Ramadan Mubarak!

Ramadan Mubarak!
The Muslim Month of Fasting
Social Studies Curriculum: Traditions and Celebrations
Includes: Elementary Level
•
Teacher Background Information
•
Lesson Plans
•
Black-Line Masters
•
Fiction and Non-Fiction Resources
•
School-Wide Celebration Ideas
by Jasmin Zine and Suzanne Muir
Pathways
5151 Sunray Dr.
Mississauga, ON
Canada
L5R 2V3
Copyright ©
Jasmin Zine and Suzanne Muir 2000.
All rights reserved. No reproductions in part or whole are allowed without contract
agreement with Pathways. Educators please refer to board contract.
To order this unit and /or book kits that accompany :
Please contact the authors,
Suzanne Muir or Jasmin Zine
C/o Pathways
5151 Sunray Dr., Mississauga ON, Canada, L5R 2V3
phone: 905-501-0994
fax:
905-829-1440
email:
muirnawaz@yahoo.com
Thanks to Kelly Rice and Naheed Mustafa for
editing.
Ramadan Mubarak!
Table of Contents
Introduction for Teachers
4
Ministry of Education
Social Studies Expectations Chart
6
Lessons
1. Introducing Muslims and Ramadan
Small group fact finding
7
2. Schlessinger Ramadan Video
Listening/ comprehension
19
3. Fozia and Muhammed
Ramadan in different cultures
Compare and Contrast
23
4. Ramadan Clock
Telling time creative math
29
5. Mapping Phases of the Moon
Science observation/ inquiry
32
6. A Global Tea Party
Role-play Simulation activity
36
7. Making Fanooz Lanterns
Art activity
42
8. Decorating Mehndi Hands
Art activity
48
9. Celebrating Eid-Ul-Fitr
Comparison Chart
Art activity – collage/ holiday cards
53
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Table of Contents
School Wide Activities
59
Assessment
Group Work Evaluation Sheet
Rubric – Graphic Organizer
Rubric – Art Activity
62
63
64
Black Line Masters
65
Spelling / Vocabulary Words
Activity Sheet – Word Match
Activity Sheet – Word Game
Activity Sheet -- Word Find
Activity Sheet – Acrostic Poetry
Activity Sheet – Chime-Ins
Activity Sheet – Tessellations
66
67
68
69
70
71
73
Photos/ Illustrations
Dhikr Beads
Prayer Mat
Astrolabe
Arabic Calligraphy
74
75
76
77
Sample Communications with Parents
78
Glossary of Arabic Words
79
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Introduction for Teachers
In a multicultural society like North America, it is important to acknowledge the
diverse cultures, customs, traditions and celebrations that make up the fabric of our
communities. The idea that the world is a “global village” is evident by the variety of
peoples, cultures, languages and faiths that have come to constitute the makeup of our
diverse society. Through understanding the various global heritages that have become
part of our local world we can move toward building a stronger sense of citizenship and
community. Gaining knowledge of traditions from outside of the dominant culture is
important to developing a global, as well as local citizenry.
This unit provides lessons, information sheets, stories and illustrations that
introduce teachers and students to the traditions and celebrations of Islam as they are
practiced in North America and worldwide. Students will learn about how other Muslim
children and families experience the tradition of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid-UlFitr through art, role-play, and cooperative group work activities. The resources (books,
CDROM and videos) available with this unit also help bring these traditions to life for
students in fun and creative ways.
Introduction to Ramadan: An Islamic Tradition
Background Information:
Ramadan is a very important and ancient tradition among the 1 billion Muslims
worldwide. The way of life called “Islam” practiced by Muslims, is currently the second
largest and fastest growing religion in North America. The word “Islam” means peace
and submission to God. The name of God in Arabic, the language of Islam, is “Allah.” A
“Muslim” is a person who adheres to the faith of Islam.
The fundamental beliefs and practices of Islam are referred to as the “Five Pillars
of Islam.” These include the following beliefs and practices:
1) Shahadah- The declaration of faith professing that there is only God and the
prohet Muhammed is His Messenger.
2) Salat- Five daily prayers conducted at appointed times
3) Sawm- Fasting (no food or water from sunrise to sunset) during the month of
Ramadan
4) Zakat- Percentage of income donated to the poor
5) Hajj- The pilgrimage to Mecca
Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar and it begins when a
new moon is sighted. Ramadan is particularly important since Muslims believe that the
Holy Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammed during this month in the year 610
CE. Muslims follow a tradition of fasting from sunrise until sunset everyday for the entire
month. Children usually begin fasting after the age of puberty, but many families
encourage younger children to fast for short periods through the month. The elderly and
ill people, pregnant and nursing mothers are exempt from fasting.
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Each day when the time of fasting ends at sunset, Muslims traditionally break
their fast with dates and water and then are able to eat until the sun rises the following
day. Families wake before dawn to eat an early morning meal called suhoor before the
day of fasting begins. Every evening Muslims attend their local mosques or houses of
worship to perform a special prayer called taraweeh. It is over the course of these
evening prayers that an imam or leader of the prayer who has committed the Qur’an to
memory recites the entire book.
Performing charity and good deeds as well as controlling one’s anger is also part
of the traditional practice of Ramadan. Fasting contributes to an understanding of hunger
and therefore consciousness of the poor and encourages self-control, discipline and
patience. The end of Ramadan heralds the celebration of Eid-Ul- Fitr, the feast after the
fast. The day of Eid is also determined by the sighting of the moon, but Ramadan
normally last for 30 days. Eid celebrations include a congregational morning prayer after
which families visit one another and enjoy traditional meals. New clothes are worn on
Eid and women often paint their hands with henna decorations. Children receive money
and small gifts.
This unit focuses on many of the shared values embodied in Ramadan such as
charity, good deeds, kindness and respect for others. The activities and accompanying
resources allow students to gain an understanding of these important traditions and
celebrations of Islam in many creative, interactive and educational ways.
How to Use this Unit:
We recommend that you teach this unit in its social context - that is during the
month of Ramadan if possible. Many schools struggle with the ability to acknowledge
and respect holidays of the world in an effective way. Some feel that there are just too
many holidays and sadly decide not to recognize any.
This unit may be tied in effectively with the winter holiday period where students
may study and recognize Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukah and the Lunar New Year.
Certainly for the next few years, 2000-2005, it would be an appropriate time of year as
Ramadan and Eid will fall at this time as well. If it is not possible to teach this unit during
Ramadan then another appropriate time of year would be Asian History and Awareness
month in May.
We also recommend that as you would with any cross-cultural study you inform
parents of your students so that they may add their own experiences and expertise to your
study and allow their children to opt out of any activities that may conflict with their own
culture or faith practices.
As an educator your comfort level and ability to prepare your class for crosscultural study will have an impact on how well the unit is received by your students.
Please talk about the need for students to respect differences as they study a different
culture from their own and that they will learn about information that they may find
“unusual” from their own experience. Especially when dealing with another faith it
certainly helps to give students the message: “You will be learning about the way of life
called “Islam” but that doesn’t mean you have to agree with it or believe in it." Most
importantly have fun and open your students' eyes to a way of life that may be different
from their own.
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Ministry of Education Social Studies Expectations
Heritage and Citizenship – Grade 2: Traditions and Celebrations p.17/18
Expectations
Activity
Demonstrate an understanding that
communities may be made up of
many cultures.
Demonstrate an understanding that
traditions are passed down from
parents and grandparents
Identify ways in which heritage and
traditions are passed on.
Identify the significant features of
various family cultures.
Use appropriate vocabulary to
describe their inquiries and
observations.
Locate simple information about
family history and traditions from
primary sources and secondary
sources.
Sort and classify information using
more than one attribute.
Make and read a variety of graphs,
charts, diagrams, maps and models
for specific purposes.
Share family traditions with
members of the class.
Identify contributions that various
cultures have made to the
community.
Identify community celebrations
that reflect their own heritage and
Canadian identity.
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Ramadan Mubarak!
1 - Introducing Muslims and Ramadan:
Who- What-Where-Why and When?
Cooperative and interactive small group work
using survey methods for collecting inform
information.
ation.
(60 min)
Overview
This lesson will introduce students to the basic beliefs of Islam and the tradition of
Ramadan. Students will work in small “expert” groups to understand one aspect of
each of these beliefs and traditions. Members of the group designated as “fact-finders”
will visit other groups to “collect” facts, while remaining group members remain to
share information with fact-finders from other groups.
