Let's Celebrate Ramadan!

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Students learn about Ramadan.

OBJECTIVE

Students will:

1. List prior knowledge of celebrations.
2. Listen to books.
3. Compare and contrast various celebrations.
4. Create a project for each lesson.

MATERIALS

• Too Many Holidays by Angela Sheif Medearis
• Ramadan by David F. Marx
• Ramadan by Suhaib Hamid Ghazi (Author), Omar Rayyan (Illustrator)
• Kidspiration by Inspiration Software, Inc. (Mac or PC version), or chart paper, or a blackboard for brainstorming
• Computer
• Large screen TV or projector system
• Quart size jar for Ramadan penny jar
• Tempera paint or acrylic paint

SET UP AND PREPARE

• Have Kidspiration ready to use on the computer.
• Check paints and brushes

DIRECTIONS
Step 1: As a group, list what the children already know about Ramadan. I use Kidspiration as a brainstorming tool. I use a computer connected to a large screen TV or projector system so that all students can easily see. If you do not have Kidspiration, you could use chart paper or a blackboard.

Step 2: Read Ramadan by David F. Marx.

Step 3: Using Kidspiration, list what the children learned about Ramadan.

Step 4: Create a class penny jar to collect pennies to give to a charity. Use a glass quart jar and decorate it with paints. I let each group of four children add a detail to the jar decoration.

Step 5: As a class, create a letter to parents explaining about Ramadan and the penny jar. (Each lesson will have a similar assignment. Sometimes, I have the students copy the letter as a handwriting exercise, or I duplicate what they have composed as a class and have them practice reading it before they take it home.)

LESSON EXTENSION
Read Ramadan by Suhaib Hamid Ghazi (Author), Omar Rayyan (Illustrator). After reading this beautifully illustrated book, have the children use watercolor to illustrate their favorite part of the book.

ASSESS STUDENTS
Teacher observation will assess student participation in listening to the book and contributing to the discussion.

Gayle has been a teacher for 35 years. She has helped teachers throughout the nation learn about technology, the Internet, and creative ways to use both in the classroom.

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