Learning Lab Lahore

n Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on middle school education at the University of Illinois. I taught English Language & Composition and Social Studies for 2 years to middle school students in Islamic schools in New Jersey and New York before moving to Pakistan where I completed a 4-year course in classicial Islamic learning in 2003. For many years I have been involved in Zaynab Academy which is an Islamic educational institute for women. Being blessed with 4 children who are growing up in Lahore, I have felt a great need for children’s enrichment and educational programs—both spiritual and emotional—which schools often fail to provide, unfortunately. With this in mind, and after our summer success of Quran Explorer and Ramadan Rainbow, we decided to launch Learning Lab. Our programs are designed to meet the creative, emotional, and spiritual needs of our kids. As a previous English teacher and bookworm myself, one of our new programs I designed is a book club called Bookworms. Our other new program is Saturday School which is basically a weekend Islamic school that aims to make learning Islam and Quran fun as well as connected to the practical life of kids. Details of these programs are provided below. Our teachers are qualified and experienced Zaynab Academy graduates and students who are committed and motivated in making learning creative and fun. Bookworms
Bookworms is an exciting book club designed for kids who already enjoy reading and need to be challenged to increase their depth in understanding and emotional development. Currently, two sections are being offered: Junior section for boys and girls ages 6-8 and Middle section for only girls ages 9-12. Each term consists of 6 sessions in which a single chapter book will be covered. Children will be required to read a portion of the book each week before the Friday session. Class time will include vocabulary building, basis story analysis, and creative writing through discussion, learning stations, and interactive activities. History, geography, and character-building activities are also integrated into the curriculum. Fall Term
For the junior section this term, our book is “Pippi Longstocking.” This classic children’s book is about a funny Swedish girl named Pippi who has crazy red ponytails, no parents to tell her what to do, a horse that lives on her porch, and a flair for the outrageous that seems to lead to one adventure after another! Our activities include learning about the different countries Pippi visited, interactive sessions on the values of friendship and bravery, along with the English language activities mentioned above. For the middle section this term, our book is “The Secret Garden.” Written by Frances Hodgson Burnett, this classic book tells the story of Mary Lennox and her search for friendship and happiness. After the death of her parents in British India, young Mary is sent to England to live with her widowed uncle Archibald Craven at Misselthwaite Mannor. Mary meets many interesting people during her stay at the Manor and uncovers many secrets, including a Secret Garden. Our activities include understanding the background of British India, discussing the struggles of growing up, and discovering the secret potentials that lay within all of us. Saturday School
Busy Bees is for boys and girls age 4-7, divided into 2 sections according to age. Our theme this term is Iman in which we cover the Oneness of Allah, angels, major prophets, and the Day we will all meet Allah (Day of Judgment). Activities include discussions, stories, and hands-on activities using portfolios to showcase the students’ work. Each session includes 20-30 minutes of Quranic recitation and memorization of a surah from the 30th juz and duas. Quran Explorer is for girls only, ages 8-12. Discussions and activities focus on the topics of gratitude, patience, rights of parents, and the science behind some of the signs of Allah mentioned in this surah. Each session includes 20-30 minutes of Quranic recitation and memorization of the first 10 verses of Surah Kahaf.