Materials
•
•
Handout- Fact Sheets
Ramadan and Muslims worksheets
The Activity
1) Divide the class into five groups and give each group the appropriate information
fact sheet. (Note: Information sheets are labeled according to group number 1-5)
2) Assign 2-3 students in each group to be “fact finders” and the rest to be the
“experts.”
3) Handout the Ramadan and Muslims worksheet to all students and have them fill
out the answers to the worksheets using the fact sheets they were given.
4) Explain to the students that they only have some of the answers on their
worksheets and will have to send their “fact finders” to the other groups to get the
rest of the answers. The rest of the group will stay behind to be the “experts”
when other fact finders come to their group looking for answers from their fact
sheets.
5) When all the worksheets are complete, take up the answers as a group.
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Assessment Strategies
Rubric for self evaluation/group work
- group discussion
- worksheets
Modifications and Extensions
Students may complete the exercise individually or in one group only after being
given all the fact sheets
Have students compare Ramadan traditions with other traditions from their
culture
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Ramadan and Muslims
GROUP # 1 Who are Muslims?
Muslims are people
who follow the
religion and
traditions of Islam.
Islam is a religion
followed by people
all over the world.
Muslims pray
together in
buildings called
Mosques
The Five Pillars of Islam explain what Muslims
believe and do:
a. Muslims believe in the oneness of God
and the messengers of God including
Muhammed.
b. Muslims pray 5 times a day.
c. Muslims fast in Ramadan.
d. Muslims pay money to help the poor.
e. Muslims visit Mecca to make the Hajj
journey.
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Ramadan and Muslims
GROUP # 2 What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is a month of fasting where Muslims do not
eat or drink anything from sunrise to sunset.
Fasting helps people to
understand what it feels
like not to have food.
Ramadan is a time to do
extra good deeds and give
to the poor.
In Ramadan, Muslims
recite their entire holy
book, the Qur’an, in
special prayers at the mosque.
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Ramadan and Muslims
________________________________________________________________________
Group #3
Where do people practice the tradition of Ramadan?
Muslims all over the world practice Ramadan. There are
1 billion Muslims worldwide.
In some countries,
most of the people
are Muslims. For
example: Saudi
Arabia, Pakistan,
Iran, Iraq,
Somalia and all of
North Africa.
There are also
many Muslims in
India, China,
Europe, Central
Asia, Indonesia
and North
America.
All over the world Muslim follow the tradition of eating
dates to break their fasts at sunset time.
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Ramadan and Muslims
GROUP # 4 Why is Ramadan important?
Ramadan is very important
because Muslims believe this
is the month when the Holy
Qur’an was revealed to the
Prophet Muhammed.
The most important night
during Ramadan is called
Lailatul Qadr, “The Night of
Power,” when Muslims pray
all night.
Ramadan is a time of
sharing, helping others, being
kind and trying not to be
angry.
Not eating or drinking
during the day reminds
Muslims of people who are
hungry and also helps
Muslims to be patient.
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Ramadan and Muslims
________________________________________________________________________
GROUP # 5 When is Eid-ul-Fitr celebrated?
Eid-Ul-Fitr is celebrated at the end of the month of
Ramadan.
Muslims gather for a special prayer in the morning on
Eid day.
People wear their best new clothes on Eid day.
Children receive money and
small gifts to celebrate EidUl-Fitr.
Eid is a time when families
and friends come together
to celebrate and share
traditional meals.
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Ramadan and Muslims-Worksheet
Fill in the blanks below with information from your fact sheets and
from other “expert” groups:
1. Who are Muslims?
Muslims are people who follow the religion and traditions
of_________________.
Islam
Africa
Buddha
People pray together in buildings called
_______________________.
minarets mosques tents
There are _____________ Pillars that explain what Muslims
believe and do.
3
2
5
These are the Five Pillars:
1) Muslims _____________ that there is one God and that the
Prophet Muhammed is his messenger.
2) Muslims pray ____________ times every day.
3) Muslims __________ in the month of Ramadan.
4) Muslims give _______________ to the poor.
5) Muslims visit the Holy city of _____________, a trip called
the ________________.
five
believe
fast
Mecca
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Hajj
money
Ramadan Mubarak!
Ramadan and Muslims-Worksheet
Fill in the blanks below with information from your fact sheets and
from other “expert” groups:
2. What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is a month of __________________ where people do not
__________ or
_______________ anything from____________________ to
___________________.
sunrise
fasting
eat
sunset
drink
Fasting helps people to understand what it feels like not to have
_______________.
enough food
a car
toys
Ramadan is a time to do
extra_______________________________ and to give to the
_______________.
good deeds
laundry
poor
rich
In ______________________, Muslims recite their entire holy
book, the _________________, in special prayers at the
____________________.
mosque
Qur’an
Ramadan
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Ramadan and Muslims-Worksheet
Fill in the blanks below with information from your fact sheets and
from other “expert” groups:
3. Where do people practice the tradition of Ramadan?
Muslims all over the ________________ practice the tradition of
Ramadan. There are 1________________________ Muslims
worldwide.
city
world
160
billion
In some countries most of the people are Muslim. For example,
Saudi Arabia,__________________________,
Iran,_______________, Somalia and all
of_______________________________________.
Canada
Pakistan
North Africa
Iraq
There are also many Muslims in India, __________________,
Europe, Central Asia, Indonesia and
_______________________________.
China
North America
All over the world, Muslims eat _____________ to break their
fast at ____________________ time.
donuts
sunrise
sunset
dates
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Ramadan and Muslims-Worksheet
Fill in the blanks below with information from your fact sheets and from
other “expert” groups:
4. Why is Ramadan Important?
_________________ is very important because Muslims believe this is the
month when the Holy __________________ was revealed to the
Prophet______________________.
Qur’an
Ramadan
Muhammed
The most important night during Ramadan is called Lailatul Qadr, the
“___________________________________________,” when Muslims pray
all _______________.
Night of Power day
night
Ramadan is a time of ____________________ and __________________
others.
patience
helping
anger
sharing
Not __________________ or _________________________ during the day
reminds Muslims of others who are _________________________.
eating
hungry
drinking
Fasting also helps Muslims to be ____________________.
patient
happy
sad
Ramadan is an important time when Muslims are reminded to be
________________ and not show __________________toward others.
anger
kind
selfish
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Ramadan and Muslims-Worksheet
Fill in the blanks below with information from your fact sheets and
from other “expert” groups:
5. When is Eid-ul-Fitr celebrated?
Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated at the ____________ of the month of
____________________.
start
Ramadan
end
______________________ gather for a special
__________________ in the morning on Eid day.
Muslims
feast
prayer
People wear their best new _____________________ on Eid day.
houses
clothes
Eid is a time when ___________________ and
__________________ come together to
______________________ and share
traditional________________.
friends
family
meals
celebrate
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eat
Ramadan Mubarak!
2. Schlessinger Ramadan Video
Large group activity
‘Video and Worksheet
60 minutes
Overview
The students will watch the Ramadan video by Schlessinger and answer
comprehension questions.
Materials
•
•
•
Schlessinger Ramadan Holiday Video
Ramadan Video Time Log
Handout – Ramadan Video Comprehension Sheets 1 & 2
The Activity
1. Introduce the questions in the Follow Up Sheet by reading them aloud together as a
class.
2. Watch the Ramadan video and pause if necessary after a segment to allow students to
write their response on the follow-up sheet.
3. Allow time for the students to reflect and write about this question:
“Write and/or draw something you found out about Ramadan from the video.”
Assessment Strategies
Assess the follow-up sheet for listening skills.
Modifications and Extensions
Using found materials, children can recreate the art activity from the video –
building a diorama of a mosque/minaret at night.
Answer the follow-up questions as a class discussion using flip chart paper.
Role-play the cartoon story about the man and the gold coins and invite the
students to change the ending.
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“Ramadan”Video Comprehension Sheet 1
1.Where did Muhammed go when people didn’t believe him
in Mecca?
2. What do Muslim people eat early in the morning before
the sun rises?
3. Along with not eating or drinking what else do Muslim
people try to avoid during Ramadan?
4. What’s the name of the tower on the mosque that the
lady was building in the art activity?
5.What kind of musical instruments were the men
playing?
