SK2 Weekly Updates! (Dec 16 – Dec19)

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatu Allah Wa Barakatuhu

Dear Parents,

Here are some updates from our class:

Language Arts: In Phonics, we learned how to rhyme words from the –at word family. Word families, also known as chunks, help readers look for patterns when decoding words. When learning to read, patterns are important. Children recognize word patterns and this makes it easier when sounding out words. We read “Cat In The Hat” by Dr. Suess to learn the -at family. Following this, we did a lot of group activities to practice the -at word family. We also read a cute poem called “My Cat” as a shared reading activity and circled the rhyming words which are in the -at family (at, cat ,mat, sat , hat , fat, that). SK2 had a lot of fun learning and practicing their first word family.
 

In addition to this, we also learned how to blend, sound out, and write new words by stretching each sound first and then blending them quickly to say a word. Last week, Sk2 started learning new sight words. They also got a bookmark with new sight words on it. (He, She, We, You, Are, and That). Please help them practice these sight words in their daily reading time at home.

Personal / Social Development: We read an Islamic story book called ”Searching for kindness.” We talked and discussed about how we can find kindness around us. SK2 brainstormed different ways that they can be kind and show little acts of kindness in their homes, at school and in their community.

Your child brought home an ``Act of Kindness`` calendar. Please talk to your child about what he/she can do to show an “Act of kindness” (e.g; helping mom or dad, sharing toys with siblings, talk politely, smiling, going to the masjid, giving charity, sharing food, cleaning up, etc). Put the calendar on your fridge and write the act of kindness they perform on it, every day.

After the winter break, if your child manages to fill most of the days, send the calendar back to the class and he/she will get a reward from the teacher. This calendar will help them practice what they have learned in the class.

Please note: This “Act of Kindness” is an optional activity. I highly encourage everyone to do it during the break because it applies Islamic characteristics and values practically throughout our daily lives, insha-Allah.

Literacy Tips: 

·     Read for 20 minutes with your child everyday. 

·     Practice finding two letter and three letter words with your child while reading at home.

·     Pick some nursery rhyme books or Dr. Suess books from your local library and practice finding    rhyming words with your child.

Math: In patterns, we learned how to create and extend the “AAB” pattern. We did lots of learning activities through math manipulative, bear counters and fruit loops cereal.

 Math tips:    

· Have your child skip count by 10’s out loud.

· Lay down a row of spoons pointing in an “AAB” pattern (up, up, down, up, up, down, up up, down,-----) and ask your child to extend the pattern.

Science: In Science, we did a review on  “Living And Non–Living things.” We have sent home information about our latest diorama project, “Living Things-Allah’s Creation.”

                        

Visual Arts: In Visual Arts, we made a Cat in the Hat “hat” related to the –at family in language.

Class Party: Thanks a lot everyone for sharing snacks in the class party. Special thanks to Hala's mom who made a special and yummy treat on our request. Students had a blast eating the marshmallow hats. May Allah reward you all!

Jazakumullahu-khaira for your co-operation and support!

Message from Arabic Teacher - Tr. Salam

Arabic

Assalamoalaekum:

We almost Elhamdollallah finished the first term . So far We studied the letters from Alif to zaa and we learned words which have these letters . We also Practice these letters through activities. We have had fun reading story and learning new songs. I’m amazing of the Senior Kindergarten’s ability in learning Arabic. MashaAllah!

The student will be expected to:

* Know and read all of the letters from Alif to Zaa.

* Read and write the above letters with Fatha, Kasra, and Dama.

* Recognize words which have above letters.

