HBAP's Snowy Sights

SNOW

Early in the month of February HBAP (6yrs) had the opportunity to visit the snowy hill station of Burbhan. Abbi had a conference to attend and HBAP accompanied him. She was excited to be able to travel in an aeroplane with only Abbi by her side  and the prospect of  seeing SNOW! None of her siblings have had a chance to do so yet. There was also the promise of a bonfire dinner to attend, so all bundled up in Latvian warm clothes (borrowed from a friend) off she went. Abbi was impressed by how HBAP moved around independently, taking care of her needs while Abbi conducted a workshop, Masha'Allah. The following are her impressions of her winter holiday:

SNOW OUTSIDE THE HOTEL

"There was snow outside the hotel on the ground and on the cars, and on the trees.In our balcony there was snow, Abbi's friend came and said that you can't go into the balcony because there is so much snow.He picked up some snow and kept it in my hand.It felt cold. I saw a bonfire and I sat in front of the fire, I was feeling cold, the fire made me warm, but my back was still cold. I was wearing gloves. I saw rabbit, Abbi saw a fox. I went in a park and walked on snow. I saw a swimming pool in the park, it had water in it (it wasn't frozen.) I watched Abbi give his talk (Abbi was conducting a workshop).I had lots of soft mints. "

BAP Update

As-salaam alaikum Wa-Rahmaullahi WaBaarakatuhu

A lot has been going on with the Pirani boys over the last few weeks and here's a brief update:

Tae Kwondo Belt Test:


The elder four BAPs had their first Tae Kwondo Belt test at RMI. The judges were Tae Kwondo masters of 8dan caliber. The children were surprised long beards and heavy builds but were in awe of them when they demonstrated their skills ( kicking up high and powerfully at various targets).

The children themselves were asked to demonstrate various manovers based on which they were awarded points which would determine their promotion to the next tae Kwondo level (from white belt to either Yellow Belt jr, of Yellow Belt Senior).

Subhan 'Allah, all four BAPs (ages 14, 12, 10 and 8) were awarded Green Belts (Junior)! This is the level after the Yellow Belt.

Hifz Examination @ RMI

The following week ABAP (14yrs)  and  QBAP (12yrs) had an internal Hifz Examination conducted by the Hifz class Haed Qari Sahib. Alhumdulilah ABAP attained 2nd position in his group and QBAP attained 3rd position in his group. ABAP has completed 13 juz and QBAP has completed 2 juz Alhumdulillah.







2nd International Conference on Islamic Business 2012
This conference was held in Islamabad, where Abbi was a delegate, and accompanying him was MBAP. This opportunity gave MBAP a chance to observe grown ups at work, he listened to them talk, played with his toys when he was bored and Masha'Allah kept himself busy though he had no one to attend to him (he was the only child present too). He had the opportunity to watch people behind the camera as they taped interviews with some of the delegates, Masha'Allah as he moved around or sat at a back seat, none of the grown ups seemed to mind, but they did take note of him, one of the delegates announced that there was a child amongst the audience whose manners had impressed him and MBAP was called up on stage and given a delegate pack which all the adults had received earlier.
MBAP was also present at a gathering of parents who wanted info about homeschooling where Abbi had been invited to give a talk. He said he found it interesting but he didn't learn anything (new) !


Public Speaking Session
RMI conducts a bi-weekly Public Speaking session in the evenings. The topic of the forth coming session is announced at the end of each session. Students of the Hifz program are also chosen to participate. ABAP was chosen to participate in the last session. The topic given was "Adl aur Insaaf" (Justice and Fairness). Alhumdulillah ABAP prepared for the speech by firat looking up the meaning of the term Adl from an English copy of Maroof ul Quran, then went to one of the class Qaris for the relavant Ahadith and spent some time with one of the admin men at RMI for further consultation, then sat down to write his speech in URDU! (not an easy task for any of the BAPs).

ABAP admits that he was nervous when he was called upon to give the speech,  the judges lauded his efforts saying that though it seemed he was flailing at first he grew in confidence as he continued and ended well Masha'Allah.

Masha'Allah its been a busy month for the BAPs and they have had a lot of interesting experiences to share too.

NEWSFLASH: Hifz Competition@ Marium Appa's Class

Marium Appa organized a Hifz competition for the four groups who are doing Hifz in her class; this includes HBAP (6yrs) and MBAP's (8yrs) group. The judges were three respected teacher's who run their own Quran classes. each student was called up in turn and the judges would recite an ayah following which the student had to compete the quoted surah. Medals were awarded to the first and second best reciters.

