Inside the Staffroom
TIPS FOR ENCOURAGING STUDENT
PARTICIPATION DURING RAMADAN
BY CHASSIE SELOUANE
R
amadan is the ninth month of
the Islamic calendar. Ramadan
is the very month when Allah
(SWT) revealed the Quran
to Prophet Mohammad (peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him). For
Muslims, Ramadan is the most blessed
month of the year, where self-restraint,
commitment and faith are displayed.
Muslims use this holy month as a
character-building month, where they
can find themselves again and bring
themselves closer to God.
Here in the Middle East and around
the world Muslim school children
are expected to wake up before
sunrise, eat, drink, pray and then many
possibly return to bed to catch a quick
nap before heading off to school.
They will then travel to school and be
expected to participate in activities,
while some of their non-Muslim peers
eat and drink and get on with their
normal lives. They will then go home
to do their homework and chores, but
will need to wait until the sun sets for
Iftar (the breaking of the fast). After
Iftar many will attend prayers at the
mosque, which could go late into the
evening.
Teachers
should
take
into
consideration that these late nights
and fasting can often begin to take a
toll on our students. We need to make
small concessions during the day to
help keep them engaged in learning.
Here are a few tips for encouraging
student participation during Ramadan.
1. Limit Physical Activity: Take into
consideration physical activities
planned in the classroom and the
temperature of the classroom.
Remember that students who are
fasting need to limit their physical
activity especially in the heat of the
day. Take this into consideration
and keep the temperature cool and
comfortable.
3. Give extra time to finish tasks: It is
important for teachers to remember
that often students who are fasting
may have difficulty focusing on
classwork, activities and projects
to be completed during the day.
Teachers can help students by
building in additional time for
activities, and also encouraging
them with positive and supportive
words and understanding.
4. Encourage students to share
traditions of their home countries:
The Middle East is very diverse.
Use the opportunity of Ramadan
to explore commonalities and
unique traditions of the diverse
nationalities represented in your
classroom. Give Students options
to share traditions with their
classmates and get to know each
other better. Use the opportunity to
Read about Ramadan from a wide
2. Encourage
all
Students
to
participate in a charitable act
(Sadaqa): Ramadan is the Month of
giving. Create a ‘class change jar’ to
collect pennies to give to a charity.
Have students decorate the glass
quart jar with paint and encourage
them to give to the jar daily.
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range of sources and perspectives.
5. Plan with your students for Eid al-
Fitr
Eid al-Fitr is an important religious
holiday celebrated by Muslims
worldwide that marks the end of
Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of
fasting. Since students will return to
school after Eid al-Fitr, plan your own
in class celebrations for after Ramadan.
This gives your students something
great to look forward to.
If
students
have
the
right
accommodations and support from
teachers and their peers, during
Ramadan, it can turn a challenging
month into a most rewarding and
special learning experience for the
whole learning community. Ramadan
Kareem to all!
Chassie Selouane has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre & Education, a Master’s of
Education Degree- Curriculum Instruction with a Specialization in ESL Education,
a PMC in ESL Education, a PMC in Instructional Leadership & is a dual candidate
for a PHD in ESL and PHD in Instructional Leadership. Chassie is an Edmodo
Ambassador & Certified Edmodo Trainer. She serves as the GCC ASCD UAE
Ambassador. Chassie is the founding Director of Learning at Rising School Dubai.