Ramadan Favourites

It's Ramadan! During this month almost everything changes in our homeschool. We stop our normal homeschool curriculum and turn our focus to learning more about Islam. 

The great thing about home-education, is that we can catch up with all the things we've missed later in the summer. For now, I felt it was important for the children to partake in the month, and a major part of that is changing the  focus of their school work.

Here are some of the products we have been using and enjoying in Ramadan. I'm so excited to share these with you all!

I'm also running another GIVEAWAY this month, so scroll down to the bottom of this blog post to enter :)

For an overview of all the products mentioned, please WATCH THIS video:

Ramadan Favourites

Ramadan Cookie Cutters

These cookie cutters are made by With A Spin . If you are in the U.K. like me, you can purchase them online from Silver Lining.

My kids and I have two sets:

- Islamic Shape Cookie Cutters: which includes a mosque, minaret, star and crescent moon.

- Interfaith Harmony Cookie Cutters: which includes a Christmas Tree, Hannukah Dreidel, Diwali Diya and Eid Lantern. 

The idea behind this particular set is:

"We hope to bring people together across divides of religion, culture and nationality with Love, Unity and Respect; one cookie at a time."

I love the concept!

The cookie cutters are really well made and come out cleanly from the dough, leaving a clear imprint of the shape.

We've used them to make some delicous Ramadan cookies,to cut out water-melon for iftar, as well as other art-and-craft activities.

Quran Memorization Cards

These cards are a fantastic way to encourage your children to memorise Quran! 

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you'll know that my son has just memorised the last ten Surahs of the Quran mashAllah! I believe that these Quran cards were a huge help to him whilst he was learning.

The cards contain the last ten surahs of the Quran; from Surah Al-Feel (105) to Surah An-Nas (114). Each cards contains the Arabic, a transliteration, a translation. The Tashkeel (vowel markings) are colour-coded to help with correct recitiation.

One feature that I really liked was that on the bottom of each card there is a hadith or brief explanation (tafseer) to encourage deeper understanding of that Surah.


These cards are laminated, making them incredibly sturdy, and are mounted on a steel ring. This was a great feature! It meant I didn't worry about my son leaving them on the floor or mistreating them. He knew that after he read from them, they were to be hung up above his desk. 

At the beginning of the set there is also a section on the virtues of memorising Quran and some of the etiquettes one should have when reciting. 

I purchased my set of Quran Memorization Cards from Ibraheem Toyhouse .

They've been an invaluable asset to our homeschool, and I'm looking forward to my younger son using them too.

I Love Islam Curriculum

This has to be the BEST Islamic curriculum for children that I have come across. 

We have been using it throughout the Academic year, but wanted to finish it off during Ramadan. 

It approaches teaching in a fun and interactive way, that my children have really enjoyed. Book 1 introduces children aged 5-7, to the fundamental principles in Islam.

I loved how the book uses fun characters to teach Tawheed in simple language, drawing on the Quran and Hadith of the Prophet (s.a.w.). Seerah, the five pillars, Islamic manners and etiquette are covered, as well as the Holy mosques and Islam around the world.

At the end of every chapter then are questions that can be answered and fun activities for your child to do.

This book also comes with a CD of nasheeds and Quranic stories to go along with the book. 

If you were to read one chapter a week, this book would last you the entire academic year insha'Allah! 

In fact, I'm so passionate about this series of books that I've started selling them myself! 

If you'd like more information about this curriculum, or would like to purchase it, please visit my SHOP.

SHOP AT: Homeschool Shop UK

If you'd prefer to purchase it from AmazonUK, HERE is the link. 
Or if your are in the U.S.A. HERE is the link for Amazon.com.

MiniTafseer Series For Children

This series of books by Ad-Duha Institute teaches tafseer (Explanation of the Quran) to children. 

They are worded very simply, so even young children will understand; and if your child is able to read themselves, they could do so independently. 

There is one book for each Surah. 

Inside they include facts about each Surah, inspiring stories of the Prophets, Arabic vocabulary and colouring pages/worksheets. 

The tafseer is based on that of Ibn-Kathir and everything is referenced with Quran or ahadith.

To be honest, they're not only for kids! I've learnt so much reading these to the children. Alhumdulillah!

We've been looking through most of the Tafseer books pictured above, and will be studying Surah al-Qadr during these last ten days.

   

Learning tafseer is a fantastic way for children, and adults, to attach their hearts to the book of Allah (swt). I highly recommend these books.

Quran Translation

This English translation of the Quran was recommended to me by my teachers, and so I wanted to pass that information on. 

It is published by Oxford University Press and is translated by M.A.S. Abdeel Haleem.

I have been told that this is the best English translation of the Quran available at the moment.

Modest Clothing for Nursing Mummies

I was recently introduced to the shop The Boutique Liverpool on Instagram. 

They specialise in modest, stylish and practical clothing for the mummies! The best thing part is that you can breast-feed in most of their clothing!

I love this piece called "The Drapes." It's lightweight, flattering, and has a concealed opening for nursing!

I also have an abaya from this shop which is suitable for breastfeeding too. I'll be sharing the photo of this piece on Instagram in the next few weeks insha'Allah! 

If you're nursing mum looking for something comfortable and practical, that is still flattering and stylish, check out The Boutique Liverpool.

I'm already planning what else I want to buy from them!

GIVEAWAY

It's Giveaway time!

This Ramadan I  wanted to share two of my favorites with one of you!!! 

I will be giving away:

- One copy of the I Love Islam Book 1 Curriculum with CD (RRP £23.99)
- Three books from the Ad-Duha Mini Tafseer series: Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and An-Naas (RRP £9.69)

The Ramadan 2016 Favourites Giveaway will run until Monday 3rd July 2016 at 12AM GMT.  
The giveaway is open Internationally.  
All entrants under the age of 18 must have parental permission to enter. 

Please aware that if entering overseas, you may be liable to pay customs tax (or the equivalent), so please check beforehand.

You can enter by following the directions in the Rafflecopter widget posted below (click HERE is you would like to know more about Rafflecopter).  

I’ll announce the winners on THIS blog post and contact them directly through email. The winner has 24 hours to respond, otherwise I will have to select another winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I hope you enjoyed seeing what products we've been using in our homeschool this month. 

I'd love to hear activities and products you have been using in your family this Ramadan.

Please let us all know in the comments below.

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See you next month insha'Allah!

In need of your duaas.

Peace and Love.