Lesson Overview:

In this lesson, students will discover the history behind the world’s most prestigious peace prize.

Lesson Plan:

Suggested Grades:

2-5

Objective:

To help students understand the life of Alfred Nobel and his motivation to establish international prizes rewarding human achievement, especially peace.

Suggested Time:

40-50 minutes

Success Criteria:

Each student will be able to explain what Alfred Nobel did that made him wealthy and why he funded international prizes for achievement.  Each student will also decorate a dove to display in school to promote peace.

Lesson Plan:

1. Introduction:

Remind students of everything they have done thus far in their unit on peace.   Tell them that today they will learn about the world’s greatest prize for peace, the Nobel Peace Prize.

Show the book cover.  Ask students to look very carefully at Zachary Pullen’s cover illustration.  If you pay very close attention, what do you notice in the cover illustration?  (Answer:  There is a dove almost hidden in the figure of the eye.)

Explain that there was a man named Alfred Nobel and that he created the Peace Prize to try to make our world a safer, happier, more prosperous, and more humane place.  Ask students to listen to the text and try to discover:

1. Which country Mr. Nobel came from.
2. What Mr. Nobel and his family invented.
3. What made Mr. Nobel wealthy.
4. What made Mr. Nobel so very, very sad.
5. What action Mr. Nobel took to make the world a better place.

2. Main:

Teach Alfred Nobel: The Man Behind the Peace Prize by Kathy-Jo Wargin and illustrated by Zachary Pullen.  Check for understanding as you proceed through the text.  The children will almost certainly be unfamiliar with many of the places, inventions, and businesses.  Emphasize the big idea, that Mr. Nobel left his fortune to establish international prices to reward remarkable work in the sciences and arts, as well as peace.

Explain that the dove is an international symbol for peace.  Show the children the handout and give them instructions about decorating, cutting out, and displaying their doves.

Allow the children time to complete their dove projects.

3. Conclusion:

Review some of the facts the class learned today about Alfred Nobel.  These might include:

1. Alfred Nobel was born in Sweden.
2. Alfred Nobel was an inventor.
3. Alfred Nobel invented dynamite.
4. Alfred Nobel did not like that his inventions were used to harm others.
5. Alfred Nobel used his fortune to fund international prizes in science, the arts, and peace.
6. The Nobel Prizes are awarded every year.

Thank the children for their work and give final instructions about how to finish decorating and displaying the doves.

Resources:

1. Alfred Nobel: The Man Behind the Peace Prize by Kathy-Jo Wargin and illustrated by Zachary Pullen.
2. Copies of the dove student handout. (Free Clip Art)
3. Colored pencils or supplies to decorate the dove.
4. A few photos of doves so that the children have an idea of what a real dove looks like. (I usually use Google images to pull up a few quickly.)
5. The Nobel Museum: http://www.nobelmuseum.se/en
6. Alfred Nobel’s Life for Grade School Children: https://www.nobelprize.org/alfred_nobel/biographical/articles/life-work/gradeschool.html

Notes:

This is an easy lesson and one the children will remember.

Recommended books for this lesson:

1. Alfred Nobel: The Man Behind the Peace Prize by Kathy-Jo Wargin and illustrated by Zachary Pullen.

Key Terms:

Alfred Nobel, Nobel Prizes, Nobel Peace Prize, Inventors, Science Experiments

Dove Student Handout

Lesson Overview:

In this lesson, students will use their ideas about peace from the unit to build a “peace chain.”  As incredible as it sounds, I have found that many students do not know how to do something as simple as make a paper chain.  This lesson gives them the chance to consolidate what they have learned while working together on a cooperative project.

Lesson Plan:

Suggested Grades:

2-3

Objective:

To review what has been learned about peace and to build a paper chain, a visual reminder of the many things the children know how to do to create a more peaceful world.

Suggested Time:

35-40 minutes

Success Criteria:

Each child will complete three or four chain links.  On one side the child will write a “Peace is . . . . . “ statement.  On the reverse, the child will write an “I can . . . “ statement.

