Re: Arabic classes
niksik,
i also volunteer teaching kids at my local masjid......i honestly suggest u stick with fathah, kasrah and dhammah...the urdu zabr, zer, pesh is just confusing.....especially with the urdu pronounciation of certain letters (sa = tha, suad = saad, etc)....i learned the urdu way as a kid, and it messed me up as an adult, but now alhumdulillah im handling the arabic way fine.
well to mamke them remember....for the fathah...i tell them its an A sound...and kasrah E sound and Dhammah O sound...like vowels....
also the book that they are learvnign from is really great..its written by the Imam of the masjid....
as for character buliding.....i say start off with simple Ahadiths about character....ask them to read it and what they think it means (for ex. La Thag Dhab ..do not become angry)....ask them to explain it and then explain to them how the Prophet SAW handled situations when one becomes angry.
May Allah reward you for your Efforts.