Summer Islamic Reading Program Extension & Updates
Since August 15, 2010 is a Sunday, and the post office is closed, we will accept any entries postmarked Monday August 16, 2010. Other updates are listed below:
Form Submission
- Postal mail them to our address listed here,
- Scan and email to contact<at>americanmuslimmom.com,
- Send us a Word or google doc to contact<at>americanmuslimmom.com, or
- Fax forms to
Summer Islamic Reading Challenge Forms
Instructions:
- * Register your child/ren from Birth – Senior Year of college/university, during the Reading Challenge period of July 15, 2010 – August 15, 2010 (details below)
- Print out the Official Islamic Book Review Form and Reading Journal * Children read books at their reading level, or read-aloud to by an adult
- Complete one full Islamic Book Review, and list additional Islamic books read on the journal with all sections completed. A parent/guardian must sign the journal when it is completed.
- Mail the completed review form and reading journal to the address provided on the Review Journal (one per child). Multiple children from the same household may send their journals in one envelope for your convenience.
- Each participant will be sent a certificate and a prize in the mail as promptly as possible.
- Special prizes will be awarded to different age or selected groups by criteria stated for that prize.
- Deadline: Postmarked by August 15 16, 2010.
Children’s Design a Button Contest
Design a Button Coloring Contest Rules:
- Open the coloring page here.
- Design a Button. Create & Enjoy!
- Scan and email on or before 12 midnight EST August 15, 16, 2010 to contact<at>americanmulismmom.com or postal mail it with your Official Book Journal.
- Email must state: (a) Child’s full name. Only the first name and last initial will be publicized. (b) Age and DOB (date of birth).
- Winning Design may be used for next year’s Summer Islamic Reading Challenge, inshaAllah.
List of Connecticut Homeschool Groups & Organizations
I’m often asked how do I find all the cool homeschool programs, deals and tips; and my answer is always “by networking”.We are very active members in all the groups and organizations listed below, and recommend that you sign up for each one of them. Even if you don’t live in one particular region, the resources often shared in each of the groups are invaluable information that’s not geographically-specific. Also, the support network is great to have. I will continue to stay listed in each of these groups if and when we relocate out of CT because the friendships and resources gained are on-going and lifelong.
Active CT Homeschool Groups and Organizations
Great Ways to Home Educate – A monthly newsletter for over 150 families statewide. Typically 10+ pages each month for $10/year membership that includes, Annual Spelling Bee, Geography Bee, Science Fair, Math clubs, Coops statewide and regional, homeschooler-specific team sports and much more. For more information, email me and I’ll forward your email to the membership coordinator.
CT Homeschool Network – Great organization often has annual conferences. We participated in one and it was a great family event, with special focus on getting the grandparents involved.
CT Homeschoolers Inclusive – Most active, largest online/offline group of Homeschoolers in CT with nearly 1000 members statewide.
GNHH – Greater New Haven Hamden, weekly park or socials year-round. Families travel up to 45 mins. away just to hook up once a week for fun.
F-C-H Fairfield County Homeschoolers great for resources in and around NYC too. Love the discussions.
Western CT homeschool co-op Waterbury weekly homeschool coop. By invitation only. Just email the moderator, Sandy Ho, and tell her I said “hi”!
The Valley Central Homeschool Group – Valley Central CT Homeschoolers (Middletown, Meriden, and surrounding towns).
Homeschool Muslim CT – Muslim Homeschoolers in CT (mostly non-homeschoolers), many who do not CT residents. I help moderate, as time allows. We give as much resourceful Islamic homeschooling tips, since most families teach Islamic studies and Qur’an at home alongside their public or private school secular education.
CT Homeschoolers Community Cupboard – A place to find homeschool books and supplies to buy and sell.
Non-active CT homeschool groups
I stay listed just in case they get active again sometime in the future.
Between Counties
Our Homeschooled Children
Now, I never claim to know it all; so if I’ve missed any awesome homeschool groups throughout CT, please share the links or resources in the comments section below.
