Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Mathcounts Competition 2008

This year, we joined the Mathcounts Competition 2008.

In Connecticut, the Mathcounts Competition was in:

  • 1. New Haven Chapter
    The New Haven Chapter MATHCOUNTS Competition was held on Saturday, February 2, 2008, from 8am-2pm, at Yale University, Linsly-Chittend en Hall, Room LC-102, in New Haven, Connecticut.

  • 2. The Greater Hartford Chapter

    The 2008 Greater Hartford Chapter MATHCOUNTS Competition was held at the University of Hartford on February 2, 2008.


You can find the MATHCOUNTS website which describes the MATHCOUNTS Program and has answers to the frequently asked questions in
here.

Alhamdulillah, Our Muslim homeschooled students participated on Mathcounts 2008.
They learned and worked hard to do all the problems of the week in this mathcounts.

The watch and play along for the Mathcounts competition is in Mathcounts National Competitions WEB CAST.

To learn from the archive and the problem of the week is in here.

My kids said that The AMC8 Contest was much easier than Mathcounts Competition.
I think all the contests or competitions will help kids to answer the SAT/ACT test in the same time.
Insha Allah, next year, they will try again. It is very good exercises for Math words problems. It helps them solve in critical thinking way. If your kids loves Math, he/she should love all this Math contests.
Mathematics is my kids' favorite subject.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Why did Allah Create Us?


Brain

"And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me."
(Qur'an surah Adh-Dhariyat 51:56)

It is He Who has created hearing, sight and hearts for you.
What little thanks you show!
(Qur'an Surat al-Mu'minun 23:78)

O man! what has deluded you in respect of your Noble Lord?
He Who created you and formed you and proportioned you
and assembled you in whatever way He willed.
(Qur'an Surat al-Infitar 82:6-8)

That is Allah, your Lord. There is no god but Him, the Creator of everything.
So worship Him. He is responsible for everything.
Eyesight cannot perceive Him but He perceives eyesight.
He is the All-Penetrating, the All-Aware.
(Qur'an Surat al-An'am 6:102-103)

Say: "Who is the Lord of the heavens and the earth?"
Say: "Allah." Say: "So why have you taken protectors apart from Him who possess no power to help or harm themselves?"
Say: "Are the blind and seeing equal? Or are darkness and light the same?
Or have they assigned partners to Allah who create as He creates,
so that all creating seems the same to them?"
Say: "Allah is the Creator of everything.
He is the One, the All-Conquering.'
(Qur'an Surat ar-Ra'd 13:16)

That is Allah, your Lord.
There is no god but Him, the Creator of everything.
So worship Him. He is responsible for everything.
(Qur'an Surat al-An'am 6:102)

It is He Who forms you in the womb however He wills. There is no god but Him, the Almighty, the All-Wise.
(Qur'an Surah Ali Imran 3: 6)
==============



I teach the kids about "Why did Allah create us?"
My kids learn about Human Biology and Human Anatomy Online. In the same time, they learn about creation of Allah.
They also want to learn about all about the gross and cool stuff humans' bodies create--burps, snores, gas and more.

For small kids, they can learn All about My Body

The kids listen to this 7 minutes lecture Why did Allah create us?.


The online book that kids can read is about
Miracle of Our Bodies by Harun Yahya.

Insha Allah, our kids will learn and understand that why Allah created us.


There are other books and articles that your kids maybe want to read:
1.
Here is Our Bodies
2. Allah Created All of Us
3. "On the Sensory Characteristics of the Skin and The Qur'aan on the Cerebrum."
4. Night Prayer and the Human Body Clock by Harun Yahya
5.
The Miracle in the Defence System by Harun Yahya
6.
The Miracle Of The Immune System by Harun Yahya
7.
The Enemies Of The System by Harun Yahya
8.
The Miracle Of Human Creation
9.
The Weapon Factories of the Human Body: The B Cells
10.
Qur'an: First Revealed The Fact Of Blood Circulation In Human Body
11.
Blood: Life-Giving Fluid


Other assignments that I give to the kids are:

- making the report or summary what they had been read.
- making poster one of the systems of our body.
- answering the worksheets.
You can find the worksheets from enchanted learning, edhelper, and other worksheets (please see the links below.)

The kids also love to play,
Interactive Games and Fun about all the system and Interactive: The Body
You can find more games in
Human Body Games.