Alhumdulillah, HBAP received the silver medal in her group. Masha'Allah she recited in a strong loud and clear voice. MBAP's group had stiff competition and he too recited easily and without hesitation. Alhumudulillah he though disappointed he was not upset for not having won.

More about the competition from our 4 yr old correspondent SBAP:

" I was sitting in the class and I had two toffee: ZBAP and mine. And I was sitting and everyone got gifts not me.
 They (the students) were sitting and they were talking and Marium Appa said to be quiet but they were not being quiet. They all got papers (certificates) and wearing things that you wear (medals). Ant they got toffees.
They had tables and chairs (for the judges) and mats (for participants and audience) and everyone was sitting on them. There were papers and balloons and paper flowers with butterflies (decorating the walls.)

RMI's Day Out!

All work and no play can make a child a dull boy and so on a Tuesday, RMI organized a day of fun in the sun! Cricket being the local passion, RMI booked the Kokan ground for the day, where the students were brought for their inhouse cricket championship.

The students were divided into four teams which included the admin team of RMI as well. Fathers were invited as spectators and could join the game if they desired. Lunch was served on location and the students returned to RMI for a much needed Qalula after Asr.

Alhumdulillah the students had an enjoyable and vigorous match. QBAP's team won the Runner Up trophy Masha'Allah. Alhumdulillah RMI plans to make this a monthly event, three cheers for RMI! Alhumdulillah!

U, Me and the Stars

U, Me and the Stars: an over night event for boys 12 to 19 to spend some time with some renowned speakers and chill (the kids assured me it was very chilly).

Here's an account of that night as pieced together from the accounts of two very sleepy boys ; ABAP (14yrs) and QBAP (12yrs):

The event began with a talk by Brother Adnan Rashid and then Hisham al Hadi They both spoke in turn, about how they were drawn towards practicing Islaam. Hisham Al Hadi, the son of  Dr.Farhat Hashimi, grew up hearing his parents teach Islaam. Yet he admitted that as a child he had some doubts in his mind- doubts about Allah SWT can lead to Hell and so he then spoke to the kids to help them dispel any doubts they may have.  Brother Adnan Rashid grew up in UK and explained how he lived in the lap of luxury, eventually started a street gang as a kid and eventually found his boredom heading him towards depression. On the other hand he was very close to his grandfather who lived in Pakistan and spent time with him in a village. Farming was his grand father's hobby and Adnan learnt much from him. His grandfathers death had a profound effect on him, his father pointed out how no money in the world could prevent death, his live was much changed by that thought.

The kids were then divided into two groups where the elder group were then addresses by Adnan Rashid and the younger group by Hisham Al Hadi. Delicate matters such as interacting with non mehrum was also discussed, Mash'Allah. The talks were interactive and the boys got an opportunity to interact with the speakers on a one on one basis as well, Masha'Allah. They were impressed by their stories and easy going manner as well, Masha'Allah.

The rest of the night was spent playing basket ball, table tennis (QBAP and a freind took advantage of a empty table tennis table as their friends slept) and chatting with friends. Another high "light" of the night were the three bonfires which the kids took turns sitting around and roasting marshmallows with. (there was something very smoky about the pair when they came home......ugh! a pair of socks tucked into their night bag!) the boys played, slept and were later aroused for tahajud, Masha'Allah.

The following morning they were addressed by Sheikh Abu Abdissalam , who arrive straight from the airport. He spoke to the kids about his journey to enlightenment, which began from a book called "Do you know this book?" It got him reading and thinking and craving for more. Being one who enjoyed reading the scientific aspect of things he marveled when he found his school teachers address facts he had already read about in the Quran Subhan'Allah.

Dinner was a delicious spread of lasagna, chicken botis, seekh kababs and soft drinks. Breakfast consisted of a  tasty meal of halwa, aloo puri, channa and puri. Coffee, tea, sandwiches, brownies and hot chocolate were made available all night, Masha'Allah.

There were some hot words and teasing as is to be expected when a large number of young boys who are not all acquainted with each other must spend time together, but over all the event when smoothly and the boys enjoyed the novel experience. ABAP suggests that further such events should also include quizzes and role play, which they enjoy (and is also an effective ice breaker) at Active Saturday night outs.

We appreciate the Live Deen team's efforts and look forward to more such events for the youth of today, Insha'Allah.

Homeschooling Parent admits she misses school!

WHAT I MISS ABOUT SCHOOL!!!

Yes its true, as a homeshooling parent I miss school!!! There i said it! I've revealed my guilty secret..... " But what could you possible miss?" you ask.....well .....