More Summer Islamic Reading & Writing Projects and Challenges
Alhumdulilah, Praise be to God, we love hosting the Summer Islamic Reading Program because we continue to build a community of Muslim families interested in raising Mu’minym (true believers) online. As we all know, the number one way is to Iqra (Read)! In addition to our daily Qur’anic studies, reading Islamic books for Sunnah, Sirah, Aqeedah, Fiqh, etc. is critical as well. Fortunately, there are many creative Muslim homeschooling and mommy bloggers sharing their activities online so we can duplicate their efforts, and focus all our attention to our Islamic Studies rather than reinventing the wheel.
First, jazaka Allahu Khayrun for those who registered and helping to promote our program:
- Maryam at Maryam’s Musings. A warm welcome to coming online with her new website/blog.
- Ummah Reads – InshaAllah, you will see us sharing book reviews for Muslims young & old.
- Our Learning Haven We’re so glad your family is registered for our 2nd year!
More Islamic Reading Projects and Challenges
- Family Reads is hosting a very ambitious Summer Read-a-Thon 2010. We look forward to seeing how much everyone reads, inshaAllah.
- Muslim Writers Publishing is hosting the 2010 Youth Summer Islamic Fiction Story Contest for children 9 to 13 years of age. They’re offering book gift certificates and publication on their blog for the winners, so grab your pens and start writing today!
- A Muslim Child is Born hosts a monthly “Together We Read” program designed for kids from birth to 5 years of age. Here is July 15 – August 15 program. All the files of the great projects are linked for your ease and pleasure, so enjoy!
2nd Annual Summer Islamic Reading Challenge
Only 14 more days, so register today!
If you know other great reading or writing projects for the summer, please share them below!
Muslim Kids Video – Islamic joke about making Salam versus Qur’an
A very cute and funny Islamic video that shows a kid’s innocent desire to gain ajr (a reward for doing a good deed or action) by making “Salam”…even to one who’s studying the Qur’an
Please share your thoughts about this week’s video in the comments section below. As always, if you have an Islamic movie video or nasheed you’d like to share, please let us know about it by clicking here.
2010 Summer Islamic Reading Challenge Kick-Off
We are so excited to host and launch the 2nd Annual Summer Islamic Reading Challenge from July 15 – August 15, 2010. Subhanallah, Glory be to God, today marks one year since we launched AmericanMuslimMom.com. Especially if this is your first time here, we hope that you’ll check out our past Archives to view our growth. We welcome your thoughts and feedback so we can better gauge your interests and further serve your currents needs and desires.
Alhumdulilah, we feel blessed that we’ve received numerous emails and even phone messages requesting if and when we’re going to host this Summer Reading Program again, so here it is! All you have to do is read at least one Islamic fiction or non-fiction book and share your honest review so we can post it online for everyone to read.
Objective:
- To read and review Islamic children and adult books from July 15, 2010 – August 15, 2010,
- Create a comprehensive list of recommended Islamic books, and
- Share the reviews with as many Muslim (and non-Muslim interested in Islam) children as possible, by publishing reviews on AmericanMuslimMom.com in our brand new channel just for Muslim Kids MuslimKids.AmericanMuslimMom.com [Today was officially launched!]
- All participants receive a prize.
*Participants may opt not to have their reviews published.
Rules:
- Participants must be make an official Intent to Participate, between July 15, 2010 and August 15, 2010,
- Any child from Birth– Senior Year of college/university, who is interested in reading Islamic non-fiction or fiction books (Non-Muslims welcomed),
- Participants must be a U.S. resident,
- Islamic books read should be at or near one’s reading level,
- Islamic books read aloud count,
- Islamic books can only be listed once,
- Only books read completely count, not partially read book,
- Islamic books must be read between July 15 – August 15, 2010,
- Use the Official Islamic Book Review Form and Reading Journal to review at least one Islamic book. A parent/guardian must sign the journal when it is completed.