There are so many other resources:
1.
video and game: The Incredicle Human Machine
2.
skeleton Craft for kids
3.
Worksheets Human Body
4.
Science Human Body
5.
Teachers Guide for Human Body
6.
Science, Math , and Technology Curriculum
7.
Science Source
8.
Human Anatomy Online
9.
Enchanted Learning: Human Anatomy
10.
Tour of Human Body
11.
Body Quest
12.
Get Body Smart
13.
Anatomy of Body Online
14.
Neuroscience for Kids
15.
The Human Heart
16.
Body Quest
17.
Human Body Board Game
18.
Chld Care Theme(find in the sectionAll About Me)
19.
Human Body
20.
Human Body Links
21.
The Human Body Links

Some of the interactive games:
1.
Human Body
2.
Interactive games: The Human Body
Don't forget to turn OFF the music
3. Interactive Body
4.
Interactive games: The Human Body
5. Word Search: Part Of Body Online

Monday, February 25, 2008

Energy Efficiency Education Field Trip



"O children of Adam, take your adornment [i.e., wear your clothing] at every masjid, and eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess."
(surah Al-A'raf 7:31)

[Allah is] the Originator of the heavens and Earth. When He decides on something, He just says to it, “Be!” and it is.
(Surat al-Baqara: 117)
=============
Assalamualaikum,

On last Thursday, Feb. 21, We went to
The SmartLiving Center

The kids really enjoyed and learned there.
They learned alot of things about :
- the electricity,
- the energy form,
- the calculating and measuring the energy usage,
- energy efficiency,
- energy transformation,
- energy conservation,
- energy usage and the environment,
- impact of human activity on habitats,
- physical properties of matter,
- properties of light and sound,
- circuits,
- conductors and non conductors,
- magnetism and electomagnetism,
- etc.

The next program is about Earth Day 2008 , Insha Allah it will be on April 12, 2008 in Ansonia Nature Center.

For the one who wants to read Harun Yahya books, this is the link,
The Miracle Of Electricity In The Body

To learn more about Energy and others Science, please click below:
1.
Energy Efficiency World: Learn about Energy
2.
Chemistry Basics
3.
Science Online
4.
Properties of Matter
5.
What is Matter?
6.
Electricity Generating Technologies
7.
What is Electricity?
8.
Article: Sony Develops 'Bio Battery' Generating Electricity from Sugar
9.
Discover How Solar Energy Can Help Save Both Money And The Environment
10. Alot of Links from Discovery Solar Energy
11.
What does it cost our energy at home?
12.
Electomagnetism
13.
Basic Circuit
14.
Electrical Circuit
15.
Light and Sound
16.
Learn Energy Transformation
17.
Learn Energy Facts
18.
Generating Electrons
19.
Kids Saving Energy
20.
Energy Efficiency Links
21.
Webresources for Kids: Energy Links
22.
TVA for Kids
23.
Making Energy Fun and Safe

To watch the videos:
1.
Renewable Energy
2.
Solar Basic
3. Physics with MIT edu

Saturday, February 23, 2008

The Day of Judgement is Coming


"And [that they may know] that the Hour is coming - no doubt about it - and that Allah will resurrect those in the graves."
(Surah Al-Hajj 22:7)

"They ask you, [O Muhammad], about the Hour: when is its arrival?
In what [position] are you that you should mention it?
You are only a warner for those who fear it.
It will be, on the Day they see it, as though they had not remained [in the world] except for an afternoon or a morning thereof."

(Surah An-Nazi'at 79:42-46)

"They ask you, [O Muhammad], about the Hour: when is its arrival? Say, "Its knowledge is only with my Lord. None will reveal its time except Him. It lays heavily upon the heavens and the earth. It will not come upon you except unexpectedly." They ask you as if you are familiar with it. Say, "Its knowledge is only with Allah, but most of the people do not know."
(Surah Al-A'raf 7:187)
==============

The Day of Judgement is one of the six pillars of Belief in Islam.
We have to believe that The Day of Judgement is coming and we have to prepare for that.

Insha Allah, the videos, the articles, and the books that are listed in here can
give more knowledge and more understanding about The Day of Judgement.

May Allah always give us the strength Iman and guide us in the right path. Ameen.

