass has been worn away so much where the boys play cricket. The batting pitch is a muddy puddle when it rains, and the bowling run up is not much better. But there are still new flowers coming, a tiny pink one in the rockery, tiny white ones on a big bush and even a new chrysanthemum. I don’t know much about garden plants, least of all most of their names! Today U has taken me for a “feely” walk round the garden, during which she wanted to touch different flowers and leaves.
Our quote for the plates today : “The Prophet (saw) went out of his house on the day of Fitr, prayed two rakat, and did not pray before or after it.” (Ibn Abbaas)
This is the evidence for there not being any sunnah prayer to go with the Eid prayer. I chose this quote mainly because it is short enough to go on the plate, as compared with other evidence about the Eid!
We wrapped up the science moving and growing topic today. I’ve done everything I can find on it, suitable for their level. Next we’ll do habitats, insh’Allah as the weather is still holding up, alhamdulillah, and we can still make use of the garden. Even today we’ve seen a pair of robins, a magpie at the bird table and a squirrel digging in the flowerbed. It always digs in the same spot. If I cover the hole over it soon gets dug again. I thought they dug to bury something? What could be there in the same shallow hole each time? I can’t see anything?
The garden is still looking scruffy, and the grass has been worn away so much where the boys play cricket. The batting pitch is a muddy puddle when it rains, and the bowling run up is not much better. But there are still new flowers coming, a tiny pink one in the rockery, tiny white ones on a big bush and even a new chrysanthemum. I don’t know much about garden plants, least of all most of their names! Today U has taken me for a “feely” walk round the garden, during which she wanted to touch different flowers and leaves.
Monday, October 08, 2007
No more photos
Until I get a new battery for the camera.
Last week ended with pleasant weather, so we went to the park and woody hill, as previously postponed. The bigger 3 had several races down the long grassy hill, with lots of “falling over” and grass stains on sleeves.
This morning we have observed the movement of an earthworm. This is part of the moving and growing topic. The boys had some trouble finding any worms, then the first one appeared half dead. The idea was to show how the worm uses muscles to move.
Today’s Ramadan plate was extra sparkly, with plastic jewels. We have about 35 plates on the walls now (including U’s) and I’m happily surprised that everyone has maintained interest in making them throughout the month, alhamdulillah. Actually U is so into the routine now that she gets the blank plates out of the drawer for everyone herself.
Today’s quote “”Whoever stands in prayer in Lailatul-Qadr out of faith and seeking reward then his previous sins are forgiven” (Bukhari)
Rather belatedly, being the month that it is, I’ve got the boys to include 10 minutes each per day with the Quran “computer tutor”, in addition to their other recitation. I hope, insh’Allah, this will be a way of expanding their Quran study, and that we can sustain it. Its only 10 minutes a day (for now!) but insh’Allah even this modest amount is better than nothing.
Last week ended with pleasant weather, so we went to the park and woody hill, as previously postponed. The bigger 3 had several races down the long grassy hill, with lots of “falling over” and grass stains on sleeves.
This morning we have observed the movement of an earthworm. This is part of the moving and growing topic. The boys had some trouble finding any worms, then the first one appeared half dead. The idea was to show how the worm uses muscles to move.
Today’s Ramadan plate was extra sparkly, with plastic jewels. We have about 35 plates on the walls now (including U’s) and I’m happily surprised that everyone has maintained interest in making them throughout the month, alhamdulillah. Actually U is so into the routine now that she gets the blank plates out of the drawer for everyone herself.
Today’s quote “”Whoever stands in prayer in Lailatul-Qadr out of faith and seeking reward then his previous sins are forgiven” (Bukhari)
Rather belatedly, being the month that it is, I’ve got the boys to include 10 minutes each per day with the Quran “computer tutor”, in addition to their other recitation. I hope, insh’Allah, this will be a way of expanding their Quran study, and that we can sustain it. Its only 10 minutes a day (for now!) but insh’Allah even this modest amount is better than nothing.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Still Learning
We've had some lovely time meeting with friends recently. And otherwise, we continue as usual, alhamdulillah. I can't complain, not at all, alhamdulillah this quiet and settled period of life is a blessing, when you think of the turmoil and suffering around the world, and nearer by too.
It does leave me with not much to write about!
For the last two days the boys have been writing long stories. I can see the influence of books they have recently read in the style. After last week's intensive work on direct and reported speech, their grammar was better, but they still forgot to start a new line for every new speaker. The textbook would have them draft writing out twice before making a neat copy. Surely this just tempts young writers to cut their stories short, if they think they have to copy it out again? Obviously that's what happens in the real world of published writing, rewrites, alterations, corrections. But what about the fake world of exams, where there is no time to correct? That's the dilema of the textbook style I suppose. Prepare them for writing, or prepare them for exams? I'm not worrying about it myself, I'm just wondering what the rationale is. I'm just looking for a balance between creativity and accuracy.
That reminds me. Just as the paper could go through the printer again, it ran out of ink. But, alhamdulillah this has a good side because I thought of doing something different as a result. I downloaded worksheets , and they filled them in on the computer. Maybe this is obvious - but it took an ink shortage for me to break away from the thought that everything has to be printed out. This is probably because I went to school before computers got into the curriculum.
Which leads me to my other recent thoughts, that I must DO MORE. I must look for more new ways of working. I must move forward.
Today's quote on the Ramadan plates was
"Fasting is a shield by which a servant protects himself from the fire."
It does leave me with not much to write about!
For the last two days the boys have been writing long stories. I can see the influence of books they have recently read in the style. After last week's intensive work on direct and reported speech, their grammar was better, but they still forgot to start a new line for every new speaker. The textbook would have them draft writing out twice before making a neat copy. Surely this just tempts young writers to cut their stories short, if they think they have to copy it out again? Obviously that's what happens in the real world of published writing, rewrites, alterations, corrections. But what about the fake world of exams, where there is no time to correct? That's the dilema of the textbook style I suppose. Prepare them for writing, or prepare them for exams? I'm not worrying about it myself, I'm just wondering what the rationale is. I'm just looking for a balance between creativity and accuracy.
That reminds me. Just as the paper could go through the printer again, it ran out of ink. But, alhamdulillah this has a good side because I thought of doing something different as a result. I downloaded worksheets , and they filled them in on the computer. Maybe this is obvious - but it took an ink shortage for me to break away from the thought that everything has to be printed out. This is probably because I went to school before computers got into the curriculum.
Which leads me to my other recent thoughts, that I must DO MORE. I must look for more new ways of working. I must move forward.
Today's quote on the Ramadan plates was
"Fasting is a shield by which a servant protects himself from the fire."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)