ICO Islamic Studies Workbook: Grade 1, Part 2

This book introduces students at elementary school level to Islam through theshahaadah (testimony of faith). They learn the appropriate etiquette with the Qur’an and engage in memorization and recitation ofsurahs from Surah At-Teen to Surah Al-Humazah. This book also introduces them to the life of Prophet Muhammadﷺ . Further, it teaches children the basics of cleanliness and ablution (wudu ) along with the proper performance of prayer. This elementary course ends with lessons on personal hygiene, respect for parents, and respect for the property of others. The authors have presented the material using a spiral approach where students revisit each area and study it in greater depth each year. The student’s textbook includes the subject text of the lessons, exercises, and activities.

The ICO project is unique because:

• Their curricula meet the needs of the target learners for integrated, coherent and appropriate curricula
• They prepare their curricula according to scientific bases, bringing together the most recent educational and psychological theories
• Special educationists, who are experienced in designing curricula and familiar with the needs of target groups, prepare these curricula.
• They applied the latest techniques and education aids
• Specialized committees check the quality of these curricula, and then teachers evaluate them before release

Features and Characteristics of Textbooks:

International Curricula Organization (ICO) prepared these books. They have certain features that make them unique from any other textbooks:
First: The Technical Features:

• ICO has designed these textbooks in accordance with the international quality in all aspects, such as colors, size, paper, printing, and illustration
• Each book contains appropriate illustrations and pictures that match the educational stage and environment of the students
• The texts have been distributed and organized in a way that makes the text attractive, paying special attention to the font type and size, and spacing. Colors have been used carefully to appeal to the target group.

Second: The Instruction and Linguistic Features:

• Reinforce the proper linguistic basis of the non-Arabic speaking students
• Build the linguistic dictionary of the students, according to their environmental needs
• Provide non-Arabic speaking students with a good deal of Islamic vocabulary
• Identify the correct articulation of the different sounds through the study of the Qur’an
• Enable the students not to make mistakes while reciting the Qur’an through employing rules of the Arabic language
• Take into consideration the individual mental differences and linguistic skills of the students
• Consider different cultural background of the students
• Develop creativity and mental faculties of the students

Third: The Educational Content Features:

• Reinforcement of the etiquette of disagreement and the principles of forgiveness with others
• Development of student’s morality, spirituality, and values
• Helping students have good and balanced personalities
• Development of student’s pride in their Muslim identity
• Helping the caller to Islam to develop a balanced personality which reflects the moderation of Islam