- At least one Islamic book must be read and one Islamic book review form must be completed. Reading additional Islamic books are highly encouraged.
- While on prize will be given to all participants, additional Islamic books, games, gift certificates, etc. will be randomly selected.
- Limited to one additional award per child, per summer.
- The Founder/Owner/Publisher of AmericanMuslimMom.com and her family members are not eligible for prizes.
- Islamic schools. You are allowed to list the full-time, weekend or summer Islamic academy that you are a student of (you may only list one school). For homeschoolers, we recommend that you register as a local co-op, study group (youth halaqah). Whichever school has the most participants will receive a group of Islamic Books donated to their libraries.
- Deadline: Postmarked by August 15, 2010.
Instructions:
- * Register your child/ren from Birth – Senior Year of college/university, during the Reading Challenge period of July 15, 2010 – August 15, 2010 (details below)
- Print out the Official Islamic Book Review Form and Reading Journal * Children read books at their reading level, or read-aloud to by an adult
- Complete one full Islamic Book Review, and list additional Islamic books read on the journal with all sections completed. A parent/guardian must sign the journal when it is completed.
- Mail the completed review form and reading journal to the address provided on the Review Journal (one per child). Multiple children from the same household may send their journals in one envelope for your convenience.
- Each participant will be sent a certificate and a prize in the mail as promptly as possible.
- Special prizes will be awarded to different age or selected groups by criteria stated for that prize.
- Deadline: Postmarked by August 15, 2010.
How to Register:
[Purpose: We need to know the first name and age of each child to purchase the correct amount and appropriateness of prizes.]
- Participant must be officially signed-up on or before August 15, 2010.
- Participants can not register until the Official Kick-Off date of July 15,2010.
- Comment below on this Official Kick-Off webpage with your child or children’s first name(s) and last initial(s) and age(s).
- Having problems? Email: contact@americanmuslimmom.com
Children’s Design a Button Contest
Design a Button Coloring Contest Rules:
- Open the coloring page here.
- Design a Button. Create & Enjoy!
- Scan and email on or before 12 midnight EST August 15, 2010 to contact<at>americanmulismmom.com or postal mail it with your Official Book Journal.
- Email must state: (a) Child’s full name. Only the first name and last initial will be publicized. (b) Age and DOB (date of birth).
- Winning Design will be used for next year’s Summer Islamic Reading Challenge, inshaAllah.
About the Host:
AmericanMuslimMom.com started as a family blog in 2005 and is now a family-oriented online magazine that encourages Muslim Moms in America and American Muslim Moms living abroad to share their tips, tools and resources as they raise Mu’minyn (true believers) based on the Qur’an and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace & blessings be upon him). The community benefits from Islamic, motivational, educational, practical, and fun articles, reviews, videos, contests, giveaways and much more. To participate in the 2nd Annual Summer Islamic Reading Challenge and/or receive free gifts and prizes, logon to http://AmericanMuslimMom.com today!
AmericanMuslimMom.com is founded by Ponn M. Sabra a best-selling author, writer, columnist and internet marketer, homeschool mom of three girls, and past administrator of an Islamic weekend school, and full-time Islamic elementary learning center and daycare.
Comment Below to Read & Review Islamic Books.
Please help spread the word by sharing this article and/or posting our button on your blog.
CT Old State House Women In History Interactive Kids Program
CT Old State House just announced their next Children’s Program. My girls are terribly upset that we have a schedule conflict for the upcoming Women In History (American Revolutionary War) because they had a blast at the two programs they participated in February.
Both program were so incredibly fun (and educational) that the girls told the organizers and me that they want to host an Eid Party there! The girls shared what Eid is, and I shared how Big of a compliment it is for OSH; because we go all out for our 3-4 day festivities (depending which Eid it is) with parties, carnivals, field trips, dinners, tons of gifts, and family visitations. Having attended a couple of less than exciting Eid parties or events in the past (none of which I organized, of course), my girls have high standards for good quality fun. 
