Teacher,

TA & Staff
Training
2014-2015

20:114

Exalted is Allah, the True King!
90
Hasten not with
reciting the Qur'an before its revelation to you
is finished, and pray: "Lord! Increase me in
knowledge."

Surah Taha, Ayah 114
Why are we here today?
What is our goal at ICN AFA?
To help our students LOVE, LIVE & LEARN Islam

What does this mean?
We, the ICN AFA Staff, should strive to inspire and engage our
studentsThrough our lessons and as models ourselves iA.

How can we inspire and engage our students?
By effectively managing our classrooms, by upholding
ourselves to the same rules and expectations as the students
AND by creating a pleasant and fun atmosphere within our
classrooms. (We will discuss all of this, iA, today!)
Who are we?
Last year, ICN AFA has created a Co-Chair position in
order to help its school-specifically the staff and
teachers-gain a better understanding of how we can
inspire and engage our students.

Sister Farheen Beg, Academic Operation Co-Chair
farheenbegicn@gmail.com
MA in Education-National Louis University
BA in Computer Information Systems/Business Administration-DePaul
University

Sister Alzena Saleem, Academic Operation Co-Chair
alzenas@hotmail.com
MA in Education-University of Michigan
BA in Neuroscience & South Asia Studies-University of Pennsylvania
What we hope to achieve this year iA.
Updating Staff BinderThe Ultimate Resource
for Staff, Teachers and TAs for Rules,
Expectations, Lesson Planning, School Tools &
the CMS, Course Management System

Aiding Teachers in Building Improved Lesson
Plans for the 2013-2014 School Year

Organizing the 1
st
Day of School to help it
become more manageable, inviting and
ultimately more productive iA.
What we hope to achieve this year iA
Conducting 1 scheduled teacher in-class
observations.

Providing Continual Professional Development
through monthly 10-15 minute in-school
meetings AND through 2 Simple Teacher
Reading Assignments

Receiving Feedback from Staff, Teachers and
TAs as to how the above items were received
this year, 2013-2014 iA.

TAB 1- Rules
Be Respectful-To oneself, to others and all property

Be Responsible-For your words and actions

Be Safe-Keep our school environment safe

Be a Good Muslim-Follow the Quran and Sunnah
How do we enforce these rules?
*Positive Reinforcement*

Example: Maaria does not like to raise her hand during
class and she tends to shout out answerswhich
ultimately does not allow equal participation between
students.
Negative Reinforcement: So, her teacher decides that
each time Maaria shouts out, Maaria will need to sit
out of the activity. (Maaria will miss the lesson.)
OR
Positive Reinforcement: So, her teacher decides that each
time Maaria raises her hand, Maaria will receive verbal
praise. (Be careful not to reinforce with items that other
students are not able to receive.)


How do we enforce these rules? (Cont)
*Universal Quieting Down Method*
For Staff, Teachers and TAs

Example: Put your hand in the air. Count down
beginning with 5. 5-4-3-2-1

How do we enforce these rules? (Cont)
*Voice Levels*
(For Staff, Teachers and TAs)

The students need to know during every minute of the
school day whether its an allowable time to talk, who
theyre free to talk with and what volume level is
appropriate. (CHAMPS Program, District 204)

Voice Level 0-No Talking (Salat)
Voice Level 1-Whisper (Hallway)
Voice Level 2-Normal Voice (Cafeteria, Gym)
Voice Level 3-Outside Voice (Recess, Presentation)
What do we do if the rules are continuously
broken by a student?
First determine whether the behavior can be managed within
the classroom or whether the behavior warrants
Administration management. (See table within Tab 1 in
Binder)

Regardless of whether the student was sent to the office or
not, disciplinary action MUST be documented and given to
the office within a week of the disruption. A form must be
filled out either by hand (see binder) or via the CMS system
iA.

If the behavior is manageable within the classroom AND
positive reinforcement does not work, teachers may opt to
speak with the students parents in a private conference.
Tab 2-Expectations


What should we expect from our students, our
staff, our teachers and our TAs?

Everyone should follow the school rules!
Staff Expectations
Staff should be on time, dressed appropriately and honest
with the administration.

Absences should be cleared by the administration at least
two days before the absence.

Staff must strive to maintain the safety of the school and
its students at all times and in all areas of the school.

The privacy of each student must be upheld at all times.
Teacher & TA Expectations

We will continue Teacher & TA expectations after
the break iA.
ICN AFA Absence & Tardy Policy
This policy holds true for EVERYONE iA, staff, teachers, TAs AND
Students.

Tardies will be marked by the front door staff if a anyone is >10
minutes late. Tardy fee=$10 per person!!

Each student will be given 1 tardy warning per semester (2 total
per year). Warnings do not incur fees.

