In my Montessori classroom, I have always viewed cultural celebrations as an opportunity to help my Montessori students view the world with open eyes and minds. It is my hope that these exposures to the customs and peoples of other cultures and religions, helps children (and adults) to see everyone equally. The ninth month of the Islamic calendar is Ramadan. This year Ramadan is August 22-September 21. Muslims are celebrating when the Qur-an verses were revealed to the prophet Muhammad. The night the first verses were revealed is known as Lailut ul-Qadr (The Night of Power). It falls during the last 10 days of the month.

Muslims use Ramadan as a time to reflect, pray, and do good deeds while spending time with family and friends. This is very much in line with Montessori philosophy, and is a wonderful time to introduce activities and reading material to your students as part of culture and peace education studies.

Ramadan Activities and Reading for the Montessori Classroom

During this time, Muslims around the world fast during daylight hours. This fasting helps teach discipline, restraint, and generosity. Also, the fasting is meant to remind Muslims of those who are less fortunate and do not get to eat well. Many Muslims will read much, or all, of the Qur’an during Ramadan and attend services in Mosques that include readings of the Qur’an.

Those observing Ramadan often have one meal before sunrise (suhoor) and then have another meal after sunset (iftar). Dates are often eaten during iftar because it is believed that the Prophet Muhammed did the same. Many Muslim families will come together at iftar to break the daylight fast together.

Once fasting is complete at the end of the month, the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast (Eid-ul-Fitr) takes place. This large celebration is observed by dressing in the finest cloths, children receiving gifts and continuing to spend time with family and friends. During this time, a donation is given to charity to help the poor buy clothes and food so they can celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr as well.

Ramadan Activities for the Montessori Classroom:

• Make Ramadan Fanoos (lantern), sing Ramadan songs, or create a Ramadan calendar chain: Children’s Activities for the Month of Ramadan
• Make a sun catcher inspired by geometric shapes and the stained glass in Mosques

Ramadan Books for the Montessori Classroom:

• My First Ramadan, by Karen Katz
• Fasting and Dates: A Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr Story, by Jonny Zucker and Jan Barger Cohen
• Ramadan (Rookie Read-About Holidays), by David F. Marx
• Night of the Moon: A Muslim Holiday Story, by Hena Khan and Julie Paschkis
• Ramadan, by Suhaib Hamid Ghazi and Omar Rayyan
• The Last Night of Ramadan, by Maissa Hamed and Mohamed El Wakil
• Ramadan (On My Own Holidays), by Susan L. Douglass and Jeni Reeves
• Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, by Deborah Heiligman
• Under the Ramadan Moon, by Sylvia Whitman and Sue Williams
• The White Nights of Ramadan, by Maha Addasi and Ned Gannon
• Ramadan Moon, by Na’ima B. Robert and Shirin Adl

Source: BBC Schools – Islam