Providing a Path to Ihsan: How to Teach Islamic Studies Effectively to Every Age Level – Part 1

Sound Vision Canada is thrilled to introduce a much-needed teacher training series with the expert, Abir Catovic.

Islam is a rich tradition possessing an ocean of information. The key to educating our children
about their faith is not by striving to teach them everything about Islam, which is an impossibility.
The key is for Islamic Studies to address the appropriate Islamic concepts at the proper student
developmental levels. In this teacher learning series, we will ascertain what the sources of Islam
say about properly teaching Islam. We will also delve into the student stages of development and
uncover the essential teachings and methods required to help students develop a healthy relationship
with their Creator which naturally promotes Islamic character development and the desire to strive
for Ihsan or excellence in all aspects of life.

Please note that these sessions are intended to provide instructional guidance for parents, Islamic
Studies educators, and all those involved in children’s Islamic education. Educators are invited to
partake in this learning series to enhance their understanding of various aspects of Islam which
may increase their classroom effectiveness.

We are offering a five-part series with the first session to be hosted on Sept. 19 at 7 pm EDT, insha Allah.

Can’t attend live? No problem! The video recording and presentation slides will be shared with all those who sign up.

Registration is open to all those who are interested.

A Sound Vision Canada Certificate of Completion will be issued to the attendees participating in Part 1 and at least one other module.

A Sound Vision Canada Certificate of Distinction will be issued to the attendees participating in all five modules.

Introduction to the Foundations

Session Highlights:

a. Children’s Stages of Development
b. Islam’s Teachings on How to Teach Islam Effectively
c. Quality vs. Quantity
d. Understanding the Student’s Perspective
e. It’s Not the Story, But How You Tell It!
f. Seizing Opportunities for Reinforcement

The upcoming modules in the series will be hosted once a month from October-January and will focus on how to teach Islamic Studies effectively to learners:

Grade 2 and Under – Foundations for Faith – Understanding Our World through the Pillars of Faith  (OCTOBER 17, 2024)

Grades 3-5  – Foundations for Practice – Utilizing the Pillars of Islam to realize the responsibilities of a Muslim (NOVEMBER 21, 2024)

Grades 6-8  – Foundations for Conviction – Utilizing the Qur’an, Sunnah and life context to establish Islam as the way of life  (DECEMBER 19, 2024)

Grades 9-12  – Foundations for a Righteous Life – Establishing Islam as the basis for the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of life (JANUARY 9, 2025)

The registration fee for each module is $20. Individuals requiring financial assistance may reach out to info@soundvisioncanada.org.

Abir Catovic is one of America’s Islamic Education pioneers. She began her teaching career while in college,
volunteering at her local masjid, developing an early elementary Islamic Studies curriculum and eventually
helping to establish a full-time Islamic School. She has taught every grade level from KG through
twelfth grade while serving in administration as a Religious Studies Director, Vice-Principal and Principal. Mrs.
Catovic developed Islamic and Qur’anic Studies curricula for her school’s elementary, middle and high school
levels and created a Prophetic Character Education Program. She also helped to develop a Two-Year Qur’an
Memorization Program that graduated more than fifty male and female Huffadh.

In 2017, Abir Catovic was awarded the Noor Kids Islamic Teacher Appreciation Award, being voted one of the
top three Islamic educators in North America. In 2021, she was the recipient of the New Jersey State
Governor’s Jefferson Award in Education for her “exemplary volunteer efforts and public service”. Currently
she serves as the Board Secretary of WISER (Weekend Islamic Schools Educational Resources) and is an
advisor to the Moral Ecology Trust, a multifaith, multidisciplinary project of the University of Virginia’s Advanced
Studies in Culture Foundation which aims to strengthen youth character formation.