Lesson Outline:

1. Introduction:

Remind the children of the song they learned, “I’ve Got Peace in My Fingers” by Susan Salidor.  Show them the peace video if you haven’t already.  Explain that today’s lesson will be a chance to review and consolidate everything they have learned about peace while working together to make a “Peace Chain.”

Put up the class notes about what peace means to them.  You should have this left over from an earlier lesson.  Read through the list together.

Ask each child to make three links in a paper chain by:

• Writing a “Peace Is” statement on one side of the paper strip: Ex:  Peace is a smile.
• Writing an “I can” statement on the other side of the paper strip: Ex:  I can smile every morning.

It is very important that the children write the “I can” statements because this shows that they can act based on what they have learned.

Demonstrate how to put the chain together once they have finished the writing and ask each child to complete three or four colored paper strips.

2. Main:

Give the children time to write their “Peace is” and “I can” statements and then work together to assemble the class “Peace Chain.”  You will need an extra pair of hands to help the children put the chain together.  See the attachment for an example of a completed chain.

3. Conclusion:

Emphasize that the class knows how to do many things to help create peace at home, at school, and in the community.   A few may want to count the number of links in the chain.  Others may want to hold the chain or measure the chain.  Each time I have done this lesson, the kids have been so proud of their chains!  Let them use them in as many ways as you can think of.

Resources:

1. Strips of colored paper for the students to write on, about 2-3 cm wide. You should prepare four strips per child with a few extras in case of mistakes or tears.  (I usually use off-cuts from the browser cards which are prepared at the beginning of every year.)
2. Dark colored markers or pens.
3. Tape

Notes:

I have adapted this lesson from a lesson called “Friendship Chain” published in the Olive Branch Teacher’s Guide, 2008.

• To see the original lesson plan, follow this link to the .pdf which contains the lesson plan: https://www.seedsofpeace.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/PeaceGames.pdf
• To find out more about the parent organization, Seeds of Peace, follow this link: https://www.seedsofpeace.org/

Recommended books for this lesson:

None.

Key Terms:

Peace, Peace and Conflict, Taking Action, Paper Chains, Crafts, Cooperation

Peace Chain

Lesson Overview:

In this lesson, students will be able to view and reflect upon their class peace video.  They will also learn how to say “peace” in multiple languages.  They will create a Peace Word Wall display and will be able to view and reflect upon their class peace video.

Lesson Plan:

Suggested Grades:

2-4

Objective:

Each child will learn how to say “peace” in two languages that are not her mother tongue.   Each child will also create one item to display on the Peace Word Wall.  Finally, the class will also enjoy viewing their peace video.

Suggested Time:

40-50 minutes

Success Criteria:

By the end of this lesson, children should know how to say “peace” in multiple languages.  This new learning will be displayed on a Word Wall.  Also, the finished video will be shown to the children.  They should be able to celebrate their learning by seeing it on the big screen.

Lesson Outline:

1. Introduction:

Remind the children that they have been inquiring into peace, what peace is and how it looks and sounds in action.  They have sung a song, read books, brainstormed, created poses, taken pictures, and written short narration for a class video about peace.  The video is now ready to watch!  To help prepare for the debut, they will learn how to say “peace” in many languages and will prepare a Word Wall with the new vocabulary.

2. Main:

The main purpose of today’s lesson is to show the kids their video!  But, that will probably only take two or three minutes.  So, the rest of the time will be filled with another great literature link to the unit and making a Word Wall.

Share Can You Say Peace? by Karen Katz.  Have the children say the word “peace” in each of the languages.  Pay special attention to children who know the featured languages or can say “peace” in their own mother tongue language.

Have the children make a Word Wall using Peace Words.  Ask each child to make one word and one symbol.  A symbol could be a smile, a dove, a handshake, a peace sign, etc.  Each child will use two quarter sheets of paper for this project.  The word could be any word related to the concept of peace in any language.  The symbol could be anything they think helps bring peace or represents peace.

Once all the words and symbols have been posted on the Word Wall, show the kids their video!  Many may have seen it already, but this can be the official debut.  If you can make popcorn, give the kids a little treat for all their hard work.