Here more about The Day of Judgement,
please click on the books and articles below:
1. Harun Yahya: The Day of Judgement
2.
Death And The Life Of The Hereafter
3.
The Day of Judgement
4.
Major Signs before the Day of Judgement
5. The Signs Before the Day of Judgement
6.
The Physics of The Day of Judgement
7.
Islam's 50signs of Judgement day in chronological order
8. Articles of The Day of Judgement



To watch the other videos about The Day of Judgement,
please click on below links:
1. Sheikh Shady: Islam Lecture Day of Judgement part 1-5 (10 minutes each)
2.
Minor Signs B4 The Day of Judgement part 1-4 (10 min each)
3.
Minor Signs B4 The Day of Judgement part 5-9
4.
Major Signs B4 The Day of Judgement part 1-5 (10 min each)
5.
Harun Yahya Videos: Signs The Day of Judgement (5 videos)


Saturday, February 16, 2008

Total Lunar Eclipse in Islam, February 20




"And among His Signs are the night and the day, the sun and the moon. Prostrate neither to the sun nor to the moon,
but prostrate to Allah who created them,
if it is truly Him you worship."
(Surat Fussilat, the Signs Explained)

"When the sight is dazed, and the moon is buried in darkness,
and the sun and moon are joined together:
Man will say on that day, ‘Where is the refuge?’"
(Surat al-Qiyamah, the Resurrection)
================

Insha Allah, on Wednesday night, Feb. 20, 2008, for the Americas, and on the morning of the 21st for Europe and West Africa, the moon will become completely immersed in the Earth's shadow, resulting in a total lunar eclipse.

Astronomers have said that a total lunar eclipse would be visible in many parts of the world.
The total phase will last 51-minutes and would begin at 10:01 p.m. EST.

The next total lunar eclipse will be December 20–21, 2010, Insha Allah.

============


What should Muslim do during an Eclipse?

We, as Muslim, should

- remembering Allah during an eclipse,
- ask forgiveness and patient,
- making dua
- charity
- and perforrming a salaatul-Kusuuf in congregation.


What does an eclipse mean to Muslim?

There are several meanings to Muslim. An eclipse is:
1.
A sign of the majesty and power of Allah.

Narrated Abu Masud: The Prophet said, "The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of the death of someone from the people but they are two signs amongst the signs of Allah. When you see them, stand up and pray."

2. A sign of darkness and fear. Muslim should do dzikir and make alot of doa/supplication to Allah for patience and seeking forgiveness.

Narrated Abu Bakra:Allah's Apostle said: "The sun and the moon are two signs amongst the signs of Allah and they do not eclipse because of the death of someone but Allah frightens His devotees with them."

"The Sun and the Moon are two of the Signs (Ayat) of Allah: they do not darken for the death or birth of any person, but Allah strikes fear into His servants by means of them. So when you see them darken, remember and mention Allah, declare His Greatness, offer prayer, give in charity, and supplicate to Him and seek His forgiveness."

3. A reminder of the Day of Judgment.

Narrated Abu Musa: The sun eclipsed and the Prophet got up, being afraid that it might be the Hour (i.e. Day of Judgment). He went to the Mosque and offered a prayer with the longest Qiyam, bowing and prostration that I had ever seen him doing. Then he said, "These signs which Allah sends do not occur because of the life or death of somebody, but Allah makes His worshipers afraid by them. So when you see anything thereof, proceed to remember Allah, invoke Him and ask for His forgiveness."

What is the sunnah regarding an eclipse?

At a time of a solar or lunar eclipse, the sunnah is to pray Nafl a salatul-kusuf that is performed by the Muslim community in congregation.

Narrated 'Aisha :
In the life-time of Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) the sun eclipsed, so he led the people in prayer, and stood up and performed a long Qiyam, then bowed for a long while. He stood up again and performed a long Qiyam but this time the period of standing was shorter than the first. He bowed again for a long time but shorter than the first one, then he prostrated and prolonged the prostration. He did the same in the second Raka as he did in the first and then finished the prayer; by then the sun (eclipse) had cleared. He delivered the Khutba (sermon) and after praising and glorifying Allah he said, "The sun and the moon are two signs against the signs of Allah; they do not eclipse on the death or life of anyone. So when you see the eclipse, remember Allah and say Takbir, pray and give Sadaqa." The Prophet then said, "O followers of Muhammad! By Allah! There is none who has more ghaira (self-respect) than Allah as He has forbidden that His slaves, male or female commit adultery (illegal sexual intercourse). O followers of Muhammad! By Allah! If you knew that which I know you would laugh little and weep much.

