San Francisco Islamic School

1429 - 1430 AH /2008 - 2009CE

www.sfislamicschool.org

Curriculum

Objectives

The primary academic objective of the school is to introduce and instill the main teachings of Islam to our students by the time they are ready to enter high school. We use a very structured approach to teach Islam as a religion, and not as a set of cultural practices. A student who has attended 8 or more years of this weekend school should be competent in the following areas:

• Recitation of Quran: The objective of the school is to facilitate students’ reading of the Quran. This however requires very active follow-up by parents at home. Most parents who are serious about this but don’t have the time, are advised to also send their children to a supplementary class dedicated exclusively to the teaching of the recitation of the Quran. Children in 4th grade and higher are expected to be able to read Quran. Basic introduction to Quranic Arabic terms/phrases also provided.

• Arabic as a Language: Students are expected to be proficient in the Arabic language (verbal and written prose) after completion of levels 1-7 of the Arabic Language curriculum as outlined below.

• Memorization of Surahs & Duas: Memorize 15-20 Surahs (Audio Cassettes or CDs are provided for this purpose) and Duas related to Salaat and everyday affairs.

• Salaat: Goal is to make sure children know how to perform the Salaat before they get to an age when it becomes mandatory. Children in 6th grade and higher are expected to know how to perform Salaat.

• Quranic Studies: Basic Quranic Teachings. Study about Quran (Tafseer & Uloom-ul-Quran) at higher levels.

• Islamic Morals & Manners in the light of the Quran & the Hadith.

• Faith & Worship: Articles of Faith, Five Pillars and Worship of Allah (SWT).

• Introductory Fiqh: Basic Fiqh, Shariah & Usul-Fiqh.

• Seerah: Life history and Shama’il of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) - taught at various levels.

• Introductory Islamic History: Brief overview of the Islamic history (Khulfa-Rashidun, Omayyad & Abbasid periods, Muslims in Spain, Ottoman Period, Crusades, Islam in Africa & Islam in America).

• Introduction to Prophets: Stories of Prophets for smaller children.

• Introduction to Hadith: Introduction to the science of Hadith and some important Ahadith.

• Islam’s contributions to civilization - taught at the High school level.

General Daily Schedule

At each grade level, four subject areas are covered - two in the morning session (Arabic Language/Quranic Studies) and two in the afternoon session (Islamic Studies):

1. Quran/ Arabic Language

2. Faith & Worship

3. Seerah/Islamic Social Studies

4. Morals & Manners

The morning ‘Quranic Studies/ Arabic Language’ session focuses on learning Arabic (letters for beginners, reading and speaking for advanced levels), how to read the Quran, memorization and teachings of the Quran. This period is broken into 2 sections. Each section is approximately 35 minutes long with a 5 minute break in between. Students are not allowed to leave the room during this mini-break.

At the end of the morning session, there is a 30-minute recess for snacks, games and socialization.

The afternoon period is also divided into two parts: Seerah/Islamic Social Studies and Faith/Worship or Morals/Manners. Each section lasts for approximately 35 minutes with a 5-minute break in between. Again, students are not allowed to leave the room during the mini-break.

At the end of the second session students prepare for, and assemble for Dhuhr Prayers.

Curriculum Specifics

For children in lower grades (KG & 1^st Grade), teachers make extensive use of hands-on activities, story-telling and play-based activities.

For higher grades, more emphasis is placed on Teachings/Meaning of Quran (as opposed to recitation) and general Islamic History (in addition to the Seera of the Prophet - SAW).

Advanced subjects - including Fiqh, Science of Hadith and Islamic Akhlaq/Adab - are introduced at the Middle/High School level. Though the advanced classes use the same structured approach as the rest of school, they tend to be more discussion-oriented and deal with current events and topics of general interest to the older students.

Quranic Studies and Arabic Language will be divided by Levels not grades. This will be divided according to the Arabic assessment which is in the registration package.