3. Conclusion:

Congratulate the children on their work.  Share their work on the class Weebly, the school newsletter, or on the school’s big screens!  This video and the work that went into it will leave a lasting impression on the children.

Resources:

1. Can You Say Peace? by Karen Katz
2. Quarter sheets of white paper for the Word Wall words.
3. Video projection capability
4. Finished Peace Video
5. A small display area prepped for the Word Wall work

Notes:

It will take quite a bit of preparation to get ready for today’s lesson.  You will need to put the pictures with narration together, choose a theme, add music, and finalize the video.  This doesn’t have to take very long, but if you have never done it before please allow up to two hours.  You will struggle if your broadband capability is not strong.  So, be sure that you have good connectivity before you attempt the video editing.

There is a wealth of resources on peace, promoting peace, and creating a peaceful school.  Instead of this video approach, you could take an “anti-bullying” approach.  Or, you could take a conflict resolution approach.   My preference is to have one unit a year with a very strong technology tie-in.  The technology needs to be one in which the children create a piece of work, and I have found that this peace unit works very well.

Recommended books for this lesson:

1. Can You Say Peace? by Karen Katz

Key Terms:

Peace, Hug, Smile, Wave, Friendship, Community, Caring, Security, Home, Happiness

 

Lesson Overview:

In this lesson, students will preview their photos and finalize their short scripts for the peace video.

Lesson Plan:

Suggested Grades:

2-4

Objective:

Students will finalize their short (usually one sentence) scripts for the peace video.

Suggested Time:

35-45 minutes

Success Criteria:

Each student will check to ensure that he is in at least one of the photos selected for the video. Each student will also write a script for the slide in which he appears.

Lesson Outline:

1. Introduction:

We are working on showing our understanding of peace. Today we will make sure that all our pictures are in good order and that we know what we want to say in our video. We will also have a look at how someone else has shown what peace looks like around the world. Barbara Kerley didn’t make a peace video. She wrote a book, but her ideas might look and sound something like our ideas! Let’s see what she has prepared for us about peace.

2. Main:

Teach A Little Peace by Barbara Kerley. This book is exquisite! It has very little text, but the combined text and words are powerful. If the children have not yet decided what to show or how to pose, this book will help them. Whereas Todd Parr’s The Peace Book uses fanciful colors and illustrations, Ms. Kerley works with real life photographs. Her work captures people all over the world at home, work, in their communities, and playing peacefully and joyfully with one another.

If needed, let the kids work out their representation of peace and their spoken lines. As they are ready, take them singly or in pairs to finish the photographs or record their voices.

I have allowed two lessons for this, but the time may vary depending on how well the children follow instructions and work together.

3. Conclusion:

Tell the children that the next time you meet, the video will be ready to preview. Have them reflect on what it has felt like to see and hear themselves promoting peace. Ask how they feel about the message they have prepared. Ask how they think their message may be received by their classmates and parents. You may wish to have a few quiet minutes for them to write a short reflection about their part in this project.

Resources:

1. A Little Peace by Barbara Kerley.
2. Camera or mobile device with a camera.
3. Any props, pencils, or papers that the children need for their poses or to remember their spoken lines.
4. Additional staff. I find that children need to rehearse and practice the speaking parts, especially if they are speaking in groups.
5. A quiet nook for recording the video narration.

Notes:

Before this lesson, you will need to create a teacher account with Adobe Spark Video. Adobe Spark Video is easy to use, free, and will have you creating beautiful videos in minutes. I also enjoy using Animoto, but with Adobe Spark Video you can add a soundtrack. The soundtrack is essential for students to record their voices, explain their thinking, and narrate their photos. I use Adobe Spark Video on an iPad, but you can use it on other mobile devices and on a computer. Take the time to get familiar with the software before the lesson so that the effort is trouble-free when you are in front of the kids.

Here is a link to Adobe Spark Video: https://spark.adobe.com/about/video

Children often need help articulating clearly enough for the recording. Be prepared to record and playback several times so that they can hear their voices and make any necessary adjustments.