Narrated 'Aisha:
In the lifetime of the Prophet the sun eclipsed and the Prophet (p.b.u.h) stood up to offer the prayer with the people and recited a long recitation, then he performed a prolonged bowing, and then lifted his head and recited a prolonged recitation which was shorter than the first. Then he performed a prolonged bowing which was shorter than the first and then lifted his head and performed two prostrations. He then stood up for the second Raka and offered it like the first. Then he stood up and said, "The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of someone's life or death but they are two signs amongst the signs of Allah which He shows to His worshipers. So whenever you see them, make haste for the prayer."


How to perform A Salaatul-Kusoof

The Solar Eclipse Prayer is an emphatic Sunnah for both male and female believers. It is better to offer it congregationally in the masjid. Its time is from the beginning of the eclipse till it clears away. There is no Adhaan for the prayer, but it should be announced, as stated earlier, with Assalaatu Jaami'ah.

According to the Hadeeth, narrated by 'Aaishah (r.'a.), the Solar Eclipse Prayer is two raka'aats; however, there are two rukuu'uus (bowing down) in each raka'ah instead of one.

In the first raka'ah, one recites after Al-Faatihah, a long or short suurah. One then says Allahu Akbar and bows down in a long rukuu'u. As one raises up, one says:

Sami'allahu liman hamidah
Rabbana lakal hamd

One then says Allahu Akbar and bows down for a second, not so long, Rukuu'u. As one raises up one says:

Sami'allaahu liman hamidah
Rabbanaa lakal hamd.

As one resumes Qiyaam, one says Allahu Akbar and falls down in prostration. One begins the second raka'ah by saying Allaahu Akbar. The second raka'ah should be observed like the first one.

It is Sunnah to recite lengthy surahs in such prayers and stay longer in Ruku and Sajdah. It is optional to recite aloud or quietly.

After the prayer, the Imaam may give a guiding Khutbah.

The Lunar Eclipse Prayer is the same as the Solar Eclipse Prayer.

Note: If for some reason, the Imaam is not available, then people should perform Salaah individually.


Activity for Kids: Try making your own solar system

Use a large camping flashlight to act as the Sun in an otherwise unlit room.
A table lamp will do if you're not the outdoorsy type. Place an apple on the table to represent Earth.

I recommend a golf ball as the model Moon -- it's highly reflective and has crater-like pits for added realism.

Move the golf ball counterclockwise around the apple and watch how sunlight shines on it. One circle represents a full lunar cycle -- not quite a month on the calendar. Inspect what part of the golf ball is lit from the perspective of a worm on the apple, and note whether it is daytime or nighttime wherever you'd like to imagine the worm to be.

Your model solar system should help illuminate celestial rhythms, revealing where the Moon really goes.

Please don't forget sholat and making alot of doa, Nasheed: My Ummah by Sami Yusuf .

May Allah always help and guide us in the right path. Ameen.

Sources:
1. Animated: Total Lunar Eclipse Feb 20-21, 2008
2.
Salaatul Kusuuf (The Solar Eclipse Prayer)
3.
Lunar Eclipse
4.
Hadiths: Islam and Eclipse
5.
Solar/Lunar Eclipse in Islam
6.
Solar and Lunar Eclipse
7.
Islam and the Solar Eclipse
8.
Total Lunar Eclipse
9.
Space.com: Total Lunar Eclipse
10.
Total Lunar Eclipse
11.
February 20th's Eclipse of the Moon
12.
The Moon
13.
How a Lunar Eclipse Saved Columbus

Friday, February 8, 2008

Learn about Manner and Descriptions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

“O you who have believed, fear ALlah and be with those who are true.”
(Al Quran 9:119).
=====================

Last night, I got sad news that my old friend in my country
passed a way last month.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi Rojiun.
Soon or later, we are going to have our turn to return to Allah.
Nobody know when the angel death is coming to us. Every minutes there is always people passed a way.
As Muslim, we have to prepare and get ready anytime.

Then my husband asked my kids to read Al Quran with translation about surah Al Imran ayah 106-109.

