In the preschool years, children will be exposed to the melodious and beautiful words of the Qur'an orally. Through daily exposure of 10-20 minutes of recitation, students will memorize the last ten surahs of the Holy Qur'an. Their modeling will be from teachers with qualifications in tajweed so that the students are exposed only to the proper pronunciation and recitation. Tactile activities are provided when memorizing Qur'an in order to increase their ability to connect with and memorize the ayahs while ensuring that the young students maintain only positive associations with the Qur'an. As a note- we began this last year in our afternoon sprouts programs. Those young children, in only 20 minutes, twice per week, were able to memorize over 10 surahs in the year, with beautiful pronunciation, masha’Allah.
Grades KG-2: Markhala 1
Starting in kindergarten, students will begin learning to read the Qur'an in Arabic using Qaida Nooraniyah. Through daily lessons over three years, the proper pronunciation and tajweed are mastered. By the end of 2nd grade, students are reading the Qur'an with fluency, proper pronunciation, and tajweed, insha'Allah.
Memorization in the KG-2nd grade years is focused on the 30th Juz of the Qur'an, Juz Amma. The goal is for all children finishing 2nd grade is to complete the memorization of Juz Amma, insha'Allah.
Grades 3 and 4: Markhala 2
During these years, the emphasis of the students’ studies will be on Qur'an and Arabic. Rather than spending the morning hours of co-op in academic subjects such as math and language arts, the QLP students will be immersed in Arabic and Qu'ran for 3 hours each day, 4 days/week.
In 3rd and 4th grade, students will increase the amount of time they spend on Qu'ran and Arabic as the participate in ILM Tree’s unique Qu'ranic Literacy Program. The Qu'ranic Literacy Program, designed with the needs of young children in mind, produces students who are proficient in all areas of study related to Qur'an-reading, writing, vocabulary, and memorization with a special focus on growing love and attachment to the Qu'ran in the hearts of the students. We aim to establish lifelong habits of Qur'an reading and reflection, insha'Allah.
The Qur'anic Literacy Program is the “heart” of ILM Tree’s overall Qur'an plan. In these two years, students will gain valuable skills and tools which will allow them to effectively access and study the Qur'an for the rest of their lives. The minimum memorization goal in the 3rd and 4th grade is Surah Baqarah and Surah Imran, but students are supported to memorize Qur'an at the level and speed which is comfortable for them.
Grades 5-8: Markhala 3
After completing the Qur'anic Literacy Program, students will be ready to go on to further Qur'an study and will choose a “mastery path”, building on what they have learned. Some students will be supported in their choice to hifz (memorize) the Qur'an. Others will choose to earn their ijaza (diploma) in tajweed. Still others may opt to master the art of Qur'anic calligraphy. ILM Tree’s goal is to support the students where their passion lies and to continue building on their knowledge and love of Qur'an, insha'Allah.
In 2011-2012, ILM Tree is supporting the start of the first and only hifz program available in Contra Costa County. Six boys, ages 11-17, will be devoting 3.5 hours/day in class to Qur'an memorization. Additionally, they will be studying classiscal Islamic texts in Arabic as part of their religious studies. They will be overseen by Ustadh Rami Nsour and tested by the esteemed Hafiz, Shayk Salek Bin Bayyina