Jazakuma Allah Khairan

Tr. Salam

Message from Quran Teacher - Tr. Sahar

Assalaamu Alaicom,

Dear Parents
We finishedSurat Al-Adyat. We have quiz in this Surah

Jazaacom Allahu khayran
Tr:Sahar

SK2 Weekly Updates! (Dec 09 – Dec 13)

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatu Allah Wa Barakatuhu

Dear Parents,

Here are some updates from our class:

Language Arts: In Phonics, we did activities from Jolly Phonics book 3. We practiced how to write some tricky words that can not be sounded out (The, Are, You).  We also learned how to rhyme by matching and recognizing the ending sound of different words. To learn more about rhymes, we will start our first word family next week, Insha-Allah. In addition to this, we also learned how to blend, sound out, and write new words by stretching each sound first and then blending them quickly to say a word. Sk2 did an excellent job reading, practicing, and writing the new sight words that are written on the classroom door. Great work SK2! MashaAllah! 

In reading, we read “Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See” again to practice choral reading. We have been learning how to orally retell simple events and simple stories in proper sequence. This time, we retold the story of “Goldilocks And The Three Bears” by sequencing the picture cards. We also talked about the importance of respect and empathy towards others.

Personal / Social Development: We also read different books about feelings and emotions. We talked and discussed about different feelings and how important it is in our religion to take care of feelings of people around us. Some of the books we read were “Harold And The Purple Crayon,” “My many colored days by Dr. Seuss,” “The Way I act.”

Literacy Tips:

·   Read for 20 minutes with your child everyday.

·   Practice finding two letter and three letter words with your child while reading at home.

·   Pick some nursery rhyme books or Dr. Seuss books from your local library and practice finding rhyming words with your child.

Math: As only limited time left until winter break, we decided to start a mini-unit on patterns for term 2. We
learned how to create and extend the “AABB” pattern and did different learning activities. We also opened an “ice cream shop” in winter by making “AABB” ice cream cone patterns with our favourite flavors.

In our math center, girls made necklaces with colored pasta and boys made fire safety “AABB” patterned hats.

Math tips:    

·    Have your child skip count by 10’s out loud.

·     Lay down a row of spoons pointing in a “AABB” pattern (up, up, down, down, up, up....) and ask your child to extend the pattern.

Science: In Science, we watched a power point on  “Living And Non–Living things” for review. Next, we filled out an anchor chart “Is It Living’ as a whole class activity. We did different worksheets regarding living and non-living things. We have sent home an information about our latest diorama project, “Living Things-Allah’s Creation.”

If you have any questions, please feel free to email.

                        

Visual Arts: In Visual Arts, we completed the rainbow fish (from colored coffee filters) craft, Alhamdo-lillah.

Islamic Studies: Sk2 are memorizing a new dua for the month of December, Masha-Allah!  Also, we like to sing along to the nasheed, "Give Thanks to Allah" By Zain Bikha.” Here is the link for the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZdHfVF5Zfg

This week, SK2 made a class book “A B C’ s of Allah (SWT) Creations. Students were given one alphabet to draw and write about something that Allah (SWT) created. Here is a sneak peak of the book:

Jazakumullahu-khaira for your co-operation and support!

SK2 Weekly Updates! (Dec 02 – Dec06)

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatu Allah Wa Barakatuhu

Dear Parents,

Here are some updates from our class:

Language Arts: In Phonics, we completed Jolly Phonics workbook 3, Alhumdulillah. In this workbook, we learned how to sound out these letters: ”b,g,o,u,l,and f.” We also learned the correct letter formation for the letters listed. In addition to this, we also learned how to blend, sound out, and write three letter words by stretching each sound first and then blending them quickly to say a word. We have been practicing the new sight words that are posted on our classroom door. We will practice some review activities from book 3 until winter break. We will start workbook 4 after winter break, Insha-Allah!. Sk2 is doing an excellent job reading, practicing, and writing the new sight words that are written on the classroom door, great work SK2!

In reading, we did choral reading. We read the books, “Pete the Cat, I Love My White Shoes,” “Pete the Cat, My Four Groovy Buttons,”  and “Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See. We also integrated Islamic studies by doing story sequencing for the story of Prophet Nuh. We put picture cards from the story in the right order, to retell the story.