"Oh the Day [some] faces will turn white and [some] faces will turn black.
As for those whose faces turn black, [to them it will said],
"Did you disbelieve [i.e.' reject faith] after your belief?
Then taste the punishment for what you used to reject."
(Al Quran 3:106)

"But as for those whose faces turn white,
[they will be] within the mercy of Allah.
They will abide therein eternally."
(Al Quran 3:107)

"These are verses of Allah.
We recite them to you, [O Muhammad]' in truth;
and Allah wants no injustice to the worlds [i.e.' His crreatures]."
(Al Quran 3:108)

"To Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens
and whatever is on the earth.
And to Allah will [all matters be returned]."
(Al Quran 3:109)

After reading these verses above, my kids learned that we have to do good deeds in this world to prepeare for the next life. The faces of people in paradise will be white, and also handsome and beautiful.
If we are doing bad deeds in this world then
our faces will be black which will be burned by fire.

Alhamdulillah, the kids, my husband, and I always love to sit together and learn about Al Quran, sometimes we read some hadiths, too.
Insha Allah, You will do it to your kids at home.
May Allah always bless us and guide us in the right path. Ameen.
=============================

For Islamic Studies:

Let's learn about Manner and Descriptions of Prophet Muhammad SAW.

Amr Ibn Al-Harith, a brother-in-law of the Prophet (pbuh), says that
when the Prophet died, he did not leave a cent, a slave man or woman, or any property except his white mule, his weapons and a piece of land which he had dedicated for the good of the community.
[Sahih Bukhari]

He was always the first to greet another and would not withdraw his hand from a handshake till the other man withdrew his. If one wanted to say something in his ears, he would not turn away till one had finished.
[Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi]

He did not like people to get up for him and used to say, "Let him who likes people to stand up in his honour, he should seek a place in hell."
[Abu Dawud]

He used to visit the poorest of ailing persons and exhorted all Muslims to do likewise.
[Sahih Bukhari]

He would sit with the humblest of persons saying that righteousness alone was the criterion of one's superiority over another. He invariably invited people be they slaves, servants or the poorest believers, to partake with him of his scanty meals.
[Tirmidhi]

"He would then offer chaste prayers and go home and get busy with household work."
(Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmizi)


On the authority of Ali, Tirmidhi has recorded that the Prophet (pbuh) had carefully apportioned his time according to the demands on him for offering worship to Allah public affairs, and personal matters.

Some of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)'s descriptions are:
1. His Appearance
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was of a height a little above the average. He was of sturdy build with long muscular limbs and tapering fingers. The hair of his head was long and thick with some waves in them. His forehead was large and prominent, his eyelashes were long and thick, his nose was sloping, his mouth was somewhat large and his teeth were well set. His cheeks were spare and he had a pleasant smile. His eyes were large and black with a touch of brown.
2. His dress generally consisted of a shirt, tamad (trousers), a sheet thrown round the shoulders and a turban.
3. His house was but a hut with walls of unbaked clay and a thatched roof of palm leaves covered by camel skin.
4. His a pillow stuffed with palm leaves.
5. His blanket had several patches.
6. His character was:
- gentle,
- charming,
- kind-hearted,
- politeness,
- courtesy,
- compassion,
- tenderness,
- simplicity,
- humility,
- sympathy,
- and sincerity.
His manner was perfect.
7. He was especially fond of children. He would pick up children in his arms, play with them, and kiss them.
8. He preached to the people to trust in Allah (SWT).
9. The Prophet (pbuh) asked people to be just and kind.
10. He mixed with everyone on equal term. He ate with slaves, servants and the poorest on the same sheet.
11. He showed kindness to each other and to all living souls.
12. He treated the poor kindly and to help them with alms, Zakat, and in other ways.

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was the perfect human in this world.
We are not perfect but we should always trying to be perfect as best as we could.

Sources: Description of Prophet Muhammad SAW


=================================

For Al Quran:
1.
Al Quran Flash

Let memorize Al Quran (099)surah Az Zalzalah (The Earthquake):
1.
Surah Az Zalzalah
2.
Surah Az Zalzalah
3.
Surat Az Zalzalah (99)
4. Yaasir Ad Dosari- Surah Az Zalzalah
5.
Surah Az-Zalzalah [099] Sheikh Maahir
6. Surah Az Zalzalah
7.
Surah Az Zalzalah
8.
Surat Az-Zalzala(The Earthquake)

=================================

For Math:
Let's learn Whole Number.
1.Electronic Abascus
This applet explores the use of an abacus model for representing numbers and for performing addition.
2.
Factor Game
The Factor Game is a fun, interactive game that exercises your factoring ability. You can play against the computer or against a friend.
3. Math Wheel The boys
love to play this game.
================================

