By Mawlima Fadia Ali, Quran Studies Teacher

Alsalamu Alikum Dear Parents,
Our condolences go to our beloved Prophet and his family (pbut) and to you all for the Arbaaeen of الشُهَداء سَيِّد Imam Al Husain (as) and his companions, may Allah (swt) bless their souls, defeat their enemy, and make us and you all among their followers and supporters Insha’Allah Taala.

I want to welcome you all to our new school year of 2023-2024
This is a summary of your children’s Qur’an work during the month of August, 2023:

Primary:
Level one: (4 years old and the beginners of 5 years old children) Children practiced; Basmala, Taawz, Salat upon Muhammad and Aal Muhammad (مُحمَّد آلِ و مُحمَّد على الصَلاة – التعوُّذ – البَسمَلة)
Level two: (5 years old children) Children reviewed surahs; Al Fatiha الفاتحة, Al nass الناس, Al Iqhlas الإخلاص, Al Kauthar الكوثر. They also reviewed Dua Al Ilm and Prophet Musa (as) (All Dua’as are from the Noble Qur’an)
We usually focus in these two primary levels on the correct pronunciation of the Arabic letters and words, and on the memorization of number of small Surahs and Dua’as the correct way.

Elementary:
Group One (level two Qur’an): Practiced the big Arabic letters and reviewed the five basic small surahs which are Al Fatiha الفاتحة, Al nass الناس, Al Iqhlas الإخلاص, Al Kauthar الكوثر, and Al Falaq الفَلَق.

Two and Three (level two Qur’an): reviewed the reading grammars and the five basic small surahs which are Al Fatiha الفاتحة, Al nass الناس, Al Iqhlas الإخلاص, Al Kauthar الكوثر, and Al Falaq الفَلَق. they also practiced part one of Ayah Al kursi.Group Three (level two Qur’an): reviewed the reading grammars and the five basic small surahs which are Al Fatiha الفاتحة, Al nass الناس, Al Iqhlas الإخلاص, Al Kauthar الكوثر, and Al Falaq الفَلَق. they also practiced part one of Ayah Al kursi. they also started practicing basic Arabic writing and reviewed some Arabic vocabulary (colors 1 & numbers 1) they also started composing some Arabic words, although, our main focus at these two levels is still on reading.

Group Four and Five (level three Qur’an): reviewed the five basic small surahs which are Al Fatiha الفاتحة, Al Nass الناس, Al Iqhlas الإخلاص, Al Kauthar الكوثر, and Al Falaq الفَلَق. they also practiced part one of Ayah Al kursi. Children also reviewed some of last year’s vocabulary such as (colors 1-2 & numbers 1-2)
Our focus for this year for groups four & five will be mostly on writing and reading. Our goal is to help children learn the most efficient way of Arabic writing, help them develop a sense of direction of their Arabic writing (which is opposite of their English writing), and develop a sense of the right size of the Arabic written words.

Middle School– 7th grade:
Group 1: Students reviewed their memorization of Ayah AlKursi and the five small basic Quran surahs which are Al Fatiha الفاتحة, Al Nass الناس, Al Iqhlas الإخلاص, Al Kauthar الكوثر, and Al Falaq الفَلَق., and practiced reading pages 1&2 of Surah Yaseen يَس, they also memorized more Arabic words and started with Arabic grammar (The Arabic sentences).
Group 2: Students reviewed their memorization of pages 1&2 of Surah Yaseen يَس, and reviewed vocabulary chapters 1-6 of the Quran the vocabulary book. They also reviewed all grammar lessons which they learned last year.

Upper School- 9th grade:
Group 1: Students memorized part one of Ayah Al Kursi and practiced reading Ayatt Al Dayen الدَيْن آيَات (282 and 283 of Surah Al Baqhara البَقَرَة), they also reviewed vocabulary chapters 1-6 of the Quran vocabulary book. They also reviewed all grammar lessons which they learned last year.
Group 2: Students memorized Ayatt Al Dayen الدَيْن آيَات (282 and 283 of Surah Al Baqhara البَقَرَة), and reviewed vocabulary chapters 1-16 of the Quran vocabulary book. They also reviewed all grammar lessons which they learned last year.

By Sh. Mohammed Al-Saadi, Dean of Mission and Islamic Studies Teacher:

For the Upper School students, we begin everyday with an assembly that consists of the recitation of a supplication (duʿāʾ) before studying. Afterward, after sharing any pertinent announcements, the students take turns reciting and reflecting on verses of the Quran along with their translation. We began with Sūrat al-Fātiḥah and are reading Sūrat al-Baqarah at the moment. We conclude the assembly with the supplication known commonly as duʿāʾ al-faraj.

In both 7th and 9th Grade Islamic Studies, we have been following the Tarbiyah Curriculum focusing on Module 1: The Creator and His Creation and Module 2: Divine Guidance as well as supplementary reading from God’s Emissaries.

In 7th Grade, we discussed the topic of God as the creator of the universe and the importance of having faith. We also discussed God’s guidance and grace and the importance of sending prophets. In God’s Emissaries, we are discussing the life and story of Prophet Moses.

In 9th Grade, we discussed the creation of the universe as well as proofs for God’s existence. We also discussed divine guidance, focusing on the life of Prophets Jacob and Joseph, with additional reading from God’s Emissaries.