Literacy Tips:

•  Read for 20 minutes with your child everyday.
•  Please go to http://www.starfall.com/ at home to do some extra practice for the sounds we already     covered in class.
•  Practice finding two letter and three letter words with your child while reading at home.

 Math: We were learning how to write numbers in words and reviewing how to do tallies in our Math class. We had completed how to write the numbers 8, 9, and 10 in words. Also, some students came up on the board to find numbers, that were written in words, in the poem “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe.” Lastly, we did some hands on activities in our math centers to review what we learned in Number Sense and Numeration over the past few weeks.

Math tips:    

•  Have your child skip count by 10’s out loud.
• Have your child distribute cookies or some healthy snack to family members, with each person getting     an equal amount.

Science: In Science, we  started a new unit about “Living And Non–Living things”. In our first class, we watched a power point and an educational video on living and non living things, then we had a class discussion about it. It was a very interesting and meaningful session, Alhamdulillah. We will continue learning about living and non living things until winter break.

Visual Arts: In Visual Arts, we made rainbow fish from coloured coffee filters to integrate with the letter “F” (for fish) and with the living things unit we started this week.

Islamic Studies: Sk2 are memorizing a new dua for the month of December, Masha-Allah. Also, we have been practicing a new nasheed, "Give Thanks to Allah" By Zain Bikha.” Here is the link for the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZdHfVF5Zfg

We started learning about the first pillar of Islam, “Shahadah”. We learned what Shahadah means (There is no god but Allah and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the last messenger of Allah). We also learn what we say after the name of Allah (Subhana Wa Taala) and prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). We read a book “Allah Created Us All” and discussed that all living things and non living things in nature (Rocks, Sun, Moon, Sky, Stars, Clouds, Sand ) are created by only one creator, Allah (Subhan Wa Taala). We also made a beautiful frame for the name of Allah (Subhan Wa Taala) with colored egg shells!

Health & Physical Education:

As winter has already started, we talked about fire safety at home. We watched a video on fire safety and did a good class discussion about it. Students participated very enthusiastically about fire safety and a few students volunteered to show the “Stop, Drop, and Roll” drill, Masha-Allah! We also practiced (with a  fake fire alarm on computer), how to line up quietly and which exit to use, in case of a fire drill at school. Finally, we started working on a craft about fire fighters. Here is the link for the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fltEmbUm_8

Jazakumullahu-khaira for your co-operation and support!

Message from Tr. Sahar

Assalaamu Alaicom, 

Dear Parents

We finished Surat Al-Takathur and we are working in Surat Al-Adyat ( 1 - 4 )

Jazaacom Allahu khayran

Tr:Sahar

SK2 Weekly Updates! (Nov 25 - Nov 29)

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatu Allah Wa Barakatuhu

Dear Parents,

Here are some updates from our class:

Language Arts: In Phonics, we learned the vowel sounds ” O” and “U”.

In order to learn how to make secondary colours from primary colours in Art class, we began our week by reading  different books about  Colours .The books we read were “A Little Blue and A little yellow” ,”The Carrot Seed”, “I Eat Rainbow”, “Pete the Cat.” I Love My White Shoes,” (the most popular among SK2) and  the poem, “Rainbow Hair.” SK2 really enjoyed these books and did a great job doing  story sequencing, choral reading, and text to self activities, Masha-Allah.

Literacy Tips:

• Read for 20 minutes with your child everyday.
• Please go to http://www.starfall.com/ at home to do some extra practice for the sounds we already covered in class.
• Play "I spy with my little eye" something that starts with ____ and say the sound of a letter (for e.g; ta..ta..ta..for letter T). 

 Math: We are learning how to write numbers in words and reviewing how to do tallies in our Math class. We completed how to write number 6 and 7 in words. We also read a poem ”One, Two Buckle My Shoe” to recognize number words in reading.

