Tapestry of Faith: Moral Tales: A Program on Making Choices for Grades 2-3

Find Out More About Session 6

Part of Moral Tales

Ayat Jamilah: Beautiful Signs A Treasury of Islamic Wisdom for Children and Parents

By Sarah Conover, Valerie Wahl

From Skinner House Books

"Many of the tales from Ayat Jamilah will make excellent read-alouds, and the adapters have done a magnificent job of collecting stories from throughout the Islamic world, from China to Africa to the Middle East." — John Green, The American Library Association.

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Islamic Folk Tales

Find more Islamic folk tales in these books, which provided source material for the version of "Mullah Nasruddin Feeds His Coat" in this curriculum:

  • Ayat Jamilah: Beautiful Signs, A Treasury of Islamic Wisdom for Children and Parents, (Boston: Skinner House, 2010)
  • Once the Hodja, by Alice Greer Kelsey (New York: David McKay Co., Inc., 1967)
  • Once Upon a Time: Storytelling to Teach Character and Prevent Bullying by Elisa Davy Pearmain (Greensboro: Character Development Group, 2006)
  • Watermelons, Walnuts and the Wisdom of Allah and the Other Tales of the Hoca by Barbara Walker (New York: Parents Magazine Press, 1967).

Middle Eastern Feast

If you wish to buy or prepare some traditional Middle Eastern treats for the Welcome Feast, find suggestions and recipes online. You may also check the Yellow Pages or internet for Middle Eastern, Turkish, or Syrian food stores in your area. Humus, pita bread, dates and olives can be found in most supermarkets.

Fidget Objects

The idea of having a basket of "fidget objects" available during session activities comes from Sally Patton, author, workshop leader and advocate for children with special needs. It is a simple, inexpensive way to include and welcome children who find it difficult to sit still or who learn better while moving.

Provide a basket for fidget objects. Fill it with pipe cleaners, koosh balls, and other soft, quiet, manipulable objects.

When you introduce the fidget object basket to the group, begin by saying that some people learn best when their hands are busy. Give an example such as someone who knits while listening to a radio program or doodles during a meeting or class. Point out the fidget object basket. Tell the children they may quietly help themselves to items they may wish to use to keep their hands busy if this helps them to listen. However, also tell the children that the fidget object basket will be put away if the items become a distraction from the story or any other group activity.

You can make the basket available for the duration of the session, or bring the basket out only during activities, such as hearing a story told, that require children to sit still and listen for a significant period of time.