|
The Islamic Foundation |
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| Weekend School | Mastery Level 3 |
Group Identity: This level is for all those students who pass
level 2 or who score below a 95 on the entrance test.
Clothing Requirement: The boys will wear a black kufi while the
girls will wear black hijabs.
Mastery Focus: Obtaining more advanced knowledge of Arabic, learning to
read the Qur'an with greater fluency and in learning the wisdom of Islamic teachings.
Seerah and the Khilafa ar Rashidah. What makes Islam different from other
systems in the world.
Methodology: This level will be divided into four segments of at
least 40-50 minutes each. The longer time period is reflective of the need for more
practice time with the teacher.
 | Segment 1: This class will focus on Arabic as a living language.
The teacher will emphasize the meanings of words and how to use grammar. The
goal is that by the end of the school year the students can converse in simple Arabic and
can understand many of the words they encounter while reading the Qur'an.
Surahs 90-99 should be learned with meaning. |
| Segment 2: This class will focus on specific issues related to
living life as a Muslim. Comparing Islam to other belief systems, issues of
da'wah,
halal and haram, introducing fiqh and Shariah on a basic level, issues facing Muslim
living in an unIslamic world, etc... |
| Segment 3: This class will focus on the world view of Islam and
on the Sirah of the Blessed Prophet Muhammad and some of his Sahaba.
Islamic history from the Prophet (p) through to the Khulafa ar Rashidun will
be explored. |
| Segment 4: Physical fitness/martial arts: Students will
be given a regular period of physical fitness training and/or martial arts.
Muslims are weak and oppressed all over the world and all the non-Muslims
train their children in personal self-defense. Shouldn't we follow the
Sunnah as prepare ourselves for our own defense as well? Karate, Kung
Fu, Tai Chi, Judo, etc... should be an essential part of any program for a
well-rounded Muslim. It also imparts greater confidence and
discipline. |
Discussion: This level begins the more advanced studies of Arabic, Islam and the Muslim world view.
Note: From this level onwards, all students will be
required to have their own personal Qur'ans (with translation) for study.
The school will announce which translation the students will use and bring to
school and all students will use the same translation while in school. The
best translation for youth is the one by Muhammad Malik.
Textbooks: The following can be selected.
| Segment 1: "Alif Baa: Introduction to
Arabic Letters and Sounds." Georgetown University Press.
ISBN 0-87840-292-6 |
| Segment 2: "Learning About Islam." Yahiya Emerick.
(Choose appropriate units) |
| Segment 3: "Learning About Islam." Yahiya Emerick. (Choose appropriate units). Supplemental reading: "Those Who Were Promised Paradise." and other such titles by Noora Durkee (IQRA). |
Specific Skills to Teach in Each Academic Segment: All the above
items that have
been mentioned.
| Segment 1. Basic proficiency in writing the Arabic letters
and pronouncing their sounds must be achieved by the end of this
level. In addition, the student should be able to make simple
sentences as per the two textbooks chosen for this level. |
| Segment 2. You will find the appropriate lessons from the
textbook, "Learning About Islam" cover these topics very nicely. |
| Segment 3. The textbook, "Learning About Islam" covers this topic well. Other stories can be drawn from "Companions of the Prophet" Vols. 1-2 by Abdul Wahid Hamid or from "Men Around the Messenger" by Khalid M. Khalid. (From IBTS.) |
The Final Word: Teachers for this level must have a lot of Sabr and
wisdom because the majority of issues that will soon be brought up in classroom discussions will
revolve around social issues such as dating, marriage, etc...