Math tips:    

• Have your child skip count by 10’s out loud.
• Have your child distribute cookies or some healthy snack to family members, with each person getting an equal amount.

Science: In Science, we did a cool  experiment about colours . It was an explosion of colour! Some very exciting visuals happened when we  mixed a little amount of milk,  drops of different food coloring, and liquid soap. Students were amazed  and exited to see the burst of secondary colors  in white milk.

Visual Arts: First we read a poem “The Rainbow Hair “ and then we made our rainbow hair by using the seven colours of the rainbow. Also we coloured coffee filters with markers and later sprayed them with water. The children's eyes lit up as they saw colour move across coffee filters and sprayed with water. They were surprised to know what other colours they can make!!

Cooking: Yes, we did made some treats last Friday. The little readers did an awesome job reading and recognizing all the sight words written on the classroom door, Masha-Allah.

Way to go Sk2! To celebrate this excellent teamwork, we made rainbow krispies treats that also go along perfectly with our learning activities about secondary colours. Sk2 loved to eat the rainbow krispies and were eager to eat more!!!

Islamic Studies: Sk2 have memorized the monthly dua for the month of November, Masha-Allah. I am very proud of their enthusiasm and dedication on learning new duas. Starting from last Monday, we have been practicing a new nasheed "Give Thanks to Allah" By Zain Bikka. Here is the link for the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZdHfVF5Zfg

Also, we worked on our “Five pillars of Islam File Folder game craft,”

Jazakumullahu-khaira for your co-operation and support!

SK2 Weekly Updates - Nov 18 - Nov 22

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatu Allah Wa Barakatuhu

Dear Parents,

Here are some updates from our class.

Language Arts: In Phonics, we started "Jolly Phonics workbook 3" by learning the sounds of the letters "Gg" and "Bb," Alhamdo-lillah. In workbook 3, we will learn to recognize the third group of sounds: g,o,u,l,f,b. Also, in this workbook, we will learn to blend simple, three letter words made up from the sounds that we have learned so far. We will also understand how to hear the middle sound of a word. The word list from book 2 are: Hen, Pen, Net, Hat, Can, Cap, Rat, Man, Do, Me, & Cat.

 Literacy tips:    

• Read for 20 minutes with your child everyday.
• Please go to http://www.starfall.com/ at home to do some extra practice for the sounds we already covered in class.
• Play "I spy with my little eye" something that starts with ____ and say the sound of a letter (for e.g; ta..ta..ta..for letter T). 

 Anti- Bullying Week: The week of Nov 18-22 was anti bullying week at Abraar School. We read different story books about how to be a bucket filler and not to be a bucket dipper. We also made an anchor chart as a class about bucket filling and bucket dipping. Sk2 did an amazing job by sharing and caring throughout the week, Masha-Allah. Good Job SK2!!!

Math: We are learning how to write numbers in words and reviewing how to do tallies in our Math class.

Math tips: Have your child skip count by 10’s out loud.

Science: In Science, we have finished our unit on “States of Matter” by doing a fun experiment. We observed the transition of matter from solid, to liquid, and then to gas. Sk2 had a blast by watching how gas is formed in a balloon.

Islamic Studies/ Visual Arts: We practiced the nasheed "The Five Pillars of Islam". Here is the link for the video:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7pBGqMvN0o

Also, we started working on our “Five pillars of Islam File Folder game craft,” Alhumdulillah.

Jazakumullahu-khaira for your co-operation and support!

SK2 Weekly Updates - Nov 11 - Nov 14

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatu Allah Wa Barakatuhu

Dear Parents,

Here are updates from our class.

Language Arts: In Phonics, we have finished "Jolly Phonics book 2" by learning the sounds of the letters "M" and "D," Alhamdo-lillah. We learned how to sound out these letters, things that begin with these letters, and how to trace the letters in correct formation. We also played Bingo to practice sight words. Please go to http://www.starfall.com/ to do some extra practice at home. Also, you can play "I spy with my little eye" something that starts with ---- and say the sound of a letter (for e.g; ta..ta..ta..for letter T).