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“Ramadan” Video Comprehension Sheet
Answers for the teacher:
1. The city of Medina.
2. A breakfast called Suhoor.
3. Getting angry or impatient.
4. A minaret.
5. Drum called a doumbek, electric keyboard, oud or
guitar.
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“Ramadan” Video Comprehension Sheet 2
Write and/or draw something new you found out about
Ramadan from the video.
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3. Fozia and Muhammed
Ramadan in different cultures – compare and contrast
Large group discussion
Small group written work
2 classes – 6 o minutes
Overview
Students will compare the lives of two Muslim children during the month of Ramadan.
Fozia is a Pakistani girl who lives in a city in England and Muhammed is a Taureg boy
who lives in the desert. Other cultural comparisons provide students with information
to describe the cultural diversity of the Muslim world community.
Materials
•
•
•
•
One Night by Christina Kessler – available in the Pathways Ramadan book kit.
Eid-Ul-Fitr by Susheila Stone – available in the Pathways Ramadan book kit.
Handouts – Muhammed Celebrates Eid in the Desert.
Ramadan across the world
World Map
The Activity
1. Read Eid-Ul-Fitr by S. Stone to the children. Locate England on a World Map or
globe and talk about which hemisphere it is located in. *note: if book is not available
use handout provided.
2. Using flip chart ask the children to recall from the story the following information:
a. What did Fozia’s home look like? ( describe urban home life / link to climate)
b. What did she do during the day? (goes to school, shopping, cooking etc.)
c. What kind of clothes did she and her family wear?
d. What kind of food did her family eat?
e. What is important to her family?
3. Read One Night by C. Kessler to the children. *note: if book is not available use
handouts provided. Locate North Africa on a world map or globe and talk about the
southern hemisphere. Discuss proximity to the equator.
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Ramadan Mubarak!
4. Using flip chart paper to record, ask the children to recall the following information
from the story:
a. What did Muhammed’s home look like? (link to climate)
b. What did he do during the day?
c. What kind of clothes did he and his family wear? (link to climate)
d. What kind of food did his family eat?
e. What is important to his family?
5. In Eid-Ul-Fitr the celebration of the end of Ramadan is described but in One Night it
is not. Invite the children to draw a picture and/or write another ending to the story of
One Night based on what they know about Muhammed. How do they think he might
celebrate Eid in the desert?
Assessment Strategies
See graphic organizer rubric
See group work evaluation
Modifications and Extensions
On the world map handout invite students to chart all the cultures from the
Ramadan Around the World handout using an atlas.
Use the internet to research other interesting information about the Tuareg culture.
Do a project about deserts and other desert cultures.
Create a museum in your classroom making Islamic artifacts out of found
materials, paper, cloth, etc. (ex. prayer mats, prayer beads, clothing, presents for
Eid, decorations used at Eid)
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Muhammed Celebrates Eid in the Desert.
When Muhammed returned home
it was almost time for Eid. In his
family…
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Ramadan Around the World
Amer - Toronto, Canada
Hi my name is Amer and I live in Toronto,
Canada. I am in grade 2 and I am Muslim.
My mother’s family has lived in Canada
for 5 generations and my father’s family
has lived in Canada for 30 years. This
year I’m really excited because Ramadan
and Eid-Ul-Fitr are coming up in
December. Since we live in the northern
hemisphere, waking up for suhoor breakfast
is going to be easy because the sun doesn’t
rise until 7:30 am and
fasting will end at
around 4:45 pm. Eid is
going to be a lot of fun
because my dad is going to take me and my
friends skating at the local park. It’s going to be cold by then and
I’ll have to wear my snowsuit, hat and mittens. My mom is going to
let me pick out my own new sweater for Eid this year at the
shopping plaza. On Eid day we can miss school and we will say “Eid
Mubarak” to our friends when we go to Salaat (prayers) at the
mosque. Afterwards, we are going to my grandmother’s house for
lunch where all my cousins will join us for a big party. Grandma is
going to cook roast beef and mashed potatoes. We might even get
some Eid money as a present. Eid in Canada is a lot of fun because
I have friends of many cultures and we can share our food and
traditions.
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Ramadan Around the World
Noora - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Hi my name is Noora and I live in Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia. I am 7 years old and I
am Muslim. My family has always lived in
Malaysia. Malaysia is in the southern
hemisphere and right now during Ramadan
it is really hot weather and people get
tired easily. After we pray Zuhr
(noon prayer) we all take a nap. It
helps us get through the long day
of fasting and have enough
energy to cook food for our
iftaar. This year I am really
looking forward to Aid-Ul-Fitri
when we will say “Salamat Hari
Raya” to all our friends. I can’t wait to go
to the market with my parents and eat
those little cookies filled with pineapple –
yummy! At the end of Ramadan we will
get three days off school to celebrate
Hari Raya. We will spend the whole month
after Ramadan visiting all our friends and
family for parties. My mom is going to buy me a new dress called a
Baju Kurung. It’s a long skirt and a tunic that matches made out
of light cotton for the hot weather. “Salamat Hari Raya” – Happy
Eid!
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Ramadan Around the World
Abdi – Mogadishu, Somalia
Hi my name is Abdi and I live in Somalia. I am 7 years old and I
am Muslim. My family has always lived in Somalia but now because
of the war many of our family members
have moved to other countries. Because
of the fighting school is closed and I take
my lessons at home with my aunty and her
children. Somalia is in
North Africa and the climate is hot and dry. Even
though there has been a lot of fighting we are
trying to celebrate Ramadan and Eid-Ul-Fitr. My
mom continues to wake up early and make
samboosa
(meat filled pastries) and hot
cinnamon tea. We will have
the samboosa later for
Iftaar. We are weaving a new
prayer rug for Eid and my
mom is going to stitch me a
new shirt to wear to the
Masjid for prayers. For Eid
my dad is going to buy some
beef for us to eat and make into stew. My brothers and sisters
are trying to read more Qur’an and play nicely together during
Ramadan. My prayers this Eid are for peace. Eid Mubarak!
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Ramadan Mubarak!
4. Ramadan Clock
Individual Activity
Creative Math (60 min)
Integration of Expectations
Meet the following math expectations:
• estimate the passage of time using minutes and hours
• read digital and analog clocks and write time to the quarter hour
• solve problems related to their day-to-day environment using concrete
experiences of measurement
• Understanding of and ability to apply measurement terms (eg. minute, hour)
Overview
Students will learn concepts of time by making their own clocks and identifying the times
of fasting in Ramadan as being sunrise and sunset. Students will complete math
worksheets using the Ramadan clocks to solve time problems.
Materials
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Large cardboard paper plates (1 per student)
Precut strips of cardboard or construction paper
Scissors
Duotang pin
Art supplies, crayons, markers
Newspaper
Handout- Math time problems
The Activity
1) Read “ Zaki’s Ramadan Fast" to introduce the activity.
2) Check a local newspaper for the times of sunrise and sunset and note these times on
the board. (Note: prayer schedules are also available from local mosques that indicate
these times as they change throughout the month of Ramadan)
3) Explain to students that they will be making clocks that show the times of fasting in
Ramadan (beginning at sunrise and ending at sunset).
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Ramadan Mubarak!
4) Distribute paper plates, cardboard strips, duotang pins, scissors and art supplies to
students.
5) Using a sample pre-made clock, explain the process of making the clock:
•
•
•
•
Write the numbers on the clock and colour in a small circle in the center
Cut out 2 strips of cardboard into two arrow shapes one long (minute hand), one short
(hour hand)
Join the 2 square ends of the strips in the center and insert duotang pin to hold in
place
Using the times for sunrise and sunset on the board ask students to try to make their
clocks show these times by moving the hands to the correct location
6) Give students the math worksheet handout and complete problems individually or as
a whole group.
Assessment Strategies
Assess finished clocks and math worksheets
Modifications and Extensions
Have students monitor the newspaper daily to note the change in sunrise and
sunset times throughout the month. Ask students to determine whether the days
are getting longer or shorter and the number of minutes that change each day.
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Ramadan Mubarak!
RAMADAN CLOCK TIME PROBLEMS
Use your Ramadan Clock to help solve these problems:
1) Aisha came home from school at 3:45 pm. She still had 1 hour until it was
time to break her fast. What time would it be in 1 hour?
__________________________________________________
2) Omar set his alarm clock 1 hour before sunrise to eat his morning meal. If
sunrise is at 4:15 am, what time did Omar wake up?
