I mentioned in my 2012-2013 curriculum post that we have used Ad-Duha‘s full curriculum package for a few years now and alhamdulilah, we’ve been very pleased. Given there are very few reviews, I thought I’d add my take on Ad-Duha to contribute to those looking further into it, in sha Allah.
This post will focus on a piece of the leveled curriculum, specifically the Teacher Manual and Mini Tafseer books of Level A and B. In sha Allah I’ll write another post about the rest of the Level A and B curriculum, and later their Mini Mumin series.
Ad-Duha Islamic curriculum Levels A and B come with a few components:
- Teacher manual
- Mini tafseer books
- Book of adiyaa’ (supplications)
- Islamic studies book (Level A and B focused on names of Allah)
- Arabic workbook
Teacher Manual
MashaAllah, the teacher manual really got us started on the right foot. There is a very valuable introduction that would be worth reading over again mid-year as it provides motivation and direction for the parent/teacher and lays out how a typical week’s schedule can work and also includes a sample schedule. There are suggestions for supplementary activities and explanation about key points in each lesson. While the teacher manual seems pretty pricey, it is definitely valuable.
The teacher manual is setup basically like a “Week 1, Day 1” guide, which makes it easy to pick up and go. Each day starts with a checklist to review previous topics covered as a warm up. Next, there are the day’s assignment for new information, supplementary information and a supplementary activity. The activity can range from a trip together (visiting the masjid, visiting the sick) to a craft or explanatory activity. I’ve found the supplementary information very valuable, and the main point of the day’s lesson is given more weight with daleel (textual proof), along with background information, as necessary and available.
The teacher manual made it very easy to be able to pick up the books for the given day, even without any prep work done on my part, and complete the lesson. The supplementary activities would take more preparation usually, but each lesson for the day is given with such detail that it removes the planning time for the parent almost completely.
Mini Tafseer Books
In my opinion, these are the gem of Levels ALP, A, and B with Ad-Duha. They are small and therefore not very intimidating for the child, and are meant to be read together word for word (no more Mom using ibn Kathir and rewording it on the fly).
To start, each Mini Tafseer book reminds of etiquette when working with the Qur’an, such as starting with seeking refuge with Allah, and saying Bismillah (in the name of Allah). Each book also gives a short explanation of the story behind the revelation of the surah, which is wonderful for fully understanding context, and showing how the Qur’an was sent to give guidance to every day life! Knowing the back story also helps us see the fine differences in meaning when we go over apparently similar ayat (verses).
I was saddened that we finished the Mini Tafseer books before they finished revising the rest of the set (at the time of this writing, there are still nine books under revision and not available to purchase), so we had to find another resource. We tried the Iqra! Juz Amma (Vol. 1 and 2) books, but they just didn’t compare. I know people speak highly of these books, but I found the tafseer (commentary) to seem redundant and almost just a regurgitation of the translation rather than diving into deeper meanings. The Iqra! books list every word within the surah and the translation where the Mini Tafseer books give a selected list of vocabulary. Some may prefer the entire list by Iqra!, but I preferred the selected vocabulary words in the Mini Tafseer series so you can focus on just a few words and slowly build your Qur’anic vocabulary, in sha Allah.
In sha Allah the rest of the review covering the Arabic, adiyaa’, and Islamic studies books will be posted on Friday. If one doesn’t have the money to get the entire program right away, the Mini Tafseer books would be the one thing I’d suggest getting, no matter what. You can purchase them from Amazon and get free shipping if you have Prime, or spend $25, so that’s a bonus as well!
I was not compensated for writing a review on Ad-Duha’s products. I simply enjoy the curriculum so much, I wanted to share it!
Nothing opens for me. How can you see the lessons?
Jamila
Which link are you trying to open?