Math: We reviewed how to create and extend the "ABC" pattern. Then, the students made their own ABC pattern necklaces with coloured straws. The SK2 students had lots of fun with this hands-on activity. Here is the amazing and creative work by SK2. I am so proud of them, Alhamdo-lilliah.

Science: In Science, we practiced a fun song about solids, liquids, and gases with actions. SK2 loves to sing-along together. We also made a mini booklet for the three states of matter by cutting and pasting pictures in the correct category.

Visual Arts: No class due to "Professional Development Day" on Friday.

Islamic Studies: We practiced the nasheed "The Five Pillars Of Islam". We also read and discussed a book called "The First Man" which is a story about Prophet Adam. The students really liked the story and were very attentive throughout the read aloud, Masha-Allah.

Jazakumullahu-khaira for your co-operation and support!

SK2 Updates - Nov 4 - Nov 8

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatu Allah Wa Barakatuhu

Dear Parents,

Here are some updates from our class.

Language Arts: In Phonics, we covered the sounds of the letters "H" and "R", Alhamdo-lillah. We also played Bingo to practice sight words from Jolly Phonics book 1. Please go to http://www.starfall.com/ to do some extra practice at home.

Math: Last week, we learned how to create and extend the "ABC" pattern. SK2 did lots of fun filled learning activities with the "ABC" pattern (Worksheets, manipulatives, and educational centers). Here are some of the "ABC" patterns done by SK2. Way to go SK2!!!!

Science: In Science, we started to learn about matter and the three states of matter.First, we watched an educational video about solids, liquids and gases. Then, we discussed about the things that come into the category of the three states of matter by looking at an anchor chart with pictures of matter. Finally, we learned a fun song about solids, liquids and gases with actions. SK2 had a blast and they really enjoyed the song. MashaAllah.

Visual Arts: We completed the  Dua craft for "Before entering and leaving the washroom."

Islamic Studies: We watched an educational video about the five pillars of Islam and started learning a Nasheed called "Pillars of Islam". Here is the link so you can practice with your child at home as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7pBGqMvN0o

Quran: Message from Tr. Saher: We are practicing Surah Al-Kawther and Surah Al-Maun.

Jazakumullahu-khaira for your co-operation and support!

Important Reminders:

• As the weather is getting colder, please do remember to send the proper winter gears with your child every day.It is a good idea to label your child's winter clothes. Please dress your child appropriately for the weather, keeping in mind that we go outside daily unless it is raining.
• Please send back the Homework every Wednesday in your child's folder. Also, please  keep the checked homework at home.

SK2 Updates!

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatu Allah Wa Barakatuhu

Dear Parents,

We had a busy and productive week  alhamdo-lillah. Here are some updates:

Language Arts: In Phonics, we covered the sounds of the letters "C", "K" and "E", Alhamdo-lillah. We also introduced sight words from Phonics Book 1, the sight words we are learning are: Allah, at, tap, pat, it, is, a, an, as, to, sat, sit, in, no, pin. We also played Bingo to learn these sight words.

Math: We started our unit on "Patterns." To start our unit, we covered the basic pattern ``AB,AB,AB...``. We did lots of fun filled learning activities with patterns (Worksheets, manipulatives, and educational centers).

Science: In Science we tested the question: "Will an apple float or sink in water?" After the experiment, we investigated and experimented with different things that float and sink in water. Students learned how to predict and observe the results.

Visual Arts: We completed our "Ten Apples on Top" craft and started our Dua craft.

Islamic Studies: We recite our daily dua's in circle time every day. We practiced the dua before entering and leaving the washroom and started our craft about the dua for entering & leaving the washroom. Also, we started learning about the five pillars of Islam. In our daily routines, we recite the dua for eating, going out, and entering & leaving the washroom. As the new Islamic Hijri month is starting, we already learned the song "Months in Islam" so we can learn and practice the names of Hijri months every month.