And, yes, those three interested beauties listening politely on the flyer are our girls. The littlest one said, “Mama, I was taking tons of notes during that session on the scavenger hunt too!” Click here for the OSH Women In History Prg flyer
When: March 31, 2010 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Participants should arrive by 10 a.m. for the start of the activities.
Program Details: Participants meet Connecticut women who made a difference- like Revolutionary War publisher Hannah Watson and suffragette Frances Ellen Burr. Enjoy a variety of activities and crafts that will immerse kids in the past.
Cost: $5 per child (includes admission).
* Pre-registration is encouraged as there is limited space. Call 860-522-6766, ext. 11 to sign up today!
Calling All Muslim Kids: Publish Your Work, Views and Jokes!
Although we requested contributions from Muslim Kids since the launch of the new site in July 2009, we didn’t have the necessary system or support in place to actively solicit submissions or publish regularly. Alhumdulilah (Praise be to God), we are presently prepared to compile and publish work by Muslim Kids for Muslim Kids on a regular basis. Alhumdulilah, we have over 2 dozen Muslim Kids Islamic Book Reviews yet to post from our 1st Annual Summer Islamic Reading Program. Subhanallah (Glory be to God), with 3 months until our next kick-off, we feel it’s perfect timing to post them now, inshaAllah, to get all our Muslim Kids excited for the upcoming program.
Categories for Submission
Muslim Kids Product Review
- A perfect example of how my 9 year old shares one of her favorite educational website, is by showing others how to register since there’s no available how-to guide online. So, if you can answer any of the following questions below, please complete this form.
- Do you have a favorite educational website you visit all the time? Please share it with others.
- Do you have a special toy, game, or program that you can’t live without? Please to tell us what it is and why it’s so great.
- Did you learn the Qur’an or Arabic through a software program that made it fun and easy? We’d love to hear about it.
Muslim Kids Weekly Video
- Every Sunday, inshaAllah, we showcase a Weekly Video in a blogpost, and place it on the right sidebar “Weekly Muslim Kids Video”.
- So, if you want to share your favorite nasheed or a funny Islamic video, please complete this form.
Muslim Kids Recipes
- On Tuesday’s we participate in a Tasty Tuesday meme. We find that recipes by kids for kids are well received by our readers.
- So, if you have a great, simple, healthy or not-so-healthy-but-delicious snack, meal or dessert to share, please complete this form.
Muslim Kids Jokes
- We just published our first funny Islamic joke here.
- So, if have another one to share, please make us laugh! Please complete this form.
Kids Book Review
- Do you love reading books? But, enjoy telling all your friends why he or she should read it even more!? We’ll, that’s called a book review.
- Book reviews are unlike book reports. Professional writers believe that writing book reviews is an ideal way for children to enjoy and improve their writing skills, because it’s an easy, fun, creative and rewarding writing exercise.
- You can even narrate your review to your parents. But, narration is meant for kids too young to write all their great thoughts and opinions down on paper.
- So, if you are ready to recommend your favorite book(s), please complete this form.
Want to be a Kid Blogger?
My 9.5, 8.5 and 6.5 year old daughters are having a blast blogging and vlogging!
We’re learning so much, spending quality family time together, sharing critical Islamic tips and lessons, growing our community, and actually winning prizes and free gifts along the way.
But, nothing is more important to us than receiving the blessings and acceptance of Allah (subhanallah wa’ Tala) as we worship Him and Only Him in all our work and play. Yar Rabb. Ameen.
We’re very interested in showcasing more Muslim kid bloggers here at American Muslim Mom. So, if you’d like to write for us, comment below or contact us with your suggestions and recommendations. Recommendations leading kids away from haram things is highly recommended.
Additional ideas include:
- Do you have an arts and crafts project you want to showcase? Please teach others how to duplicate your work.
