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Elementary
Grades Arabic Language Curriculum
The
elementary Grades Arabic Language Curriculum consists of:
- Reading:
Aloud and Silent for comprehension, understanding and
correct pronunciation.
- Poetry:
(Mahfouzat)
chosen simple Arabic poems, and prose excerpts.
- Dictation:
Mastering
writing skills.
- Composition:
Oral
and written expression in simple language to practice writing
skills.
- Handwriting:
Practice
on correct writing according to rules of handwriting as
well as exposure to the types of Arabic handwriting.
- Grammar:
Starting
in 4th grade with focus on practicing the grammatical rules.
Elementary
ESL III Program
ESL III
focuses on English for academic purposes. The course is designed
to take students to the point where they can successfully
handle grade level material, use authentic materials for school
work and research, and begin to take personal responsibility
for learning. This involves developing skills such as critical
reading, analyzing vocabulary in context, and making predictions
and inferences about content. In writing, students work on
refining writing skills, developing personal style, and turning
out coherent, wee-organized essays. The ESL III program strives
to promote fluent oral expression and to develop higher-level
aural comprehension skills. As students progress in the different
skill areas, they are expected to incorporate higher-order
thinking skills while learning to organize and communicate
ideas in different ways.
The Elementary
ESL program seeks to assist students with limited or no English
language skills to develop the maximum proficiency in written
and spoken English in a limited amount of time. The program
serves approximately 100 children in grades 2 - 6. Students
are placed in ESL based on the results of a battery of oral
and written assessments. The results are also used to determine
placement within the ESLK program. The Elementary ESL program
covers approximately 2 - 3 years after which students make
the transition to the regular Language Arts program. Students
receive ESL instruction for two periods each day during Language
Arts.
ESL
I:
Speaking
and listening skills are emphasized in ESL I. By the end of
the course, students are expected to be able to listen to
a new story, retell it, and understand and answer questions
about the story orally. Students should demonstrate correct
sequence, simple sentence structure, and detail. The reading
goal of ESL is to help students with little or no prior exposure
to English to progress from pre-literacy to a second grade
reading level. Reading is approached through whole-language
and phonics. While mastery of the complete English sound system
is not considered a goal in itself, it is emphasized insofar
as it promotes overall reading and writing skills. In writing,
ESL I students begin by learning correct letter formation
and advance to writing words and simple declarative and interrogative
sentences. In addition to correct sequencing and word order,
written language should demonstrate basic punctuation and
correct spelling of basic vocabulary.
ESL
II:
The major
thrust of ESL II is on English for academic purposes. Students
practice listening and speaking in order to achieve academically
in content areas and to fully participate in school life.
Students work on developing reading comprehension, fluency
and critical thinking skills. They read fiction and non-fiction
with the goal of becoming independent readers. Writing assignments
stress improving sentence structure and conventional mechanics
while accurately expressing ideas. By the time exit ESL II,
students should be able to write a cohesive paragraph with
a topic sentence.
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Elementary
Grades Computer Studies
The elementary
students in computer class engage in activities that aid in
the development of their computer skills. They are taught
computer vocabulary and proper keyboarding skills in both
English and Arabic. Students create, save and print graphics
and word-processing documents. They are taught skills that
will enable them to create a more refined letter, research
paper, flyer, etc. than would be possible without the use
of the computer. The students in the fifth and sixth grade
learn how to use spreadsheets to organize material and graph
information. Computer programming is also introduced at various
levels. Students are taught to use the Internet in the computer
classroom to gather information for use in research reports.
They search specific sites for information as well as search
for information using search engines. The students also use
a wide variety of educational software, which help reinforce
the skills taught in the content areas of math, reading comprehension,
spelling, and science. Each student in the computer classroom
has a personal computer available for his or her own use.
They also have access to color printers, a laser printer,
a scanner and digital camera.
Grade 2
Language
Arts
Reading
at the second grade level introduces students to good literature.
Students learn to appreciate good books, develop oral language
and strengthen listening skills. They learn to read using
sight words as well as phonetic skills. The second grade students
begin a writing process through which they learn to write,
review, and edit their written work. Reading and writing activities
incorporate all facts of education.
Science
Students
continue to explore the world around them through firsthand
experiences with real objectives and materials. Through these
activities, they gain a better understanding of the variety
of living things including humans; of the nature and composition
of soil; of the sun, moon and other light sources, and of
reflections and shadows, and of the states of matter. Students
also develop a broad range of science skills, with particular
emphasis on those skills of observing, comparing and sorting
objects that are the foundation of scientific classification.