- sleeping in once the kids have left for school (though isn't it wonderful to sleep off that time used for rushing the kids off to school?)

- not having to argue with one's daughter about what she will wear the next morning... no arguments involved when having a uniform (admitted she's now developing a fashion sense of her own rather than simply going with the follow)


- when a teacher appreciates the effort you put into improving a child's reading/ writing skill (though you feel guilty knowing that you didn't do anything; your child just seemed to take the initiative because he was now ready for it)

- when mothers of schooled kids complain about current school trends/ teachers/ curriculum now you don't have anything to complain about!

- when your child says something unexpected you can't blame his classmates!

- you can't blame a bad teacher for something your child doesn't know because guess who his teacher is?

- watching your kids march around a stadium for sports day (though your friends envy the fact that you child doesn't have to spend the weeks before sports day in chilly winds or the hot sun preparing for sports day along with term assessments and class assignments)

- attending library day (though we have now further developed our own library without trashy novels cluttering the shelves and my hubby loves the fact he doesn't have to rush to school to attend it and we can read to the kids at anytime instead of being compelled to do it at a given time with a cranky baby along side and i'm glad i don't have to polish white shoes which don't stay white till the end of the day or having the kids bring home unfinished snacks in their lunch boxes, or worry about school bags which look like ragged sacks before the school year is out or...... ............er....um.. I guess i don't miss school as much as I thought....)

About Curriculum

For any parent embarking on homeschooling, "what curriculum to use?" is a daunting question. Here's a overview on some curriculum options:

- Textbooks: Most families begin their journey with textbook used in most schools. This is easy to do in Karachi at least where one can go to any stationary shop and ask for the textbooks of your chosen subjects at a chosen school. Most textbooks also have an accompanying teachers guide. This allows you to view a large selection of books and chose which is appropriate for your child. Its usually a good idea to speak to relatives with schooling going children to view their books prior to visiting a shop.
Paramount Publishers allows you to view and purchase books from their website (http://www.paramountbooks.com.pk/index.asp).  Oxford textbooks (http://www.oup.com.pk/shopdisplayproducts.asp?catid=326&id=328&parentID=20) can be bought online but unfortunately their entire book list is not available for viewing online and they are slow at delivering. Both places have a cash on delivery option for Karachi.

- Curriculum  in a box: This is an option used by many homeschoolers who would like a structured curriculum where textbooks, worksheets and even day to day activities and study plans are provided.The providers of this are abroad so it helps if you have a way to receive them at a relatives house and then brought to Pakistan (so it can be very pricey) To use these one must register online and pay a fee and the box is delivered to
you. Some of the more popular providers are :

Calvert School; http://www.calvertschool.org/

Kinza Academy (Hamza Yousuf): http://kinzaacademy.com/index.html

(I am not recommending either, but simply letting you know what's out there). Be aware that many online curriculum in a box is Christian based and often made in accordance to state regulations; in many countries there are laws where homeschoolers have to make a portfolio of their children which is evaluated by Councillors and must sit for state funded standardized tests. In Pakistan we have the freedom to chose our curriculum of our younger children and for matric or cambridge papers we can register as private candidates to purchase syllabi and for examinations.

- Online resources: Alhumdulillah the internet has allowed us access to a variety of online resources- free and some at a cost. Its hard not to get overwhelmed, so do try to focus on your child's abilities and needs when selecting what to use and try your best to ignore the rest!

Some popular sites are:
http://homeschool4muslims.blogspot.com
http://talibiddeenjr.blogspot.com
http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/index.htm

Most of these sites provide curriculum, free online books, links to useful sites as well as advice on how to get started.

-D-I-Y curriculum: Most families begin by buying a host of textbooks and then eventually settle for a mixture of books, online resources as well as sending their children to tutions and afternoon classes for more tricky subjects. Often informative story books, nature study, kitchen chores and outdoor sports all come together to build a families holistic curriculum. Families also adopt a number of homeschooling approaches or a mixture of several approaches to suit their children, family values and even lifestyle and that's the beauty of homeschooling, its flexibility.

To learn more about homeschooling approaches, websites, articles on curriculum and those worrying questions such as "how will I know my child is learning?", "what about tests?" "socialization?" you can browse through the various links provided by our list at :
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pakistan-home-education/links

and to read more about how various families are homeschooling do look out for Homeworks magazine as well as read up on our blog:
http://pakistan-home-education.blogspot.com/


Its important to stay focused on your child and families goals  when planing your homeschooling life, there's a wealth of information out there so make lots of dua, stay focused, research and enjoy the experience.