___________________________________________________
3) Latifa’s mother said she had 15 minutes left before sunset time. The clock
showed the time as 4:30 am. What time would it be in 15 minutes?
__________________________________________________
4) If Hameed has 15 minutes left to eat his breakfast before the sun rises at
5:45 am, what time is it?
___________________________________________________
5) Amina has 45 minutes to get to the mosque for Eid celebrations. The clock
says 7:30 am. What time will she get there?
__________________________________________________
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Ramadan Mubarak!
5. Mapping Phases of the Moon
Science group work
Individual activity
60 minutes
Overview
Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar calendar. The children will learn about how
the Islamic calendar is calculated and do an investigation into the phases of the moon
by tracking its changes over a month period. Note: it is best to start this activity when
the moon is just starting to become a sliver/crescent at the beginning of Ramadan.
Materials
•
•
•
Daily newspaper – 5 copies of the page with the weather/ phases of the moon.
Paper, pencil
Handout – Mapping Phases of Moon - Record Your Observations
The Activity
1. In a large group ask students to list the months of the year (January through
December) on flip-chart paper.
2. Display the months of the Islamic year on a flip-chart paper and do a choral reading
of the names. Highlight the word Ramadan. Have the students count and discover that
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
3. Read the information sheet to the children about Moon sightings for Ramadan and
Eid. If available read from page 12 of Id-Ul-Fitr by K.Marchant.
4. Divide the children into 5 smaller group and hand out to each group a newspaper. Ask
them to find the picture of the moon in the newspaper and copy the picture into their
“Record Your Observations “sheet.
5. Then once a week for the next 5 weeks. Ask the children to look in the sky in the late
afternoon or early evening when the moon becomes visible and record the shape of
the moon on their “Record Your Observations” sheet.
6. At the end of the month just after Eid-Ul-Fitr invite the students to compare their
observation sheets and notice any pattern to the phases of the moon.
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Ramadan Mubarak!
7. Using a book of flags, the children can find all the flags of the world that have a
crescent moon and record the names of the countries. Then they can compare the
crescent and maple leaf as symbols on flags.
Assessment Strategies
“Record Your Observation Sheets” can be marked
Group Evaluation Sheet
Modifications and Extensions
Watch the music video clip on Adams World – Ramadan Mubarak video about
sighting the moon and welcoming the month of Ramadan.
Book mark a web site where students can see the phases of moon change daily.
Look up “moon phases” on Yahooligans!
Have the students do moon artwork. They can create crescent moons and stars
with the template provided to decorate the classroom or stamp crescent moons to
make gift wrap for Eid presents.
Suggested Resources
Adam’s World – Ramadan Mubarak Video available at Pathways 905-501-0994
Non fiction book Id-Ul-Fitr by Karena Marchant p. 12
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Student Information
Sighting the Moon -Months of the Islamic Calendar
The Muslim calendar is called the
Hijra calendar because it started
from the year 622 CE when the
prophet Muhammed and his followers
left their home city of Mecca and
traveled to a new city called Medina,
Saudi Arabia.
The Hijra calendar has 12 months that can be 29 or 30 days long according
to the moon. The Muslim year is 11 days shorter than the system we use now
of 365 days per year. This means that each year Ramadan and Eid-Ul-Fitr
come 11 days earlier than the previous year. Throughout a Muslim’s lifetime
she or he will fast during each season of the year.
During the nights leading up to Ramadan Muslims watch the sky for
the new crescent moon to appear. When it is spotted they know the
next day will be the first day of Ramadan. This is very exciting for
Muslims each year to find out the exact moment when Ramadan will begin. At
the end of Ramadan Muslim people watch the sky again to see the new moon
of the month of Shawwal. Then they know that the next day will be Eid.
Muslim Month of the Year
1. Muharram
2. Safar
3. Rabi-Ul-Awwal
4. Rabi-Ul-Akhir
5. Jamada-Al-Awwal
6. Jamada-AL-Akhir
7. Rajab
8. Sha’ban
9. Ramadan
10. Shawwal
11. Dhul-Qa’adda
12. Dhul-Hijja
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Mapping the Phases of the Moon
Record Your Observations - Student Sheet
Week 1: _____________________
Week 2:_______________________
Week 3:____________________
Week 4: ________________________
Week 5: _____________________
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Ramadan Mubarak!
6. A Global Tea Party
Creative Role Play Activity (60 min)
Overview
Students will engage in a role play activity to help them understand issues of poverty
and social inequality that are recognized through the Islamic practice of fasting. The
lesson focuses on the global reality of poverty and privilege and allows students to
examine the social relations this will produce.
Materials
•
•
•
•
•
Information Sheet- “The Story of Ramadan Sharing”
Fancy cookies ( enough for 5 or 6 students- 2 or 3 cookies each, plus extra)
Plain cookies or saltine crackers (enough for the rest of the class- one per person)
A fancy table setting – table cloth, napkins, real plates, flowers (optional)
Paper towels
The Activity
1) Read the “Story of Ramadan Sharing” to the class. The story helps provide a context
for understanding different social circumstances such as wealth and poverty.
2) Explain to students that they will be having a “tea party” in the class and will be
learning about how fasting in Ramadan helps make the rich understand what it feels
like to be poor. (Note: After this explanation, the activity should be done after a break
such as recess to allow for the teacher to prepare)
3) Set a table with seating for 5-6 students and 2-3 fancy cookies on each plate.
4) When students enter the classroom, ask the first 5 or 6 students to enter and sit at the
table. Ask all other students to sit on the floor.
5) Give students sitting on the floor a paper towel and 1 plain cookie or saltine cracker
each.
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Ramadan Mubarak!
6) Explain that the tea party represents how many people in the world and in our own
communities have less food and resources than a smaller number who have greater
wealth and privilege.
(Note: Connect this experience to the story and the tradition of fasting in Ramadan that
helps the rich to understand and appreciate what the poor experience every day. Both rich
and poor fast in Ramadan, but break their fast with food according to their means. Those
who have more are expected to share a portion of their wealth with those who have less
and to share their food with other families in the month of Ramadan).
7) Observe and monitor class behavior during the exercise: How do students react to
their circumstances in the 2 groups?
8) Restore balance: After the exercise, give all students a fancy cookie as they sit down
to debrief and reflect on the activity.
9) Have students share their feelings during the activity and share your own
observations. Students can also write a journal reflection about their experience.
(Note: Many students in our own classrooms share in these situations of economic
inequality. The teacher should handle this with sensitivity).
Assessment Strategies
-See self evaluation rubric
-Group discussion
-Written Reflection
Modifications and Extensions
Organize your own “Project Hope” and collect goods to send to aid agencies
abroad or local charities (see List of School-wide Activities for suggestions).
Extend the students awareness of poverty and privilege by engaging in other
community work activities, such as volunteering in a food bank, organizing a
charity bake sale or food drive.
Watch the Ramadan Mubarak video (Soundvision) and see the story about sharing
food with orphans during Ramadan.
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Global Tea Party Information Sheet- Handout
A STORY OF RAMADAN SHARING
It was a special day for Usama. Not only was
it the first day of Ramadan, but he had just made a
new friend at school! Yusuf was a new boy at
school who had just begun grade six at Pierre Elliot
Trudeau Elementary School. Usama and Yusuf met
each other outside the cafeteria at lunchtime.
Usama was about to go inside when he
remembered that it was Ramadan and he would
not eat or drink anything until the sun went
down in the evening. He remembered waking up
early before daylight to have a delicious
breakfast of pancakes and eggs before
performing the early-morning prayer. When he
grumbled about having to wake up extra early
his mother reminded him that Ramadan was a
very important tradition and that all over the
world Muslims were waking up extra early to
eat breakfast before the sun came up so that
they could fast for the rest of the day. This made Usama feel better. He
was sharing an important tradition, not just with his family, but with
millions of people all around the world.
Usama met Yusuf just as he
decided to go outside and play
basketball while his friends ate
their lunch. Yusuf seemed a little
lost, which was only natural since
he was new to the school. Usama
noticed he was not eating lunch
either, and was happy to find out
that Yusuf was also fasting for
Ramadan. The two went to the
schoolyard and shot some hoops
while they talked. Yusuf explained
that his family had just moved to Canada from Albania, a small country
in Europe. He told Usama of the war in his homeland of Kosova and how
his family had to leave their farm and all their belongings behind to
escape bombs and villages that were set on fire. He walked for weeks
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Ramadan Mubarak!
with his parents, his grandparents, his
aunt, uncle and two cousins. He walked
through mountains and valleys and hid
behind trees so the soldiers would not find
them. Finally, after weeks and weeks they
arrived at the refugee camps in Albania where
they could camp out.
