Beautiful Imagination

Wow, it's been a long time since I last wrote! But I couldn't miss mentioning the morning conversation!
Yusuf(looking for their cereal spoons): Huda, you can have the 'queen'!
Huda: Oh thank you Yusuf!
Yusuf: Mama, did you see the knight?
Mama: What?
Yusuf: You know the 'knight'! Oh, that's okay, I'll take the King.

I've always thought that I should buy some uniform utensils for the house. But where oh where would they be able to use their creativity if I had every elegant uniform serving spoons. Thank you Allah for our children's beautiful imagination and for giving me the ability to enjoy it!
Amused mother :-)

Huda's First Prize

Huda and Yusuf came running at the sisters' corner of the masjid,
"Mama,mama, the Imam said he will give the best reader $5 tomorrow!"
Huda: "Mama, I don't want to win the candy, it doesn't taste good."
Later on that day at a store, Yusuf: "Mama, can I buy this and give you the $5 when I win tomorrow?" Oh my goodness, this little boy has gone over his head thinking he'll win whenever there is a contest. May the hard realities of life hit him softly...
The next day after Quran class: "Mama, Mama, we both tied for first place! Imam told us that each of us will get $5 as we were the best!"
Well maybe Yusuf can hold on learning life's realities a little longer... May Allah always make them first in learning about Allah's book and teaching and practising it...

This is a sample of what I dream to do with all lectures/songs with Islamic Themes

Questions for Yasir Qadhi - Seerah: The Life of Prophet Muhammad
http://www.halaltube.com/yasir-qadhi-seerah-the-life-of-prophet-muhammad-s

1. What was the most common name for our Prophet(S)
2. What root word does the name ‘Muhammad’ come from?
3. What does the word ‘ahmad’ mean?
4. How do NonMuslims praise Muhammad(S) without knowing?
5. How was the Prophet Almahi and Alhashir and alaqib?
6. Define Nabi urrahma and nabi attawba.
7. Which names of the Prophet did Musa and Isa(AS) mention and how did it relate to their people?
8. Name 8 special blessings that Allah has given the Prophet Muhammad(S) that he has not given to other prophets.
9. What is the difference between Isra and Miraj?

nature video site
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/

Great Dictionary Maker http://wordwizard.scholastic.com/minidictionary/
Although I think it is more beneficial for the kids to look it up and write in on notecards old fashion style.

NorthStar School Poetry Contest: Furkan: Top Ten out of 88

Assalaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakathahu,
I am writing to inform you your poem has placed in the top 10 from 88 entries in "The Praised One" Poetry Contest.
Masha Allah, this is a great achievement! Your poem was both well written and heartfelt.
Win or lose, you should feel very good about your accomplishment!
Winners will be announced at the Northstar Fundraiser March 21st: http://northstarschool.org/AnnualFundRaisingDinner.aspand also on the website the following week: http://northstarschool.org/poetry2.asp#flyer

“The Praised One” 2009Theme: “Shamail: The Prophetic Characteristics”

PROGRESS ANNOUNCEMENT: MARCH 13TH, 2009

Masha Allah, we have our top ten finalists for each age group.

On Friday, March 6th 2009, our first round judges deliberated for almost 5 hours, scoring each poem with great care. The following criteria were given scores of 1 to 5:
· Grammar
· Descriptive Words
· Poem relates well to theme
· Title is interesting and relates well to content
· Reflects love and Respect for the Prophet (s) and the Content

Please note spelling errors disqualify a poem. Also we had many beautiful poems that scored low because they did not relate well to the theme.

Not to worry, if your poem was good, and did not make the top ten, Insha Allah it will get published in Northstar School’s next edition of “The Praised One, A Treasury of Children’s Reflections about God’s Final Messenger”.

Rather than list the poem titles, we are listing the schools for an interesting twist. The following Schools have students with poems in the top ten.

7-9 Year Category #
Baytul Iman Academy, NJ. = 2
Homeschooler, DE. = 1
Lexington Universal Academy, KY. = 1
Northstar School, CA. = 3
Noor Ul Iman, NJ. = 1
Peace Terrace Academy, CA = 2

10-12 Year Category #
Andalusia School, NY. = 1
ILM Tree, CA. = 5
Noor Ul Iman, NJ. = 2
Peace Terrace Academy, CA = 2
Silicon Valley Academy, CA = 1

Final Judging will take place Saturday, March 14th. Keep praying for all our children!
May Allah subhana wa ta'ala continue to bless you with excellence and love and respect for the our Beloved Prophet Muhammad sallullahu 'alayhi wasallam.
Wasalaamu Alaikum.
Ameena Ansari, "The Praised One" Coordinator
"Closeness to Him is beholding His closeness to you" : Ibn Ata Illah"The total and lasting mistake is to have free time and not betake yourself to Him, or the obstacles to be few, and not journey to Him" : Ibn Ata Illah


Our Prophet
By Furkan Kose

Our prophet did everything for ALLAH,
Including his salah.