Math
In 2nd
Grade we build on earlier learned skills. The children use
math operations to solve problems and begin to develop critical
thinking skills. We learn to tell time, use money and understand
weights and measures. We relate math skills to everyday life.
Social Studies
Students
in 2nd grade build on their knowledge of geographical concepts,
economics, culture, and history. Map and globe skills are
taught. Students identify rural and urban communities, identify
basic needs, wants, and name community workers. They also
develop an understanding of the cultures of China and Egypt.
Islamic Studies
Holy
Quran: Read and Recite short chapters (Sowar). Recite
from surat Annas to Surat Ashams.
Tawheed
(Islamic creed): Teach students about God, the creator
of the universe through living things and physical features
of the earth (mountains, rivers, trees, animals, fish etc).
Fiqh
(jurisprudence, Islamic law): Students learn purity, ablution,
prayer.
Grade 3
Language Arts
Our curriculum
is based around our new series from Scott Foresman. The students
use two books and two workbooks. The content of the program
builds off scoping and sequencing and exposing students to
critical skills, strategies and instructional techniques.
Emphasis is placed on comprehension, phonic, grammar, oral
language, writing, vocabulary, and critical thinking. Independent
reading and cross - curriculum materials are use to support
each story within the two books to make them more meaningful.
Science
Third
Grade uses STC Program. It is designed to provide all students
with stimulating experiences in the life, earth, physical
sciences, and technology. The students are taught with hands-on
experimental approach. There they can make their own discoveries
and develop their critical-thinking and problem solving techniques.
Our units that we encountered are: Sound, animal, habitats
plant growth and development, and motion and design.
Math
3rd grade
is a very exciting year in Math. The students learn multiplication
and division facts. We use many strategies to teach these
important skills. Students spend time on critical thinking
word problems and reviewing addition and subtraction skills.
There is nothing quite like the smile of a 3rd grader who
has mastered multiplication.
Social Studies
The main
focus of 3rd grade social studies is how people adapt to different
environments and changes they must make. We look at several
Indian tribes in different environments in the United States.
We also implement a map skills unit into the curriculum. The
students also learn about government and many famous Americans.
At the end of the year we "travel" to Greece and
study Ancient Greece. We attempt to cover all corners of the
world.
Islamic Studies
Qur'anic
Memorization: Students memorize from Surat al-Balad through
Surat al-Inshiqaq.
Qur'anic Recitation: Students practice reciting Surat
an-Nazi'at through Surat al-Qiyamah.
Tawhid: Students learn the five Pillars of Islam (shahada,
prayer, fasting, alms-giving and pilgrimage). Students also
learn the Pillars of Faith (Belief in Allah, His Angels, His
Books, Messengers, the Hereafter and Destiny).
Grade 4
Language Art
ISA uses
the Scott Foresman series for our language arts program in
the elementary school. It integrates several different components:
Phonics, spelling, vocabulary, reading comprehension, grammar,
listening skills, writing, and oral reading. The school year
is divided into six units, each with its own theme.
Each week a new literature selection is read. All the language
arts components are drawn into the selection. New vocabulary
and skills are introduced, as well as reviewing and reinforcing
former material. Our literature book is accompanied by leveled
readers, starting with easy, to average, and ending with challenging.
Science
The students
explore and discover scientific concepts. The program is filled
with experiments where the students are actively involved.
They develop thinking and process skills by observing, questioning,
trying out ideas, making mistakes, and by discussing, analyzing,
and communicating their thoughts and discoveries, with their
classmates. Above all this, it's fun!
4th grade
science is broken down into four units, each one occupying
one quarter of the academic year. They are as follows:
I.
CHANGES - The students expand their understanding of liquids,
solids, and gases, and how they change.
II. BONES & SKELETONS - Students learn the structures
& functions of major bone groups and how bones, muscles,
tendons, ligaments, and joints work together.
III. LAND & WATER - Students investigate interactions
between land & water. Using a stream table they see
how soil is worn away and moved by erosion. They watch as
streams break into tributaries and act as a system to drain
the land. Landforms such as canyons & deltas result
from the action of the flowing water.
IV. ELECTRIC CIRCUITS - The students explore electricity
through investigations with wires, batteries, bulbs, and
switches. They are able to identify insulators and conductors,
and can build complete circuits
Math
4th graders are taught Math everyday during a 55 minute period.