Usama listened anxiously to Yusuf’s story. He had only heard of
wars on TV but never actually met anyone who had been through such
an experience. Yusuf talked about
Ramadan in the refugee camp where thousands of people were crowded
into tents. People had very little food, supplies and clean water. Aid
workers from all over the world came to help out in the camps and some
brought dry dates so people could break their fasts. The only other food
they had most nights was bread or a little rice and
dry cereal and porridge that were given to them by the workers
in the camp. Most of
the day children would line up carrying plastic jugs to get
clean water from army trucks. In whatever free time they had
left, they would make up games to play using sticks and bottle
caps or whatever they could find. When Eid finally came and
the days of fasting were over, there was a celebration in the
camps. Everyone put on the best clothes they had brought
with them and went to greet their neighbors.
Yusuf’s mother had been saving up rations of flour
so she could make some special bread to share with their
friends and neighbors in the camp. Some of the
workers in the camps brought special treats of
bananas and some meat to prepare a special dinner;
something that Yusuf had not seen in months!
As Usama listened carefully to Yusuf’s story, he
couldn’t help but think about how different Ramadan was
in his house. He realized that he took for granted the special cakes and
meals that his mother prepared for their evening meal when their fast
would end. Often his grandparents would come over and bring
traditional Pakistani food like samosas and pakoras and lots of rice,
meat and bread. He thought of how happy he was on the day of Eid
celebrations, where he and his brother and sister would get brand new
clothes to wear and lots of money and gifts from friends
and relatives. He knew that part of the reason they
fasted was so that everyone would know what it was like
to be hungry the way millions of people in the world are
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Ramadan Mubarak!
everyday. Then he remembered how his family gave money and food at
their local mosque to give to needy families in the community. This gave
Usama an idea. What if they could think of a way to help out the people
in the refugee camps in Albania this Ramadan?
Usama and Yusuf became excited
thinking about the
possibilities! They went inside the
school before
the bell rang to talk to Mrs. Nelson,
the school
principal, to see if there was a way
the whole
school could help out. “That’s a great
idea!” said Mrs.
Nelson. “Maybe everyone in the school
could bring in
small boxes of things that people could use in
the refugee camps,
things like warm hats and gloves, cans of food, soap and shampoo,
pencils, pens and writing paper, games and some special treats. Then
they could decorate the boxes and send them to the camps.” That
afternoon, Mrs. Nelson made an announcement on the P.A system telling
the school that they were going to be part of a very special project they
named “Project Hope,” that would help out children in refugee camps in
Albania during Ramadan. She sent home letters to all the families in the
school asking them to donate shoeboxes filled with the things that people
in the camps needed.
By the end of the week, the foyer
of the school was filled with beautifully
decorated boxes with cards and bows
that sat underneath a large green and
white banner that said “PROJECT
HOPE.” There was a special assembly in
the gym where Mrs. Nelson had invited
Yusuf’s whole family to attend. Usama’s
mother and father also came to the
assembly to share information about the
importance of fasting and charity in Ramadan. Everyone in the school
felt good that they could share in this experience. Yusuf especially felt
very satisfied. Even though he was new, he felt that he was now more a
part of the school. He also felt happy knowing that the friends he left
behind in the camp this year would be getting a very special Ramadan
surprise!
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Global Tea Party
Reflection Sheet
At the tea party I was in the group…
When I got my cookies for the tea party I felt…
The tea party reminds me of Ramadan because…
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Ramadan Mubarak!
7. Making Fanooz Lanterns
Art Activity (40 min)
Overview
Students will create traditional “fanooz” or lanterns used to welcome the month of
Ramadan in parts of the Muslim world.
Materials
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Coloured construction paper or other decorative paper
Scissors, glue, tape or staples
Crayons, markers
Rulers
Glitter dust (optional)
Handout/ Overhead – Fanooz
Handout story – “My Grandfather’s Fanooz”
The Activity
1) Read “My Grandfather’s Fanooz” story to the class as an introduction to the activity.
2) Show the overhead of “Fanooz”. Explain to the students that in many parts of the
Muslim world, traditional lanterns called “fanooz” are used to welcome the arrival of
the month of Ramadan. The lanterns are made of metal and glass. Candles are lit
inside the lanterns at nighttime as people wake up to eat before beginning their fast at
dawn. The class will be re-creating this tradition by making their own “fanooz” to
decorate the classroom.
3) Distribute supplies to each student (construction paper, scissors, rulers and art
supplies). Students can decorate the paper first using their art supplies and glitter if
desired.
4) Have students draw vertical lines approx. 2” apart with a pencil and ruler leaving a 3”
margin on all sides of the paper (see the attached template). Ask students to fold the
paper in half lengthwise and cut down the lines (being careful not to cut into the
margins).
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Template
5) Open the paper and staple or tape together the overlapping width ends of paper. The
shape should resemble a paper lantern. Additional strips of paper can be cut to form
handles at the top of the lantern.
Assessment Strategies
See Art evaluation Rubric
Modifications and Extensions
Have students share other cultural traditions that involve light (i.e Christmas
Lights, Hanukkah candles, etc.).
Invite students to talk to older relatives in their family about how they celebrated
special traditions when they were young.
Fanooz – Ramadan Lanterns Example
43
Ramadan Mubarak!
My Grandfather’s Fanooz Lantern
44
Ramadan Mubarak!
My Grandfather’s Fanooz
I was so excited that I couldn’t stand it! I had been waiting for a
month for my grandparents to come back from Egypt. They were away
visiting our relatives in Cairo. Yesterday my grandfather called to tell me he
was bringing a very special surprise home for me! He said it was a secret, but
I already knew what it was going to be. I told my grandfather before he left
to buy me a new electric fanooz lantern. They were really cool! They looked
like old-fashion lanterns but these had real light bulbs
instead of candles and if you pressed a button they also
played a song to celebrate the beginning of Ramadan. I had
wanted one ever since my friend Salim brought one back from
his trip. I couldn’t wait to see my grandfather and thank him
for the gift!
Finally I heard the doorbell ring and I quickly
scrambled over to the open the door. I saw my grandfather
standing there and smiling holding an old looking cardboard
box. My grandmother bent over to give me a big hug as she
and my grandfather came inside. I held my grandfather’s
hand as he came in the room. He bent down and hugged me
saying, “Ramadan mubarak, may the blessings of Ramadan be upon you my
son.” My grandparents sat down and told us about the wonderful time they
had in Egypt visiting family and friends. They showed us pictures of them
standing by the pyramids and drinking tea underneath date trees. My
grandfather could tell I was getting anxious as I started fidgeting in my
chair, so he came over and took me by the hand out to the back porch
carrying the strange cardboard box under his arm.
We sat down on the porch swing and my grandfather said, “I think you
are getting anxious to know about the surprise I got you.” “Oh I already
know what it is grandpa, it’s a fanooz!” I replied excitedly. “Well how did you
guess?!” my grandfather laughed as he carefully opened the cardboard box.
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Ramadan Mubarak!
My Grandfather’s Fanooz cont.
When I saw what he held in his hand I felt a look of disappointment
slowly cross my face. Instead of a brand new ultra cool electronic fanooz, he
held an old metal lantern with cracked yellow glass. “Grandpa!” I exclaimed,
“is this some kind of joke? Where is my electric
fanooz?” “Oh Kareem my son,” he said. "This is a very
special fanooz. Did you know that this used to be mine
when I was your age?” I settled back on the swing and it
rocked softly back and forth as my grandfather told me
the story of his fanooz.