Our prophet never told a
lie,
And gave a smile to everyone who passed by.

Our prophet was very nice,
Even to the small creatures like mice.

Our prophet was never mean,
And very, very clean.

Our prophet always finished his food,
And was never rude.

Our prophet was patient with his people
And with their ways of evil.

From our prophet, all these we must learn,
So a place in Jannah we can earn.

Seems like a good grammar worksheet site

http://englishforeveryone.org/?gclid=COa2hdOQl5kCFQquGgodrCz5ag

Can we teach respect?

Is it something we can actually teach? I think we need to try to teach respect to Allah and His Prophet. Once we can establish that, the rest should be easy to follow. What use is it if my child shows respect to me, but disregards Allah's words.
I truly believe respect and the most honored characteristics are learnt thru example. To that end, we need to practice it ourself(the most difficult part) and keep ourselves and our children in the company of those who practice what they say.
Once a close friend of mine told us in a halaqa that to question ourselves how we treat our kids when no one is around. Do we treat them with respect when we address them, or too roughly. Many times what we see in our children is a reflection of our own behaviour.
May Allah help us find good and beautiful companionship for us, our spouses and children.

Writing Stories

Furkan and Yusuf taking part in Youth literature Festival first Writing Contest. Very hard for Furkan to be patient to do the editing of his story. Yusuf's first book.
www.youthlitfest.ed.uiuc.edu/contest

May she always be easy going.

Huda(after asking every day for Allah knows how long): "Mama, can you please wake me up when you wake Abla up?'

Mama: "Okay."

Huda: "But, Mama you never do!"

Mama: "Huda, I feel like you need your sleep, as you are younger. That's why I don't wake you up."

Huda(going to bed): "Mama?"

Mama: "Yes?"

Huda: "Mama, can you wake me up when it is time for me to wake up?"

Mama(feeling her love overflowing): "Yes, Huda."

Website

http://www.eduplace.com

Mulitple Choice Worksheet Generator

http://schoolexpress.com/quiz/quiz01.php

Word lists

Good word lists for Kindergarteners and First Graders!
http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/spelling-levela.html

Failed Attempt

I wasn't able to have the kids enter the StoryTubes Contest. Have to figure out a way to upload the webcam video onto Teachers Tube website.

May the Knowledge of Allah and His Prophet Be our Primay Goal Always

“So whoever hopes for the meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of His Lord”(Sura Kahf: 110)

Commenting on this ayat, Ibn al-Qayyim wrote:
This is in reference to the only type of deed that Allah will accept. The deed must be in accordance with the sunnah of the Messenger of Allah(pbuh) and done solely for the Countenance of Allah. A doer cannot possibly fulfill both of these conditions unless he has knowledge. If he does not know what has been narrated from the Messenger of Allah(pbuh), then he cannot intend that. If he is not knowledgeable of whom he worships, he cannot intend Him alone in his deeds. IF it were not for knowledge, his deed could not be acceptable. IT is knowledge that guides to sincerity and purity and it is knowledge that indicates what is the actual following of the way of the Prophet(pbuh).

I'm loving this "Make your Own Calendar with Your Own Events" website.
It's useful for keeping you organized and your kids informed.
http://www.theteacherscorner.net/printable-worksheets/make-your-own/printable-calendar/february/2009

Blessings of Fajr

This is not a typical post about the blessings of Fajr. I feel everything i do should be a type of worship of my Creator: beit reading Quran, ironing my husband's shirts, teaching my children, talking to my parents. I try to take it with an intention of pleasing my Rabb. May He accept it from me. Thus, I feel finding a wonderful website as a blessing of Fajr's time. This is a great website to make your tests, review worksheets for whatever subject you are teaching your child. Use it!!!!
http://www.theteacherscorner.net/printable-worksheets/make-your-own/match-up/match-up.php

A friend recently told me how no one will ever guess what a treasure you have being able to teach your children at home. I agree with her. With all its challenges, the sweetness of it cannot be felt unless you do it yourself.

SS 3rd Grade Test

Furkan says he knows all the answers. Let's see.

Social Studies Test: Chapt. 1: Our Country’s Environment
Answer the questions/fill in blanks on attached pages. (total 25pts.)
1. Name one project that both Canada and US did together. How was this project beneficial for both countries? (2pts)
2. What is the best way to develop human resources? (1pt)
3. Name two ways humans are useful resources. (2pts)
4. Name two nonrenewable resources and why they are important to us. (2pts)
5. Name two renewable resources and what we can do to take care of them. (2pts)
6. Explain why it is good for someone to live close to the ocean. (Talk about climate) (2pts)
7. What two questions does one ask to find out about the climate of a place? (2pts)
8. Canada is divided into 10 _____________________ and two _________________. (2pts)
9. When we use up _________________________ resources, it will be gone forever. (1pt)
10. Three factors that affect climate are ________________________________, ________________________, ___________________ (3pts)
11. _________________________ Mountians stretch all the way from Maine to Alabama.(1pts)
12. Define the following words: natural resource, conservation, precipitation, geography.(4pts)
13. What does and elevation map show you? (1pt)

Test

This was a hard test to make!

