Welcome to Grade 6A!

September 2013 Issue 1

Assalamu-alaikum! I would like to welcome your child to my class and hope that he / she will have a successful, prosperous, and enjoyable year, Insha Allah. My Biography

Special points of interest: My Biography

Our Year Ahead

Materials for the Home Student Arrival Tribes Class Subjects Classroom Pictures

Inside this issue: Our Year Ahead... 1

My name is Br. Shehzad Uddin and I am the Grade 6A teacher. This is my third year teaching Grade 6. I am also currently a 4th year PhD student at OISE/UT, completing my degree in Education. My journey at IFS started in 2006 when I had recently graduated from York University with a Double Hon-ours B.A. in English and Psychology, and a B.Ed. In my first year, my Grade 3 class attained high EQAO results which significantly contributed in IFS becoming the number one school in Ontario. The following year, I taught Grade 4, as well as Gr. 10 and Gr. 11 English, and Alhamdulillah, my Grade 10 students achieved 100% on their Literacy Test and our High School also became the number one in Ontario. After that, I took a study break to pursue my M.Ed and Our Year Ahead...

mean-while, I remained part of IFS as a supply teacher and a volunteer. I returned last year as a Grade 6 teacher and Alhamdulillah, my students achieved 100% results for EQAO in Reading, Writing, and Math. My strong ties with IFS are reflected in my volunteering at the school since 1994. Since that time, I have observed many positive changes, strong growth, and bountiful successes this prestigious institution has undergone. These successes are testament to Allahs Blessings, talented students, supportive parents, dedicated staff, and strong leadership. Alhamdulillah, I have served on many committees, such as Admissions, Awards, Book Fair, Computer and IT, Discipline, e-Teacher Report Cards, Houses, IFS and Scarborough Regional Spelling Bee,

Literacy, Mathematica, MIST, Play Day, Speeches, and Track and Field. I have also enjoyed delivering presentations and conducting workshops for IFS and IFT teachers on Literacy, Classroom Management, computer software, Assessment and Evaluation, School Culture, Bullying Prevention, Teaching Students with ADHD, Maintaining a Positive Attitude, and Tribes. In addition, I have conducted scholarly presentations at OISE/UT and York University on single-gendered schooling, the Tribes Process, as well as Cyber-Bullying prevention.

Language and Math 2 Tribes Other Subjects 2 3

Classroom Pictures 4 Contact Information 5

Insha Allah this will be a challenging and exciting year for the Grade 6 students. The academic demands are great for this year and all students must be focussed and prepared to put in their best effort in all areas of work. As you are aware, the Ontario curriculum will be followed and your child will be partici-

pating in the EQAO provincial assessment in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics in June 2014. The school will be sending you more information about the testing at a later date. Students are encouraged to use the various resources in the public library and the internet for additional resources and

information to help in gaining a better understanding of the themes and subjects for this grade and also to share with the rest of the class.

Welcome to Grade 6A!

genda / Student Planner

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A school agenda (student planner) has been provided to each student. It is important for the students to track all homework, assignments, tests, and projects in the planner and take home all the necessary books and notebooks for homework completion. Students are to complete the work to the best of their ability and bring all work- whether finished or unfinished- to school each day. Please check to see what homework your child has each day and assist them by reminding them to bring their work to school each day. If it cannot be completed for any reason, please send a note stating the reason(s) for incomplete homework. The agenda is also a tool for communication between the parents and the teacher, as there is space provided for writing important notes and messages. Materials for the Class and Home The following materials are needed for the class to facilitate the learning process: a 1-inch binder with dividers for handouts, small whiteboard with dry erase markers (especially for Arabic penmanship), and a calculator. The following materials are essential for the home to aid in the learning: a Quran (Arabic with English translation), dictionary, thesaurus, and a calculator. I urge all parents to equip their child with these items at the earliest possible time. Student Arrival The morning bell is at 8:20 am. Students are to line up outside and make their way to their classroom. If a student is habitually late, a note will be written in the agenda. Students are to listen to the morning announcements quietly at their desks. In the morning we will participate Tribes Students are to demonstrate Islamic etiquettes in all matters, to be punctual, responsible and committed in their attitude and efforts. As our school is a TRIBES School, staff and students will be following and implementing the four TRIBES agreements (Attentive Listening, Mutual Respect, Appreciation / No Put Downs, and Right to Pass). in Literacy/Numeracy initiatives or DEAR (Drop Everything and Read). Students are expected to come to school equipped with all their books, completed homework, proper uniform, morning recess snack, and a nutritious lunch.