In addition, we have been playing different co-operative games in Gym class and we also learned proper hand washing in personal hygiene.

Jazakumullahu-khaira for your co-operation and support!

Important Reminders:

• As the weather is getting colder, please do remember to send the proper winter gears with your child every day.
• Please send back the Homework every Wednesday in your child's folder.

Message from Tr.Nancy - Abraar School Librarian

Dear Parents,

Assalamu Alaikum

The first Scholastic Book Fair of the school year is coming to our school this week! What better way to promote reading to our students than by supporting this important literary event! A book fair flyer will be sent home with your child on Monday, October 28, 2013. For more information on this exciting event, please go to www.abraarlibrary.com

Sincerely,

Nancy-Ann Brethour,

Abraar School Librarian

SK2 Updates!

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatu Allah Wa Barakatuhu

Dear Parents,

Alhamdo-lillah, we had a fun filled field trip to "Cosmic Adventures". Everyone had a great time playing and socializing with other grades.

Language Arts: We covered two more letter sounds "P" and "N" according to Jolly Phonics. Please ask your children about it and watch as they make the sound and action. I encourage all parents to go to this website http://www.starfall.com/n/level-k/index/load.htm?f and please practice with your child the letters we learned so far. It's a great website to practice phonics!

Math: We did "one to one correspondence" in counting objects and matching group of objects.  Also, we did Math centers that cover lessons learned in Number sense and Numeration thus far. Students had a great time rotating between different centers and doing hands-on Math activities.

Science: We finished the "Fall Unit" in our science class by making a stained glass leaf craft. We made beautiful stained glass leaves using different colours of tissue paper. It was amazing to see all the creative colours chosen by the students to make their fall leaf craft.

Visual Arts: We did painting with marbles using the three primary colours. Students had a blast with the end result. They created their own designs by titling and shaking the marbles.

Islamic Studies: We started reviewing and memorizing the dua before entering and leaving the washroom.

Important Reminders:

•  Please send back the Homework every Wednesday in your child's folder.
•  Blankets are sent home to be washed every 3 weeks. We usually send the blankets home on a Friday so please don’t forget to send the washed blanket back to school the following Monday. 

Qura'n: Message from Tr. Sahar

Assalam alikum
Dear parents,
We had practiced and reviewed the following:
Surat Al-Kafiroon (Ayah 1-3)

Tr. Sahar

SK2 Updates!

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatu Allah Wa Barakatuhu

Dear Parents,

Here are some updates from last week and some amazing crafts from SK2 during Hajj days! Masha-Allah.

    

Language Arts: Due to shorter week, we only covered sounding out and printing letter "I". Please ask your children about it and watch as they make the sound and the action. I encourage all parents to go to this website http://www.starfall.com/n/level-k/index/load.htm?f and please practice with your child the letters we learned so far. It's a great website to practice phonics!

Math: We learned how to put the number in order, what comes before and after. We've been learning how to count backwards from 20 to 0. We also read a book "Ten Apples Up On Top!" by Dr. Seuss. The students really enjoyed the book. The characters are balancing ten apples on their heads in the book, so we thought we should give it a try, too!

Visual Arts: We did the craft related to the book we read in Mathematics.

Islamic Studies: We had an Eid Party and students made Eid cards for their parents. We had lots of fun in the party. Jazak-Allahu-khairen for all the parents for sending the snacks and treats for the party.

Reading Buddies: As part of the Literacy program at Abraar School, we started our reading buddies program last Thursday. Tr. Saher's grade 4 students visited young readers in our classroom. They will be reading to their assigned buddies every second Thursday, insha-Allah. The SK2 students really enjoyed the activity, and are looking forward for the next session.

Tr. Hina