Science 6th Grade: Chapter 1: Views of Earth Today

Please answer the following in the attached pages. (total=50pts)

1. What four connected parts make up the Earth system and why are they called open systems. (4pts.)
2. Name 1 reason it is beneficial to learn about each of the 4 systems. (4pts.)
3. How do all 4 parts of the Earth system shape the planet’s surface? (2pts)
4. Describe the 3 kinds of land features a relief map shows. (3pts.)
5. Name how two parts of the Earth system shape the planet’s surface. (2pts)
6. What are the 4 parts that make up the geosphere? (4pts)
7. A map scale can be expressed as a __________________, ______________________ or equivalent units of distance. (2pts)
8. What does a map legend do? (1pt)
9. What is the difference between latitude and longitude? (2pts)
10. The GPS is a network of ___________________ that are used to find the latitude, longitude, and _______________________ of any site. (2pts)
11. Define projection. (2pts)
12. Name two places Mercator projections are useful for navigating. (2pts)
13. Where will the landmasses be distorted in a conic projection? (2pts)
14. Why were planar projections developed? (1pt)
15. Define topography. (1pt)
16. What 3 things does a topographic map show? (3pts)
17. Where do contour lines form closed circles? (2pt)
18. What are the darker contour lines on a map called? (1pt)
19. Define remote sensing. (1pt)
20. Define sensor. (1pt)
21. Name one way false-color imaging is beneficial. (1pt)
22. Define GIS. (2pt)
23. What is the line called at 0 degree latitude? (1pt)
24. What are two of concerns you would have in deciding where to build a new airport and how would maps help you decide? (2pts)
25. What divides the Earth into eastern and western hemispheres? (1pt)
26. What shows directions north , south , east and west on a map? (1pt)
Bonus: Describe the steps of remote sensing to gather information about Earth. (5pts)

Kose Homeschooling Schedule

1/24/09
Schedule
9-10 Science
10-11 MRSA
11-12 Quran
12-1 Social Studies
1-1:30 Lunch/prayer
1:30-2:30 Math
2:30-3:30 Islamic Studies
3:30-4:30 Reading
4:30-5 Turkish
Nur
9-10 Science
10-11 MRSA
11-12 Quran
12-1 Social Studies
1-1:30 Lunch/Prayer
1:30-2:30 Math
2:30-3:30 Islamic Studies
3:30-4:30 Reading
4:30-5 Turkish

Alhamdulillah, we've been able to follow the schedules for the past week. Having a schedule seems to be the most beneficial thing in homeschooling, if I can actually make one before we start for the day. One challenge I still have not been able to overcome is to be able to teach Huda without upsetting Meryem. Hopefully Meryem will mature faster and let us do that inshallah.
One thing struck me today as I was listening to Muhammad Shareef's lecture on anger management, that if we love someone and want that person to be in our lives, we have to be with him. If we want Rasullullah(SAW) to be in our lives, we have to study about him very frequently. How can we have him in our lives as an example if we don't talk about him very often and study his life in depth?
May Allah help me incorporate his life into my teachings.

Beautiful Eager Face

She was there every Wednesday. Always eager, always ready, tugging my dress for attention, to learn something new.
"Where are your stickers?" she would ask. "This time I'm putting a note in your bag, so you don't forget them next time."
SubhanaAllah, how we can get attached to someone we never knew 2 months ago. I've been blessed to have the energy to do lot of volunteering. But somehow this tutoring on Wednesdays after a long day of homeschooling always seemed a very daunting job.
But this precious girl was leaving(her father's job got transferred) and I finally realized why I must continue in every possible way to encourage small girls to keep striving hard to do well in school. Even if for a few hours a week, I felt I had touched someone and someone had touched me. I still remember her mother's voice, talking about her daughter enthusiasm: "She was always so eager to come to the masjid on Wednesdays!"

Yusuf's 1st Contest

http://dda.delaware.gov/forestry/forms/2008/UrbanNewsletter_EvergreenSpring_052008.pdf

Yusuf won the first contest he entered when he was in Kindergarten. The governor of Delaware handed him his prize.


Date: March 2008

Water is Life Contest

Yusuf Kose Nur Kose
1st Grade 6th Grade
1st Place 2nd Place



Furkan Kose
3rd Grade
1st Place











Date: November 2008

DSWA Contest

Furkan and Yusuf Kose both enter the DSWA contest in which they have to draw about the benefits of composting. Both of them win.

Furkan: Honorable mention and gets his poster in the DSWA calendar
Yusuf: 1st Place in his grade level and recieves a family tent and sleeping bag

http://www.dswa.com/pdfs/TrashTracks/TT_Fall%201208.pdf



Date: October 2008