Finally, here is a link to what a finished product can look like: https://spark.adobe.com/video/2mvETADeMalzJ

Recommended books for this lesson:

1. A Little Peace by Barbara Kerley

Key Terms:

Peace, Hug, Smile, Wave, Friendship, Community, Caring, Security, Home, Happiness

 

Lesson Overview:

In this lesson, students will broaden their thinking about peace by reading and discussing Todd Parr’s phenomenal The Peace Book.  Students will also continue their thinking about what peace is and what peace looks like in action. 

Suggested Grades:

2-4

Objective:

Each student will be able to articulate one thing she can do, say, and express to promote peace.  Each student will also, with a partner, select a pose that would represent these elements.

Suggested Time:

35-45 minutes

Success Criteria:

Students will complete the student handout with three short sentences.  Students will also have their picture taken at least twice in their peace “poses.”

Lesson Outline:

1. Introduction:

Remind the children that they have already learned to sing a song about peace.  Sing “I’ve Got Peace in My Fingers” by Susan Salidor again to reinforce last week’s lesson.  Explain that a lot of people have ideas about what a peaceful world looks like.  Today we’ll use the work of Todd Parr, an author/illustrator known for his eye-popping colors, to expand our thinking about peace.

2. Main:

Read and discuss The Peace Book by Todd Parr.  Check for understanding by asking questions such as:

1. How does keeping the water blue for the fish create a peaceful world?
2. How does listening to music help you feel peace? Could playing music help create peace?
3. Can reading books really help you feel peaceful?

You could also phrase these questions from the perspective of avoiding conflict.  For example:

1. How does keeping the water clean help us avoid conflict with our neighbors?
2. How can music help someone feel better?
3. If a person is feeling very sad, could reading a story help them feel better?

Make sure that you allow the children to ask and answer any questions they may have about peace.

After you conclude the story and discussion, give instruction for the remainder of the lesson.  Go over the assignment on the student handout.  Make sure that the kids understand that they need to write three sentences, then work with a partner to “act out” their ideas about peace.

I recommend using Adobe Spark to put together the class video.  Adobe Spark uses still photographs, so the kids need to agree on a few simple poses.  It is better to have photographs on one device, so I recommend letting the kids pose and having one teacher or teaching assistant take the photographs.

If this activity gets too unruly or loud, sit the children on the carpet and ask the teams to come up, one by one, and show the class their poses.  The pictures can be taken with everyone watching as a way of sharing their understandings.

Try to get every student in at least two pictures.  This will give you enough to draw from for the video and will ensure that every student is featured in the peace video.

3. Conclusion:

Wrap up by emphasizing that the children are now able to share their ideas about peace with the school and with their families because they can show their thinking.  Explain that in the next lesson  the children will record their voices for the video!

Resources:

1. The Peace Book by Todd Parr. If this is not available, you can also use Peace Week in Miss Fox’s Class by Eileen Spinelli and Anne Kennedy.
2. Copies of the student handout that accompanies this lesson.
3. Pencils
4. Last week’s brainstorming notes prepared by small groups.
5. Camera or mobile device with a camera.

Notes:  Each time I have done this lesson series I have felt that the preparation for “acting out” the understandings of peace has been a bit too loud and somewhat wild.  However, each time we have come up with terrific results.  Learning is not always quiet!  The great thing about making the video is that is allows the children to take an abstract concept and bring it to their level while making it personal.  Take your time – it may take two lessons to get all the pictures finished.  You need about 20 photos for a 90 second video.

I have included a few blank speech bubbles in case the children’s poses need some explanation.  Don’t let the kids get too carried away with writing in the speech bubbles.  But, for example, if they come up with an idea such as “Peace means saying ‘Hello’,” you could allow them to write “Hello” in several different languages in a few speech bubbles to help create their pose.

Recommended books for this lesson:

1. The Peace Book by Todd Parr.
2. Peace Week in Miss Fox’s Class by Eileen Spinelli and Anne Kennedy.

Key Terms:

Peace, Cooperation, Kindness, Helping, Caring, Respect

Student Handout, Peace Book

Thought and Speech Bubbles