“When I was a boy,” he began, “ there was no
electricity in our village so when Ramadan came we did
not have alarm clocks like you do now to wake people up
before dawn so they could eat before they started their
fast. Instead, the men in our village would take turns staying awake and then
as the time of fajr in the early morning hours approached, they would light a
special fanooz lantern and head out to wake their neighbors. I remember
when it was my father’s turn to wake the village, he would very softly tap my
shoulder and whisper for me to wake up and bring his drum. I would rub my
eyes awake and feel around in the dark until I felt the smooth surface of
the drum beside my bed. We would then head out in the darkness with my
father carrying his drum while I held the fanooz up high so we could see our
way to our neighbor’s houses. As we approached my father began to softly
pound a beat on his drum. Gradually the beat became louder and louder and
then he would sing out in the hushed night,
“Wake up, wake up, it’s time for suhoor! Wake up! Wake up and share
blessings saved for those who eat in the early hours before light. Surely this
is the month of generosity and reward!”
Sometimes my cousins would come out and join us, banging on metal
pots with a stick and we would all sing “Ahlan, ahlan, yaa Ramadan! Welcome,
welcome, oh Ramadan! It was a very special and joyous time!”
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Ramadan Mubarak!
My Grandfather’s Fanooz cont.
I looked at the expression of happiness that came over my
grandfather’s face as he told me this story. I knew then that the old and
cracked lantern he had brought me was better
than any fancy new ultra cool fanooz lantern with
real light bulbs and electronic tunes. I hugged my
grandfather and thanked him for the very special
gift. I felt proud that he wanted me to have
something so wonderful! As we got up to go back
inside, my grandfather turned to me and said
with a sly smile, “By the way Kareem, I almost
forgot, I have something else for you.” He
reached inside the big pockets of his overcoat and pulled out a box wrapped
in green and white shiny paper. I ripped open the paper and the box and
inside and to my surprise I saw the fancy new fanooz I had been asking for!
But I wasn’t as excited as I thought I would be. ”What’s wrong Kareem?” my
grandfather asked when he saw my expression. “I thought this was what you
really wanted.” “It’s very nice,” I told him, “but I like the other one better.
It’s old and the glass is cracked, but when I look at it, I will always
remember how you used to carry it at night when you were just a boy like
me.”
And so I always kept that old lantern in my room where I could see it
at night. My dad fixed the cracked glass and we polished it up nice and shiny.
We began to light a candle inside it in the early morning hours when we would
wake up to eat during Ramadan. I would gaze at the candle and imagine my
grandfather as a young boy like me, carrying the fanooz, while his father
played a drum to wake up the village before dawn. I saw the images of him
dancing in the flame of the candle and on the shadows it cast on the wall.
And so I was glad that this old lantern had once again became a part of our
family!
47
Ramadan Mubarak!
8. Decorating Mehndi Hands
Art activity
60 minutes
Overview
Mehndi or henna designs are created on women’s hands to celebrate important events
like weddings, the birth of children, Eid-Ul Fitr and Eid-Ul-Adha. The children will
see examples of henna designs and create their own handprint on paper to decorate.
Materials
•
•
Paper, crayons or pencil crayons, scissors, overhead projector
Nadia’s Hands by K.English
The Activity
1. Read the information card about henna with the children. If available bring in
mehndi paste (available at Indian grocery stores) for the children to see and smell.
2. Using the templates of mehndi hands and design examples on the overhead show the
children what mehdni patterns are like. Point out the smaller designs that make up
the pattern on the hands.
3. Invite the children to trace their hand on skin coloured paper.
4. Children then can use coloured pencils or crayons to create a design on their hand.
Traditionally henna is an orange/red coloured or black coloured dye. But children
can use any colour they wish.
5. To close read Nadia’s Hands by K.English.
6. Ask students to write a short journal entry about how they “dress up” for a special
holiday in their family’s tradition (ex. wear new clothes, put on jewellery, wear makeup).
Assessment Strategies
See Art work rubric
Modifications and Extensions
♦ Children may find mehndi templates on the internet to trace or copy.
♦ With parental permission you may invite a guest mehndi artist to the classroom to
give the students a sample mehndi pattern on their hand.
♦ Invite children to bring in pictures from home if their family does mehndi patterns for
special occasions.
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Mehdni Hands
Student Information Card
Mehndi is the Hindi word for Henna. Henna is a coloured
dye that comes from the leaves of the Henna plant. The
plant is ground into a powder that is mixed with water to
make a paste that looks like thick paint. Mehndi is applied
two ways. One way is to use a small tube like a baker uses
to put icing on a cake and squeeze a thin line of henna
onto the hand in delicate patterns. Another way is to
apply a template or strips of paper tape to the hand in a
geometric pattern and then paint on the henna. When the
person takes off the tape the pattern shows up.
The mehndi pattern is left on overnight to dry and allow
the dye to absorb into the skin. In the morning when the
mehndi is washed off a dark red pattern is left. There is
also black coloured mehndi that leaves a black pattern.
Mehndi is used by people of many cultures to decorate
themselves for special occasions like weddings, the birth
of a baby, and religious holidays. Muslims put on mehndi
the night before Eid-Ul-Fitr to celebrate the end of
Ramadan. Usually girls might draw special patterns while
boys might put on a simple round circle in the middle of
the hand.
49
Ramadan Mubarak!
Mehndi Patterns
Drawing by Rukayya Hosenally
50
Ramadan Mubarak!
Mehndi Patterns
Drawings by Rukayya Hosenally
51
Ramadan Mubarak!
Mehndi Patterns – Shapes to Trace
s
d
f
g
j
k
l
'
w
e
r
t
y
o
v
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Ramadan Mubarak!
9. Celebrating Eid-Ul-Fitr
Overview
Eid-Ul-Fitr is the Feast after the fast of Ramadan. It is one of two major holidays
celebrated by Muslim people. Students will listen to a story about Eid-Ul-Fitr and focus
on the value of patience. Students will create Eid cards or holiday cards.
Materials
•
•
•
Handout – Eid Mubarak!
Crayons, paints, sparkles, stickers to decorate cards
Paper appropriate for making into a card
The Activity
Patience Activity
1. Read handout Eid Mubarak! to the students or have them read it themselves as a
reading activity.
2. In a large group, talk about the idea of “patience” which is a central theme in the
month of Ramadan and Eid-Ul-Fitr. Ask the students to brainstorm ways that they can
show patience both at home and at school. (ex. waiting to speak in class, putting up
their hand, waiting for a turn on the playground, letting a sibling play with their toys).
3. Using magazines and newspapers invite the students to cut out pictures around the
themes of patience, sharing and generosity to create collages.
Comparing Holidays and Traditions Activity
1. Invite the students to talk about how they celebrate their religious or cultural holidays.
If class make-up is fairly culturally homogenous, provide different books about
holidays and provide time for the students to look at the pictures and read those
books.
2. In groups or individually invite the students to fill in the chart using pictures and
sentences to compare Eid-Ul-Fitr with another holiday they are familiar with (ex.
Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hannukkah, Lunar New Year, Halloween, Diwali).
3. Ask each student to share one trait that all celebrations have in common.
Making Eid / Holiday Cards
1. Invite the students to make an Eid card or a holiday card for their family.
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Ramadan Mubarak!
2. Children can decorate their cards as they wish. Themes for cards can be: crescent
moons, stars, mosques, balloons and streamers, or party items.
3. To close read Eid-Ul-Fitr by S. Stone
Assessment Strategies
See Art work rubric
See Graphic organizer rubric
Modifications and Extensions
Complete the comparison chart as a whole group discussion.
Incorporate Eid Cards into other holiday card making.
Look on the internet for Electronic Ramadan and Eid cards at bluemountain.com
and searching under “Eid Cards” using “Yahooligans.”
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Celebrating Eid
Comparing Traditions and Celebrations
Holiday:
Eid-Ul-Fitr
Who Celebrates
And Why
Clothing
Decorations
Presents
Greetings
Prayers and Rituals
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Mariam’s Eid Mubarak!
Mariam woke up to her father calling the adhan (call to prayer) from the
family room. She scrambled out of bed
and quickly washed her hands, face,
mouth and feet for her prayers and
skipped down the hallway. Usually she
would have been sleepy and slow getting
out of her warm bed to pray the dawn
prayer but today was Eid Ul-Fitr, the
celebration to end Ramadan, the month of
fasting.
“Eid Mubarak,” her father said and greeted her with a big hug. "We are so
proud of you Mariam for fasting a few days of Ramadan this year." Mama
added, “and we really noticed how you made an effort to control your
temper and be patient with your little sister. Trying to be a better person is
what Ramadan is all about."
Now that Ramadan was finished Mariam knew she should try to continue
the good deeds she had practiced all month. But today she was thinking of
only one thing – the Eid party at Aunty Sadia’s house. After saying their
prayers, Mariam’s family ate a special breakfast of her favourite food -waffles and blueberry sauce.