- Want to share your favorite poem, du’a, or short story and become a published writer?
- Do you have tips that make your daily tasks easier? Please let other Muslim kids benefit from your wise ways.
- Did your class or homeschool family just figure out a fun way to learn a difficult-to-understand topic or concept? Share your lesson plans with us, like we did here.
- Would like to share your political commentary on breaking news? Innocent kids often say it best!
We look forward to showcasing educational, fun and motivational tips, tools and resources from the wise, innocent, and often humorous mouths of our children, inshaAllah. So, please comment below, contact us directly, or submit your work through one of the category forms above.
Please allow 28 business days for review. If you haven’t heard from us within that time frame, you may re-submit your idea.
*Disclosure: As a family-friendly Muslim Mom online magazine and blog community, healthy submissions in accordance to the Qur’an and Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) are encouraged. Our intention is to support the work of Muslim Kids and publish it accordingly. We reserve the right to edit, amend, delete, stop or ban anything deemed inappropriate or disrespectful.
Journal for our Alice.org Experiences
Our 9 year old’s journey to computer programming.
CT Homeschool Group SixFlags Read to Succeed Six Hour Reading Club
Deadline to Complete Registration: Monday, March 8, 2010 7:00pm EST.
We apologize for the late notice. All families who registered via phone and email during the fall 2009 with me are all registered. This post is made as a courtesy by opening it up to all members of the many CT homeschool groups we belong too, as well as any CT homeschooler who follows American Muslim Mom.
/sixflagsread
2009-2010 Read to Succeed and Six Flags Six Hour Reading Club program
How it works:
Free admissions tickers are given to all children in Grades K – 6 who complete six hours of reading since the inception of the program this past fall. Each participating Teacher/Parent will also receive one free admission ticket.
Tickets are valid at participating Six Flags theme parks from June 14 through August 8, 2010 only. (Note: Valid dates for The Great Escape ONLY: June 28 through August 15, 2010.) Lost, stolen, or damaged tickets cannot be replaced.
What To Do:
Parent Educators must fill our the following form completely by 7:00pm EST tomorrow, March 8, 2010.*
Additional downloads:
If you have any questions or concerns, comment below or email contact<at>americanmuslimmom.com
Science, Techonology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Tips for Kids
My girls and I were so bummed that our tweets were not showing up for our very first participation in a Girls Night Out (twitter hashtag #gno) with dear mommy blogger Jyl at MomItForward.com this past Tuesday because the topic was dear to our hearts: Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM).
We had some short tips ready to share with the mommies, and we tried our best to keep up with the questions only to find that no one can see us 
So, mid-way through we dropped out of the party
But, I couldn’t let our humble tips go unnoticed, so I shared some of our tweets below. [At the time of posting this, we just noticed that Jyl had the awesome idea of sharing wonderful tips shared from that night in this comprehensive post here.]
*Tip: If we have a link in the tweet, just click the image because it’s linked to that site.
1. STEM Homeschooling Parents
Introduction and one reason why this #gno was important so important to us:
2. Getting kids excited about STEM
Q1: Get kids into Inventing/Designing for an Inv Convention *not* just a sci fair: http://bit.ly/3igeh4
Q1: the reaction of testing sugar, warm H20 & yeast is fun http://bit.ly/bYeJdU TipL not boiling hot H20, warm tap
3. Websites to help kids enjoy learning Math and Science:
Q2: Math Another *Great* website: http://www.coolmath-games.com
Q2: Math *Great* website: http://www.arcademicskillbuilders.com/ We use in our Math Club
4. What do your kids want to be? What did you want to be when you were growing up?
5. Thoughts about how STEM classes are taught in school Then and Now:
6. Was there a stigma for girls entering STEM when you were growing up?
Remember, we only have 3 girls; so if there’s definitely no stigma in our house May God have mercy on Mommy’s soul–we miss you
We’d love to try all your wonderful STEM tips! Please share them below.