In our daily lessons, we integrate reasoning with all mathematical
topics. The lessons include problem solving, critical thinking,
and encourage students to solve problems individually. We use
critical thinking and logical reasoning to predict, explain,
justify, evaluate, and interpret problems. We include a skill,
such as multiplication and division drills. We incorporate Math
to the real world, which creates an interest and challenges
the students.
Social Studies
4th graders
are taught Social Studies two days a week, during a 55 minute
period. Our lesson includes learning a variety of lands, climates,
and natural resources for the state of Virginia. We distinguish
among the geographical features for the three regions of Virginia.
We also cover the Native Americans, the first people to live
in Virginia, who are later joined by English colonists. In
addition, the children memorize the 50 states. We take the
children to Mt. Vernon. VA, Washington's plantation to incorporate
what we learned in class to real life.
History
Objectives:
Introducing students to the religious and social life in Saudi
Arabia before Islam; The changes that took place after prophet
Mohammad, his life and accomplishments, in such away that
picture him a model to be followed.
Content:
- Religious
and social conditions in Saudi Arabia before Islam.
- The
birth of prophet Mohammad and early part of his life.
- His
mission from God, his characteristics, and finally his death.
Geography
Objectives:
Introducing students to the basic components of geography
as a subject in a simple form related to what students have
seen and experienced in life like the four directions, the
mosque, school, as well as introduction to geography and life
in Saudi Arabia.
Content:
- Basic
directions
- The
mosque and school in rural and urban areas
- land
and water, and the geographical terminology related to them
- Geography
of Saudi Arabia
- Occupations
and professions in Saudi Arabia
Islamic Studies
Qur'anic
Memorization: Surat al-Mutaffifeen through an-Nazia'at.
Qur'anic Recitation: Surat al Muddathir-Surat al Haaqa.
Tawhid: Students become more informed about their Creator,
about His attributes and are taught to put their dependence
on God and His Holy Book.
Fiqh: Students learn all regulations surrounding the
prayer.
Grade 5
Language Art
Reading:
We have Scott Foresman Reading series - which contains a good
selection of award winning stories and poems. In each lesson
we target skills, review skills, and finally test skills.
This enables us to determine how much the students have understood
from the lesson. We teach important comprehension skills,
such as, sequence, drawing conclusions, making predictions,
recognizing cause and effect, comparing and contrasting, and
distinguishing fact and opinion. We help the students to build
vocabulary, how to use word order, and to use context to understand
word meaning.
English
Language: We try to develop the essential language skills
in each student, which are:
- Listening
- oral presentation
- Speaking
- use variety of words to express feelings and ideas, and
to organize oral presentations
- Reading
- use context to understand the meaning of words, evaluate,
make judgments, and to follow a set of directions.
- Writing
- use ideas and information from sources other than personal
experiences for writing - using chronological and spatial
order.
- Language
- use fundamentals of grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
- Handwriting
- skills on cursive writing, to be neat at all times.
Science
In Science,
the lessons are planned as Hands-On Learning. Trying to get
the students to think and come up with solutions to their
problems. Then get the student to think and come up with solutions
to their problems. Then helping them develop cognitive skills
and practical skills at the same time. We have successfully
complies lessons on Light and Sound, the Human Body, and Plants.
Each student will have an opportunity to grow, see, and learn
about plants.
Math
We start
out lessons from the basic concept of math and then go on
to the next level in developing that math skill. We encourage
the students to have a positive attitude at all times. We
Problem-Solving, Analyze, Critical Thinking, and Evaluate
the students. We also alert the students of any common errors.
Social Studies
We help
the students understand the American History by using different
projects and quizzes. We start out exploring the old times
and the modern times. We compare and contrast the different
time periods and give the students a clear understanding of
American History. We evaluate the students on their comprehension
skills.
History
Objectives:
Introducing students to lives and achievements of source of
prominent Muslim figures. The 4 Caliphs of the prophet Mohammad,
source of the prominent Umyyad and Abbasid and Ayobid Caliphs
of conquests knowledge and culture.
Content:
- The
Orthodox Caliphs, Abu Baker, Omar, Uthman and Ali
- The
Umyyad Dynasty, Moawya, Alwaleed Ibn AbdulMalik, Tariq Bin
Zyad, Omar Ibn Abdul Aziz
- The
Abbasids, Abu Gaafar Al Mansour, Haroun Al Rashid
- The
Ayyobis, SalahDin, conquests and achievements, and victories
over the Christians.