3 Tardies=1 unexcused absence

3 Consecutive Unexcused Absences=Dropped Registration or $50
Penalty Fee

3 Unexcused Absences or 5 excused absences= $20 Penalty Fee
Dynamic Deeds
Brother Adnan Mirza
Our Dynamic Academy
ICN AFA will be an institution that recognizes its vision, goals
and standards so well that its values are visible and its
behaviors stimulate growth to become role models for the
community and Allahs obedient servants, iA.

Purpose: The Dynamic Deeds award was designed to
recognize any staff member for exceeding the Dynamic
Academy Principles.
Reward for recipients: $15 Gift Card!!!
How to Nominate: Either by email or CMS. Please include the
following
Awarded to
Dynamic Deed Observed
Nominated by
Date

Tab 4-School Tools

What are school tools?

They are tools which we, the staff, teachers
and TAs, can use to help us navigate the
school, account for every student and manage
our students during emergencies.
Classroom Tools
Rosters-Rosters are needed to account for
students each day and during emergency
situations (such as during a fire, tornado or lock
down). When an emergency ensues, teachers
should take, if possible, their classroom RED
folder with them.
Student Emergency Contact Information-This is
needed for emergency situations (ex. Allergic
reaction, sickness, etc.) This information will
be held in the front office.
Emergency Tools
Fire-Teachers should be aware of the nearest fire exit to
their classroom. Students should leave the building,
quietly in a single-file line. Teachers should re-enter
ONLY when authorized. (RED FOLDERS)
Lock Down-Teachers should have the students hide
under their desks away from doors and windows.
Classroom doors should be locked and students should
remain silent. Teachers can resume lessons ONLY when
authorized.
Tornado-Teachers should be aware of their designated
tornado shelter location. Students should leave their
classroom quietly and in a single-file line. Teachers can
return to their classrooms ONLY when authorized. (RED
FOLDERS)
Maps & Teacher Contact
Maps: To help teachers, staff and TAs navigate
the school. They are also needed for ICN AFA
to help parents and students navigate the
school.

Teacher Contact: Teacher contact information
is important so that grade-level teachers and
curriculum teachers can contact each other for
collaboration.
Curriculum Documents
These documents are needed for all three
disciplines: Arabic, Quran and Islamic Studies.
Teachers should be aware of what should be
covered throughout the school year. Teachers
can also seek information regarding what was
covered in previous years and what will be iA
covered in subsequent years.
Each child will receive a copy of their curriculum
outline for Arabic, Quran & Islamic Studies for
his/her grade level.
School Forms
These forms are a resource for teachers, staff
and TAs. See forms in appropriate section.

Examples-Discipline Forms
Substitute Teacher Forms


JazakAllah for all of your time Staff
Members!

InshAllah we can make this year successful,
together, as a TEAM!

Please fill out the training feedback form and leave it
in the box by the entrance door iA

Teachers & TAs10 minute break
Activity #1: BINGO


Please use the BINGO card provided to score 5
in a row!! Instructions are on the card.
Tab 2-Expectations Revisited

Let us now revisit this tab

What should we expect from our students, our
staff, our teachers and our TAs?

Everyone should follow the school rules!
Teacher Expectations
Be on Time:

Teachers must be at school 15 minutes
prior to their class start time. Teachers can
leave their TAs in their classrooms in order to
arrive to their next period on time iA.

Teacher Expectations
Be Prepared:

Lesson Plans (Due August 30
th
iA to your Team Lead)

Lessons and class agenda need to be posted on CMS by the
Friday prior to the lesson date! ***

Homework (Suggested: Pre-k to 2
nd
10 minutes per subject,
3
rd
-7
th
20 minutes per subject)

Projects/Tests & Quizzes

THERE WILL BE NO MORE MIDTERMS AND FINALS.

Teacher Expectations
Be Prepared (Cont)
Grades must be inputted within 2 weeks of the
assignment due date.
Teachers will be informally assessed once during the
year.
Teachers & TAs will run the gym activities. The actual
activity information will be relayed to Teachers in
advance iA.
Printing orders need to be submitted via email to
admin@icnschool.com the Wednesday before the lesson
date.

Teacher Expectations
Be Professional
Teachers should be on time, dressed appropriately and honest
with the administration.

Absences need to be pre-approved by the team leads and
reported to the team leads in advance. A substitute lesson plan
MUST be submitted to the team lead at least two days prior to the
absence date. (Further details see ICN AFA Absence Policy)

Privacy-The privacy of all students must not be compromised and
always upheld.

Teachers will go through continual Professional Development
monthy for 10-15 throughout the school year. They will also be
required to read a Professional Development assignment1 per
semester.
TA Expectations
Help in maintaining the discipline within the classroom at all times,
as well as during lunch, Salat and field trips, even when parents may
be present. TAs should never leave a class unattended.