For Language Arts:
Let's learn grammar.
1.
Learn to Make Sentences
2.
Learn to put sentences together
3.
Getting the Right Tense
4.
Verb Subject Agreement
5.
Punctuation: Commas
6.
Instructions
7.
Adjectives
8.
Personnal Pronouns
9.
Adverbs
10.
Apostrophes
11.
Double Negatives

============================
For Science:
1.
An Adventure in Protozoan Art
Learn about "The Creatures That Live in Your Pond."
2.
The Great Backyard Bird Count
It offers an incredible opportunity for your family to participate in a real scientific research study on wild bird populations - just by counting the birds you see in your own backyard and reporting your results by following the directions at the GBBC website.

============================
For Geography:
1.
Stateris Games
The game consist three level: easy, medium, and hard.
Statetris is an interesting game mixing aspects of the popular game 'Tetris' and geography. Instead of positioning the typical Tetris blocks, you position states/countries at their proper location.
Try: Africa, Brazil, Europe, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, South Carolina UK, USA.

My kids love to play this game.
2.
Country Studies from A to Z
You choose the country to study from A to Z.

============================

For Social Studies:
1.
People chart - Timeline from -1000 BC to 2000
2. World History Civilization
For middle and high school.
============================

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Valentine's Day and Muslim Kids

" ...and whoever transgresses the bounds of Allaah, he has wronged his own self,"
[Al Quran Soorah at-Talaaq, Aayah 1]

"... and co-operate with one another in righteousness and piety, and do not co-operate in sin and transgression. And fear Allaah! Verily Allaah is severe in punishment,"

[Al Quran Soorah al-Maa.idah, Aayah 2]

Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) that he said: "Whoever imitates a people is one of them."

=======================

What is Valentine's Day?

Valentine's Day, or St Valentine's Day, is celebrated every year on 14 February.
It's the day when people show their affection for another person (or people!) by sending anonymous cards, flowers or chocolates with messages of love.

In public school, they celebrate this Valentine's day.

We, as Muslim, are not to imitate this non Muslim celebration.
Please read more about
History and Islamic perspective about Valentine's Day.

For Homeschool kids, they also need to understand why we are not celebrating this day.

My kids and their friends are talking about this Valentine's day.
The kids love to imitate their friends.

Celebrating the Valentine's day is not permissible in Muslim. It is an innovated holiday that has no basis in the Sharee`ah.

The Islamic scholars have to give lecture about how people should understand and relate to these events that surround all of us.

This is an important for Muslims residing in the Western, predominantly Christian, countries, who want to convey Islam to their children and to many non-Muslims who are unaware of the background of their celebrations.

Holiday Myths is also important for those living in Muslim countries, where globalization has brought Western customs and traditions to homes. Muslims now know what Valentine's Day is and a number of newspapers in Muslim countries even encourage readers to send in a Valentine's Message to a loved one.

We, as parent, have to be involved in all our kids' activities with their friends.

Here are some of advices that you can teach to your kids are:

- Explaining why we can not celebrate this day.
Let them read the article or hear the lecture about the history of this celebrations.
Please see the articles and video below.

- Explaining the two Muslim's celebrations are Eid Fitr and Eid Adha.

- Explaining them that all celebrations need alot of money to spend.
I told my kids from economy point of view.
The businessman have to sell their products. They create the business to make money from this celebration. How much money can they make by selling the cards, selling the flowers, and selling candies or chocolate?

From here, they will surprise that alot of money to spend only to celebrate this days.
Now with the same money, How many poor people can you help their life who do not have the foods to eat everyday?

My kids learn and help other people in the same time.

- Explaining about how Muslim should show their love to other, such as be generous, be nice, be kind and helpful, be the first to greet, etc.
Please read more in article
How to Win Hearts.

Insha Allah, Our kids will understand why we do not celebrate non Muslim holidays.

Sources:
1.
Valentine's Day - History and Islamic Perspective
2. Another good article How to Win Hearts

To watch video:
1.
Who invented Valentines Day? -Sheikh Hakim Quick (Video)

========================

For Hadith this week:

Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) who quotes the Prophet as saying: 'A Muslim has a right against his fellow Muslim in six ways.' Asked what were these, the Prophet said:
'(1)When you meet him, greet him;
(2) if he invites you, accept his invitation;
(3) if he seeks your advice, give him an honest and sincere advice;
(4) if he sneezes and praises God, bless him;
(5) if he falls ill, visit him; and
(6) if he dies, attend his funeral.'
[Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim]

===================================

And I want to review with the kids about "What should we say?" in our daily use.

