Pictures of Peace in the Primary/Elementary Classroom at Coronado

September 21st was the International Day of Peace.  In 1981, the United Nations General Assembly established the International Day of Peace, which resolution 36/67 stated in part, " . .  to concentrate the efforts to promote the ideals of peace and to giving positive evidence of their commitment to peace in all viable ways."  The first International Day of Peace was celebrated in September 1982.

People all over the world celebrated in different ways.  People simply lit candles at noon, meditated, or did a good deed for someone they did not know.  Others attended public forums, concerts, and large events.

In our class the children talked about what peace means.  Great definitions were shared.  "Being nice."  "Not hurting people."  "Being a good friend."  "Loving people."  "Not being all crazy." 

We gathered in the afternoon and talked about peacemakers.  We talked about Maria Montessori, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, Jr., Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Dalai Lama, and Jane Goodall.  We talked about how these people helped others to know more about what peace means.  The children wanted to know if these important people were still alive.  I told them some of these people are still alive, others have passed on.  One student said, "Oh, Ms. Beverley, so that's why they say, Rest in Peace, right?"  "Um, well, yes," I replied, "and even though they are resting in peace, we can actively follow their example, words, and actions."  I am thrilled with these deep thinkers!

Maria Montessori said of peace, "Peace is what every human being is craving for, and it can be brought about by humanity through the child."

Ms. Mayte's class at Sunset recited beautiful peace poetry: 

Peace is the world smiling
Peace is a gentle dove
Peace is sharing
Peace is caring
Peace is filling our world with love                               

On a side note, Ms. Jackie often brings our class "objects" that she finds for our discovery desk.  The children examine these objects under the magnifying glass--leaves, rocks, shells, snail shells--objects of nature.  Ms. Jackie brought us a beautiful specimen of a bumblebee-- gossamer wings, velvety stripes of bright yellow and black.  The bumblebee had, of course, passed away, and the children examined all parts, including finding the stinger.  One child was insistent that the bumblebee was not dead (although corrected by the others), but only asleep.  "Ms. Beverley, it's resting."  Hearing the opening for my internal punch line,  I mumbled under my breath, "Um, well, yes . . . . .  resting in peace!"