Prohibition of the use of electronics, either ones own or the
Schools. (This includes phone calls and text msgs.)

Converse with their teachers regarding the weeks lesson prior to
that specific lesson date.

Assist teachers in uploading homework and class information onto
the CMS.

Must arrive by 9:50 each day and sign-in/sign-out. They cannot
leave the school premises without permission from the TA Lead
Coordinator iA.


Activity #2: Think-Pair-Share
Think: Think about one activity that engaged
your students last year. And, if you are new,
think about an activity that may engage your
students this year. (1 min)

Pair: Find a partner. Share you thoughts. (2
min)

Share: Lets discuss as a group. (3 min)
Lesson Design
What is a class routine?

A class routine refers to specific behaviors and
activities that are taught in order to provide
smooth, uninterrupted class operation.
Lesson Design (Cont)
Why use a class routine?

A teacher can use many methods of teaching which can
target multiple learning styles (ex. Visual, auditory, etc.)

Class routines allow for better classroom management
because students know exactly what is going to happen
during the class period. This allows more time for
teaching rather than time being spent uselessly on
organizing and disciplining.
Lesson Design (Cont)
Pre-K to Youth Group Class Routine for a 50
minute class:

(5-10 min) Bellwork/Check Homework
(10-15 min) Circle Time (Story/Conversation)
(20 min) Activity
(5-10 min) Wrap Up/Review
Class Routine
What is bellwork? (5-10 min)

Bellwork is work that is usually independent
student work. While students are completing
bellwork, teachers are given the opportunity to
take roll, check homework, etc.

Ex. Journal work, Coloring, Pair Homework Check,
etc.
Class Routine
What is Circle Time/Story Time? (10-15
minutes)
Circle Time is for all students. Younger students can come
to the front of the room and sit in a circle. Older students
can move their chairs into a circle shape.
Circle time allows each child to see each other. This
physical visibility fosters emotional visibility and allows
students to create bonds between each other.
Furthermore, circle time allows for movement in the
classroom.
(Examples: Younger students can sing nasheeds and have
their lesson during this time. Older students can use this
time for a story, conversation, review, quiz, etc.)
Class Routine
What is the Activity? (20 minutes)
This should be a creative approach to help your students
build on material presented during circle time.
Remember, we want our students to have FUN AND LOVE
ISLAMSo hard work in creating enticing and engaging
lesson plans will not only facilitate the learning process
but will also motivate students to attend and participate
iA!!
(Examples: For younger students-craft, activity stations,
group work. For older students-a debate, group work,
current event discussion, etc.)
Class Routine
What is the wrap-up/review? (5-10 minutes)
This is the time that activities should be cleaned up and
classrooms need to be put back in order.
This is a VERY important segment of the class routine. A
proper review helps students retain information and
continue to make connections between various
topics/themes.
(Examples: Elaboration-have students speak about what they
learned in their own words, Integration-compare and
contrast information and Organization-have students
organize material in a different method, Venn Diagram,
etc.See Binder for further details)
Activity #3: Tic-Tac-Toe
Game Time!

Let us see whether the Arabic Team, the Quran
Team or the Islamic Studies Team was listening
and engaged today
Instruction Strategies
BINGO

Think-Pair-Share

Tic-Tac-Toe



Tab 5-Course Management System
Brother Altaf Aali
The course management system will be used by staff, teachers and
TAs.

It should be used to post class notes (Friday before lesson),
homework assignments (Friday before lesson), tests/quizzes (at
least two weeks notice) as well as test and quiz study guides,
projects (2 weeks notice) and project guidelines and other important
information for students and their families.

The CMS can also be used to find the teacher binder (pdf version),
disciplinary action forms and dynamic deeds nomination forms.

Lastly, the CMS system can be used to message specific students as
well as to receive messages from parents.

A guide and YouTube video links are listed in the binder.
Educational Enrichment
Pearls of Action
1 per semester inshAllah

1
st
Semester: Quran
-Quran Quest (See schedule)

2
nd
Semester: TBA


CMS-What should I include?
Date of Lesson
Lesson Topic
What was the purpose/objective?
Activities Conducted (Brief)
Homework and/or Assignments (Due Date)

OPTIONAL:
Upcoming Assignments, Important Dates, Announcements
Please Remember (To be on time, Send your child to school with
Crayons, No iPhones, etc.)
Quick Break

First Day of School 9/6/14
Logistics



What Needs to be Covered

JazakAllah for all of your time!
(Feel free to stay to learn more about the CMS
system and/or speak to your Team Leads.)

InshAllah we can make this year successful,
together, as a TEAM!

Please fill out the training feedback form and
leave it in the box by the entrance door iA