For the last few days of Ramadan Mariam had helped Mama and Abu clean
the house in preparation for Eid. She had brought all her dirty clothes to the
laundry room for Abu to put in the washing machine. She had tidied her own
room and taken a bath so that she would be clean and tidy for Eid too.
Now she tried on her new Eid outfit a beautiful Pakistani outfit called a
Shalwar Kamize. It was purple, her favourite colour. She put on her new
headscarf for wearing to the mosque and went to see if the rest of the family
was ready.
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Ramadan Mubarak!
When Mariam’s family arrived at the mosque
for Eid prayers the parking lot was already
full. They parked down the road and walked
to the busy Islamic centre. Inside people were
greeting each other and singing Islamic songs
about the joy of Eid day.
After Eid prayers Mama brought Aunty Sadia some Middle Eastern sweets
called Baklava to take to the party. Mariam was excited because she wanted
to play with her cousin Maysa and they might get some money from the
adults called “Eidi.”
“Eid Mubarak!” exclaimed Aunty Sadia and squeezed Mariam in a big hug.
Aunty Sadia’s house smelled of wonderful food and desserts that Uncle
Amir had baked for Eid. Mariam hugged Maysa and they ran to her room to
play with her new block set that she received for Eid.
All day long guests came and went. All day long
they ate. Mariam and Maysa were so excited that
they ate plate after plate of sweets until they both
felt quite sick.
This made Mariam feel awful. Her tummy hurt
and she became grumpy. Maysa was in a silly mood and kept knocking
down Mariam’s block fort that she had built. Finally Mariam yelled at her
cousin. “Stop it! I am not playing with you any more!” and she started to
cry.
Mariam went to Abu crying and telling him the story about her tummy and
the fight with Maysa. Abu lifted Mariam onto his knee and quietly said,
"you know Mariam, Ramadan is over but that doesn’t mean we should eat
too much and lose our patience with our friends. Ramadan helps us practice
these two ideas so we can remember them all year long."
Mariam snuggled her head into Abu’s shoulder and thought about what he
said. She decided he was right. She went up to Maysa who was also crying
in her room and said in a calm voice. “I’m sorry I yelled at you Maysa. That
didn’t help solve the problem. I was angry because you were breaking my
fort and I worked hard on it.”
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Ramadan Mubarak!
“I’m sorry too,” said Maysa. “Let’s go get another piece of cake!” “No,
that’s okay. I think I’ve had enough,” said Mariam with a smile. The two
girls went to help their fathers do the dishes in the kitchen.
That night Mariam was exhausted from the Eid party. She gladly put on her
pajamas and climbed into bed. That night in her prayers she felt proud in her
heart that she had done the right thing after all. It had been a very Happy
Eid.
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Ramadan Mubarak!
IDEAS FOR SCHOOL-WIDE ACTIVITIES…
Recognizing Ramadan and Eid
As part of developing a more inclusive school environment, many schools are
beginning to acknowledge Ramadan among other school- wide celebrations such as
Christmas and Easter. We have included some ideas for school-wide activities that
incorporate themes related to Ramadan such as patience, kindness, self-discipline, respect
and charity. These represent shared values that are meaningful for all students. The
following list of suggestions provides fun and creative activities that allow the entire
school to participate in the recognition of Ramadan.
Developing a theme: Many activities can center around themes that are
related to the experience of Ramadan such as, equity, patience, kindness,
self-discipline, respect and charity. The theme can be presented as “The
Spirit of Ramadan” and can incorporate different kinds of activities such
as:
Recognition Awards
Giving recognition (awards, certificates) to students whose behavior
exemplifies any of the shared values (eg. showing respect or kindness for
others, being patient in line, doing a good deed, etc).
Food Drive
Organizing a school-wide charity food drive or volunteering in a local food
bank.
Shoe box gifts
In cooperation with local or international development agencies, students
can donate items that are needed by other children in their local
community or in a developing country. Lists of needed items can be
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Ramadan Mubarak!
provided (eg. school supplies, soap, shampoo, warm hats and gloves,
cookies, etc) and students can purchase and pack the items in shoe boxes
that they decorate and personalize with greeting cards. (NB: One aid
agency that has sponsored this activity within schools is the
International Development and Refugee Foundation located in Toronto
(416) 497-0818).
Pen Pals
Contact local Islamic schools to set up a pen pal program so students can
exchange information and ideas.
Secret Friend
Pull names out of a hat and do kind deeds for that person anonomously
for one week.
Pot Luck Iftaar
Organize a potluck “Iftaar” dinner during the month of Ramadan for the
school community.
Guest Speakers
Invite parents and community members into the school as guest speakers
to share knowledge about Ramadan.
Display Case
Set up a display case with Islamic artifacts related to Ramadan such as
dates, prayer mats, prayer beads, books, etc)
Decorate school with Ramadan art projects
Use the art activities found in this unit and use other Islamic symbols
such as the crescent moon and the colours green and white to decorate
the school.
Ramadan and Holidays Museum
Invite each class to create a museum showing special items and artifacts
from different important holidays: ex. Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Diwali,
Chinese NewYear, Naw Ruz, Halloween, Easter, Valentine’s Day. Children
can tour each other’s “museums” and learn about the different holidays.
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Ramadan Mubarak!
“Spirit of Ramadan” Mural
Create a mural based on the “Spirit of Ramadan” theme. Have students
develop a collage with images cut out of magazines and newspapers that
reflect the themes of peace, equity, patience, kindness, self-discipline,
respect and charity. Students can choose appropriate images to
exemplify these themes. Each class can cut out images that can be
assembled on a large mural.
Morning Announcements
Famous quotes: Add famous quotes that relate to the “Spirit of Ramadan”
themes to morning announcements. Below are some famous sayings of the
prophet Muhammed that can be used. Other quotes from famous figures
such as Martin Luther King or Malcolm X can also be used to exemplify
the shared values being promoted. (NB: These quotes can also be added
to the mural project).
QUOTES FROM THE TRADITIONS OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMED:
Kindness:
“What actions are most excellent? To gladden the heart of a human being, to feed the
hungry, to help the afflicted, to lighten the sorrow of the sorrowful, and to remove the
wrongs of the injured.”
Self-control/discipline:
“One is not strong or powerful who throws people down, but one is strong when one
withholds oneself from anger.”
Peace:
“Make peace between one another for enmity and malice tear up heavenly rewards by the
roots.”
Respect:
“Do not say, that if people do good to us we will do good to them; and if people oppress us
we will oppress them; but determine that if people do you good, you will do good to them;
and if people oppress you, you will not oppress them.”
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Assessment
Group Work Evaluation Sheet
Please fill out this form together. Ask one group member to scribe the answers.
Circle Yes or No
Everyone in our group shared their ideas.
YES
NO
Everyone in our group listened to each other .
YES
NO
Everyone in our group tried to help others feel
Included.
YES
NO
List one thing your group could improve on next time we do group work:
List one thing you learned from working together as a group this time:
Signature of group members:
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Assessment
GRAPHIC ORGANIZER RUBRIC
Name: _________________________________ Date: ________________________
Level 1
Level 2
Includes accurate and
relevant information
from a variety of sources
Level 3
Level 4
Ramadan Mubarak!
Criteria
Includes some important
information from a few
sources
Topic: _________________________________
Information
Includes little or no
important information
from few sources
Information is
sequential, mostly
complete and makes
sense
Ideas or content show
signs of creativity and
are original
Organizer is neatly
presented with clarity
and few technical errors
Organizer is incomplete
Information is missing
and/ or does not make
sense
Organization
Logic
Ideas or content show
little or no originality
Organizer is presented
with some ideas clearly
written but with some or
many technical errors
Information is poorly
written , out of sequence
and/or does not make
sense
Ideas or content show
some originality
Creativity
Includes accurate and
relevant and detailed
information from a wide
variety of sources
Organizer is neatly
presented with clear
ideas, details, and minor
technical errors
Information is
sequential, complete,
detailed and makes
sense
Ideas or content show
strong sense of creativity
and originality
Additional Criteria
(to be developed by
teacher and student)
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Assessment
Art Work Rubric
Name: __________________________ Date: ___________________________
Criteria
Level 1
Level 2
Creation minimally
fulfills task
Artwork shows some
care but is lacking in
style
Level 3
Level 4
Ramadan Mubarak!