Arabic Language and Quranic Studies Level 1:

Let’s Read and Write Arabic (1)

Easy Quran Reading

-Arabic Alphabet, Fatha, Kesra, Damma

Short Surahs Textbook and Workbook:

-Surahs covered,(recitation and meaning): Al Fatiha, An-Nas, Al-Falaq, Ikhlas

Arabic Language and Quranic Studies Level 2:

Let’s Read and Write Arabic (1)

Easy Quran Reading

-Review Fatha, Kesra, Damma

-Madd bil Alif, Madd bil Ya, Mad bil Waw, Tanween with Fatha, Tanweem with Kesra, Tanween with Damma

Short Surahs Textbook and Workbook:

-Surahs covered,(recitation and meaning): Al Lahab, Al-Kafirun, An-Nasr, Al-Kawthur

Arabic Language and Quranic Studies Level 3:

Easy Quran Reading

Let’s Read and Write Arabic (1)

-Sukoon and Shaddah

Short Surahs Textbook and Workbook:

-Surahs covered,(recitation and meaning): Al Maun, Quraish, Al-Fil, Ayah-tul Kursi

Arabic Language and Quranic Studies Level 4:

Let’s Read and Write Arabic (2)

Easy Quran Reading

- Shadda, Lam shamsia & Lam Qamariya, ta marbuta, hamza tul wasl, Idhar, Idgham, Ikhfa, meem sakina, madd mutasil, madd munfasil

Short Surahs Textbook and Workbook:

-Surahs covered,(recitation and meaning): Al Humazah, Al-Asr, At-Takathur, Al-Qariah

Arabic Language and Quranic Studies Level 5

Let’s Read and Write Arabic (2)

Easy Quran Reading

Juz Ammah: 30 Textbook: Vol 1

-Surahs covered,(recitation and meaning): Al-Adiyat, Az-Zalzalah, Al-Bayyinah, Al-Qadr

Arabic Language and Quranic Studies Level 6

Let’s Read and Write Arabic (2)

Easy Quran Reading

Juz Ammah: 30 Textbook: Vol 1

-Surahs covered, (recitation and meaning): Al-Alaq, At-Tin, Al-Inshirah, Ad-Duha

Arabic Language and Quranic Studies Level 7

Let’s Read and Write Arabic (2)

Easy Quran Reading

Juz Ammah: 30 Textbook: Vol 1

- Surahs covered, (recitation and meaning): Al-Lail, Ash-Shams, Al-Balad

 

Kindergarten	Grade 1
Islamic Studies Our Religion is Islam: - With units covering: Our Identity, Our Beliefs, Our Practices, and Morals and Manners	Islamic Studies I Love Islam- Level 1 - With units covering: My Beloved God, My Great Prophet, Worshipping Allah, My Muslim World, and My Muslim Manners
Grade 2	Grade 3
Islamic Studies I Love Islam- Level 2 - With units covering: Iman In My Life, I Love Mohammad, Born to Worship, Islam In the World, and My Muslim Manners	Islamic Studies I Love Islam- Level 3 - With units covering: Arkanul Iman: Pillars Of Faith, Faith in Action: The Story of Prophet Ibraheem, Worshipping Allah, Prophet Mohammad in Makkah, and Islam is Character
Grade 4	Grade 5- 6
Islamic Studies I Love Islam- Level 4 - With units covering: Family of Faith, Prophet Mohammad in Medinah, Praying the Prophet’s Way, Fasting Ramadan, My Islamic Life Style, and My Islamic Character	Islamic Studies I Love Islam- Level 5 - With units covering: Tawheed: The Faith of all Prophets, Many Prophets One God, Muslims Under Seige, Worship with Heart, and Islamic Character
Grade 7-9 /Youth Group	Youth Group
Islamic Studies
	Following is a list of activities that the Youth Group can organize and implement. Teachers are highly encouraged to incorporate some of these activities into their curriculum. 1. Writing Letters to newspapers & political leaders 2. Publishing school newsletter (once a quarter) 3. Visit to Soup Kitchen, Children’s hospital, Nursing/Senior Home (once a year) 4. Arrange a fundraiser 5. Morning Assembly (twice a year) 6. Improve School Web Page Content & Links 7. Organize Islamic activities at your regular school (Juma, MSA, etc) 8. Put Islamic literature in public/school library 9. Create curriculum for Islamic School High School students 10. Have students conduct a mini-conference for themselves, where they each do presentations/lectures Notes on Youth Group instruction: - Make it discussion oriented, like a halaqa rather than a lecture - Have a relaxed homework policy - Definitely incorporate activities/projects to engage the students.