Geography
Objectives: Introducing students to the basics of Saudi
Arabian geography as well as other countries of the Arabian
Peninsula, with special focus on the physical characteristics
of Saudi Arabia, new developments and economic advancement,
and its impact on other part of the world.
Content:
- Saudi
Arabia location, area, boundaries, climate, regions, transportation,
water resources, religions forestage
- Other
countries of the Arabian Peninsular, Kuwait, Kingdom of
Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen.
Islamic Studies
Qur'anic
Memorization: Surat an-Naba' through Surat al-Qiyamah
Qur'anic Recitation: Surat al Qalam through Surat as-Saff
Tajweed: Students learn basic rules for reading the
Qur'an correctly.
Tawhid: Students learn
- Becoming
a Muslim (proclaiming the shahada)
- Prayer
- Life
of the Prophet (saaws)
Hadith:
Students learn moral and social values such as:
- Avoiding
arrogance
- The
prohibition against lying and backbiting
- Being
gentle to animals
- Caring
for agriculture and the environment
- Dress
- Behavior
when eating and drinking
- Being
careful around fire
Fiqh:
- Congregational
Prayer
- Behavior
in the masjid.
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Grade 6
Language
Art
The goal
is to learn to express ourselves well in the English language,
both in oral and written presentations. We do a variety of
experiences in the classroom to accomplish this. We study
grammar and the meanings and backgrounds of words. We write
stories from a rough idea to a first draft to a final polished
story. We read a variety of fiction and non-fiction. We do
two research projects, presenting one as a talk show and one
as a paper with outline and bibliography. We conduct debates,
write poetry, put on plays, and use language in all the varied
ways it is used in our world.
History
Objective: Introducing students to the history of Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia, culture, advancements in all aspects of life,
the role of Islam in the life of its people, the strong and
ever lasting ties between Government and people through out
the long history of the Kingdom.
Content:
- Saudi
Arabia before the Saudi role
- Sheikh
Mohammad Bin Abdul Wahab and his reforms
- The
First Saudi State, The Second Saudi State
- King
Abdul Aziz and Establishing the modern Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia
- Major
reforms and advancement during King Abdul Aziz
- The
Kingdom after death of King Abdul Aziz to the present
- The
Kingdom and its role in modern and current events, such
as Palestinian issues
Geography
Objectives:
Introducing students with the prestigious position of
Saudi Arabia its relation with its neighbors on the peninsular,
with special focus on the strong ties and relations among
the Saudi people and their role in the Islamic world.
Content:
- Geography
of the Arab world
- Occupation
and professions of the people
- Political
region
- Arab
countries in Asia: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria,
Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Al Aqsa Mosque
- Arab
countries in Africa: Egypt, Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti, Libya,
Tunis, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania.
Math
The sixth
grade math curriculum further develops mathematical thinking
introduced in the lower grades, making the connection between
the inverse operations of addition and subtraction; and multiplication
and division of whole numbers, decimals and fractions. Students
also develop mathematical concepts in geometry, graphing,
ratios, percents, and measurement. Higher level understanding
of pre-algebra equation solving for unknown variables is also
introduced.
Science
The sixth
grade science curriculum integrates an investigative discovery
approach to learning with appropriate selected readings related
to the lab work. Students are provided with learning materials
and laboratory assignments related to several large units
including the study of Eco-systems and Pollution, Floating
and Sinking, Time, and Papermaking. Materials are approved
by the National Science Research Center and are age-group
appropriate.
Modern
American Social Studies
The Social
Studies curriculum for sixth grade is focused on the second
half of American History, from the 1800's through the 1900's.
The development of American ideals and politics influenced
by the war for independence, westward expansion, civil war,
industrial revolution, world economics, world war and immigration
are reviewed with a strong emphasis on the evolution of human
civil rights. Text book material, independent research and
supplemental readings are used.
Islamic
Studies
Qur'anic Recitation: Surat al Mumtahana- Surat ar-Rahman
Tawhid: Students learn the different sub-sets of this
science and they learn the harms of worshipping anything other
than the Creator.
Hadith: Students learn Islamic manners such as
- Perfecting
Character
- Modesty
- Forgiveness
and Magnanimity
- Protecting
the Muslim Community from internal conflicts
Fiqh:
Tajweed:
Students learn more rules for reciting the Qur'an, such as
rules for the nun saakinah and for elongation.
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