Creation fulfills task
Artwork shows some
thought and care
Creation clearly fulfills
task
Artwork shows thought,
care and creativity
Piece of Art being Assessed: _________________________________________
Has completed assigned
task
Care taken
Creation does not fulfill
task
Artwork is sloppy and
carelessly done
Other Criteria
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Black Line Masters
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Ramadan Mubarak!
Vocabulary / Spelling Words
Ramadan Vocabulary/ Spelling Words
Arabic
English
Ramadan
Eid-Ul-Fitr
Salaat (prayer)
Adhan (call to prayer)
Suhoor (pre-dawn breakfast)
Iftaar (meal to break fast)
Zakat Ul-Fitr (charity)
Sabr (patience)
Fasting
Month
Ninth
Dates
Decorate
Sunrise
Sunset
Prayers
Patience
Charity
Mosque
Minaret
Crescent
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Activity Sheet
Word Match
Match the following Arabic words to their
English meaning.
Ramadan
Meal eaten to break one’s fast
Iftaar
Mosque
Sabr
Celebration to end the month of Ramadan
Suhoor
Prayers
Masjid
Meal eaten before the sun rises
Eid
Patience
Salaat
Prayers said at night during Ramadan
Taraweeh
Muslim month of fasting
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Activity Sheet
Ramadan Word Game
Using the letters of the following Ramadan vocabulary words see
how many smaller words you can create.
Ramadan
Eid – Ul- Fitr
Crescent
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Activity Sheet
Ramadan Word Find
Look closely and see if you can find the Ramadan vocabulary
words listed at the bottom of this page.
M
S
A
W
M
Z
T
I
Q
R
A
I
L
C
S
P
S
A
L
A
T
L
E
S
B
Z
O
W
A M
A C
F N
A L
S B
T R
U D
P
E
I
D
O
R
U
1) ISLAM
2) PEACE
3) SAWM
4) SALAT (PRAYER)
5) SABR (PATIENCE)
6) IQRA (READ)
7) FAST
8) EID (CELEBRATION)
9) WUDU (ABLUTION)
10) AZAN (CALL TO PRAYER)
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Activity Sheet
Acrostic Poetry
Using the first letter of these words create an acrostic poem.
R
A
M
A
D
A
N
C
E
L
E
B
R
A
T
E
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Activity Sheet
Ramadan Chime-Ins
For Suhoor
Rikab eats roti
Omar eats toast
Sousan eats cereal
Baby eats the most
Eid-Ul-Fitr
Eid-Ul-Fitr is coming soon
We wash the floors and clean our rooms.
We put out brand new clothes to wear.
We hope we’ll see our friends at prayers.
Ramadan is…
Ramadan is being patient
Ramadan is smiling
Ramadan is giving love
Ramadan is fasting
Ramadan is giving alms
Ramadan is praying
Ramadan is helping friends
Ramadan is lasting
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Activity Sheet
Ramadan Chime-Ins
Eid Day
Red, pink, blue and green
The colours of Eid clothes I have seen
Orange, yellow, gold and silver
These are the Eid clothes I’ll see next year.
Colours swirling in the light.
Eid day is a beautiful sight.
At Eid day we have finished the fast.
And celebrate the month just past.
Mehndi
Draw a circle – mehndi hands
Draw a triangle – mehndi hands
Draw a crescent – mehndi hands
Draw a flower – mehndi hands
Mehndi hands
Fanooz
A little lantern called Fanooz
Makes the darkness light.
When the sun sinks below the hill
It makes iftaar time bright.
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Activity Sheet – Tessellations
Using coloured pencils make a pattern design using this template.
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Photos/ Illustrations
Tesbee or Dhikr Beads
Dhikr beads are prayer beads used to help a person
count when saying repetitive prayers. They are
similar to Catholic rosary beads.
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Photos/ Illustrations
Prayer Mat
Prayer mats are used by Muslims all over the world. They are decorated with
mosques, geometric patterns, or natural floral patterns.
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Photos/ Illustrations
Astrolabe
An astrolabe is an instrument developed by Muslims
during the Golden age of Islam to determine distance
and direction based on the position of stars in the
night sky.
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Photos/ Illustrations
Arabic Calligraphy
Muslims developed calligraphy or writing words as
art work. This passage is found on the walls of the
great Andalusian palace of the Al-Hambra. It says
“There is no winner but Allah.”
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Sample Communications to Parents
Dear Parents/ Guardians,
As the month of Ramadan approaches we at _____________ school
recognize that, although they are not required to, a number of students may
be participating by fasting for some or all of the days. Those students who
fast and usually stay for lunch at school will be provided with a supervised
alternative to the lunchroom. These students may bring a quiet activity with
them such as: a book to read, homework or colouring. They will be
dismissed for outdoor play at the usual lunch bell. Please send us a note
informing us whether your child will be fasting for any or all of the days of
Ramadan while at school so we can support them.
Thank you for your assistance,
Principal
Dear Parents/ Guardians,
In the grade two social studies curriculum we are studying traditions and
celebration across the world. We will be studying Ramadan, Diwali,
Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Chinese New Year at their appropriate
times during the winter months. If you have any items or information about
these holidays at home please add them to our class’s study of celebrations.
Also, if there are any activities that you do not wish your child to participate
in for cultural or religious reasons please feel free to contact us.
Thank you for your assistance,
Teacher
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Glossary of Arabic Words
Adhan –
the call to prayer.
Eid – Ul- Fitr
Celebration of the end of the month of Ramadan.
Eid- Ul-Adha
Celebration of the end of the Hajj pilgrimage.
Fajr -
The dawn prayer.
Fanooz -
A lantern used in Egypt to light the houses at sunset to signal the
time to break fast.
Iftaar -
The small meal eaten to break the fast at sunset.
Islam -
Peace
Masjid -
Mosque
Mehndi -
Henna plant dye used to decorate the hands and feet
Salaat -
The formal Muslim prayer performed 5 times a day.
Sawm -
Fasting
Suhoor -
The meal eaten before dawn to prepare for a day of fasting.
Taraweeh -
The nightly prayers performed only during the month of Ramadan
where Muslims try to recite the entire Qur’an.
Wudu -
The washing of hands, face, neck and feet to prepare for prayers.
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Ramadan Mubarak!
Ramadan Mubarak! Book Kit
Grade 2 Social Studies
Helps meet ministry expectations.
Books tie directly to lessons in
curriculum unit “Ramadan Mubarak”.
Background information and pictures for
teachers and students.
Encourages your students to learn about
other cultures and think globally.
“Mehndi or henna is used by women and children to decorate their
hands near the end of Ramadan in preparation for the celebration
of Eid-Ul-Fitr the feast after the fast.”
Ramadan Mubarak Book Kit: $350.00/ kit
(Includes Books, Video & CDRom Story)
Books/Print
One Night by C. Kessler
Ramadan by S.H. Ghazi
What Do We Know About
Islam?
Zaki’s Ramadan Fast by
A.Moslimany
Eid-Ul-Fitr by S.Stone
Samira’s Eid by N.Aktar
Decorative Eid Cards by
S.Arastu
Large Colour Ramadan Poster
Video: ($75.00 with
ppl)
CD ROM STORY
($20.00)
Adam’s World –
Ramadan Mubarak (KP)
25 min.
Ramadan Mubarak –
Happy Ramadan! (PC
format)
“Puppet Adam and his baby
sister take you through a day
in the life of a muslim child
during Ramadan with songs
and stories.”
“A rhyming story about a child’s
day during Ramadan illustrated
with real photos of Canadian
muslim children from diverse
cultural backgrounds.”
N.B. Video and CD may be purchased separately.
All books have been screened by Teacher Librarians. They are appropriate for the age and reading
level of Grade 2 students and are tied directly to the unit lessons. They will illustrate the rich
traditions and celebration of Ramadan.
To Order please contact: PATHWAYS
Payments: cheque/ money order/ p-card
5151 Sunray Dr., Mississauga ON L5R 2V3
VISA/ MASTER CARD accepted:
Phone: 905-501-0994
Fax: 905-829-1440
Card #___________________________
pathwaysmail@yahoo.ca
Exp. Date: _____/_____
Note: Some titles may be back ordered or out of print. Substitutions will be made
in that case. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of items ordered. No refunds or
exchanges.
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