Students should be inside the class by 8:20 am and at their desks by 8:25 am.

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Mathematics For Math, the Math Makes Sense Textbook, Practice and Homework book, and supplemental Math handouts will be used. It is imperative that students Language complete all Math Homework on a consistent basis to remain caught up with the Math program.

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For English Language, two readers from the Nelson program, Choosing Peace and Going the Distance, as well as, Nelson Spelling 6 will be used. Grammar and phonics sheets, etc. will be used in order to further develop language skills and expand students vocabulary. Students will work on giving evidence when responding to
Science and Social Studies In Science, students will primarily be making notes from the SmartBoard. Four textbooks corresponding to each unit will also be used. Handouts and worksheets will be given as well.

text, and clearly articulating their ideas when completing a piece of writing. They will be reviewing and editing their work, using SPECO (Spelling, Punctuation, Endings, Capitals, Omitted Words).

In Social Studies, handouts from various sources will be used.

Islamic Studies, Quranic Studies, French, and Phys -Ed For Islamic Studies, I will be using the IQRA Program. Students will learn about the Seerah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as well as of Al-Khulafa Rashidun. The Teachings of the Quran textbook and workbook will be used. The strands of Fiqh, Akhlaaq, and Social Studies will be covered. In addition, students will learn the meaning of some surahs. The Quranic Studies teacher for our class is Sh. Asad, the Arabic teacher is Sh. Hassan, and the French teacher is Br. Nizam who is also the Head of Middle School. For Phys-Ed class, students will change into their gym clothes at school. The gym uniform is baggy track pants, loose T-shirt (long sleeved for girls), and running shoes. These items are essential for participation. I will be teaching Boys PhysEd and Health to all the Grade 6 boys, while Sr. Nafeesa (the Grade 6B teacher) will be teaching Phys-Ed and Health to girls from both sections.

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Pictures of the Classroom

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Welcome to Grade 6A!

View from the Teachers Desk to the back of the class.

Left side of the classroom with motivational posters.

Teachers desk and SmartBoard.

Left side of the classroom with Biodiversity and Islamic Studies posters, as well as some student supplies.

Student supplies ready for the first day of school.

Br. Shehzad

I have launched a new website for Grade 6A, which will have announcements, important events, photos, homework, and award winners from our class. Please visit and bookmark: https://sites.google.com/site/brshezz6a2013/ If you wish to contact me, please leave a message at the school office, write a note in the agenda, or send a note with your child. (Please avoid coming to class when lessons are in progress.) For any class related issues, you can email me at br.shezz@hotmail.com or Sr. Nafeesa at nafeesa_shakur@yahoo.ca

Islamic Foundation Middle and High School 431 Nugget Avenue Scarborough, ON Phone: 416-754-7752 E-mail: br.shezz@hotmail.com School Website: www.myifs.ca Class Website: https://sites.google.com/ site/brshezz6a2013/

Br. Shehzad

Parents are partners with the school in their childs academic learning and cultivation of proper Islamic values. Together we will be inculcating Islamic manners, etiquette, and respect in them, to make them good leaders and rolemodels of our community. Insha Allah I hope this year will be full of enthusiasm to learn and excel academically and behaviourally as Islamic individuals in the Ummah, as well as contributing members of Canadian society.

Jazakum Allahu Khairan, Br. Shehzad Uddin

Grade 6A Teacher
Islamic Foundation School