Assalaamu Alaykum (Peace be upon you) - by way of greetings

Wa alaykumus salaam (peace be upon you) - in reply to the greetings

Bismillah (in the name of Allah) - before making a beginning

Jazakallah (may Allah reward you) - for expression of thanks

Fi Amanullah (may Allah protect you) - by way of saying good-bye

Subhaanallah (glory be to Allah) - for praising something

Insha Allah (if Allah wishes) - for expressing a desire to do something

Astaghfirullah (I beg Allah for forgiveness) - repenting for sins before Allah

Maa shaa Allah (as Allah has willed) - for expressing appreciation of something good

Alhamdulillah (praise be to Allah) - for showing gratitude to Allah after success or even after completing anything

Yaa Allah (Oh Allah) - when in pain or distress, calling upon Allah and none else

Aameen (may it be so) - the end of a Dua or prayer

Innaa lillaahi wa innaa ilayhi raaji'oon (to Allah we belong and to Him is our return) - this is uttered as an expression of sympathy of the news of some loss or some one's death.


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For Quran:

Let memorize surah At Takathur and Surah At Taghabun.

Surah Al Takathur
1. At Takathur (Al Quran 102
2.
At Takathur and Translation
3.
AbdurRahman Al Sudais: At Takathur
4.
At takathur and Translation
5.
Surah At Takathur (102)
6.
At Takathur Recitation

Surah At Taghabun:
1. AbdulRahman As-Sudais, Surat At-Taghabun
2. Surah 064 - Al Taghabun Saood Shuraim
3. Surah At Taghabun (Al Quran 64)
4.
Surah At Taghabun - Barakatullah
5.
Surah At Tagabun - Sheik AbdurRahman
6.
Surat At- Taghabun Shiekh Mishary Al- Afasy


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For Islamic Studies:

1. Salaam Greeting

Umar (radiAllahu anhu) reports that he was riding with Abu Bakr (radiAllahu anhu) on one mount. When they passed by people, Abu Bakr (radiAllahu anhu) greeted them saying: 'Assalamu alaikum' and they replied: 'Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatu Allah.'

2. Our story sahabah for the week is:
Story of Umayr Ibn Saad Al-Ansari.
My youngest son is reading it now.
I hope you are going to read it with your kids, too.

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For Maths:
In the last two weeks, we were busy on Test prep on Math, Language Arts, Reading Comprehension, Science, and preparing for Mathcounts.

1.
Math Links
The test Prep is from the above links, Ikhlas Homeschool Website.
I made the Prep Test about Number Concepts, Computation, and Math with Application (including Geomerty, Graphs, Measurement, Word Problems, Data Analysis, etc.)
2. My youngest daughter starts counting the Number from this link,

Math for Kindergarten
and from here,
Math counting
There is a game that she wants to do the Basic Counting.
She wants to do counting all the time.

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For Language Arts:
1. To learn Blends Sound
Blend Sounds Together
2. The test prep that we did took from the language arts link,
Language Arts Links
For age 7-18
The test prep on language Arts is covering the parts of speech, punctuation, word study, and other language skills, etc.)
2. My youngest daughter love to write, especially her name, from this link,
Writing Practice
For Kindergaten

She learns how to write her name and how to spell her name.

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For Science:
1.
Science Links
For age 7 - 18
Our test prep for Science is about Biology, such as Respiratory System, Excretory System, Reproductive System, Circulatory System, Nervous System, Skeletal System, Muscular System, Digestive System, etc.
2.
Science & Technology : The Nature of Science
For age 8 - 18
3.
Science & Technology: Earth Science
For age 8 - 18
4. My kids love to see this video about
Science & Technology: Maglev
For age 8 - 18.

It is about Maglev that is gliding on a wave of electromagnetic force, a maglev train could travel at 300 miles per hour or faster. Designer-engineers describe the mechanics and future benefits of such superconductor trains.
This is Our future transportation.

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For Geography:
1.
Capitals of Countries Worksheets
For age 7-14

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For Virtual Field Trip:
1.
Space Tour
Reguire Flash 4.

For age 7-18
2. 4-H Virtual Farm
Kids can visit a horse farm, a beef or dairy farm, a poultry farm, and a wheat farm. There's even a fish farm!


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