International Day of Peace -- September 21st

Each year on or around September 21, my school district takes part in the International Day of Peace. Our art teachers create an art piece reflecting peace (this year it was a variety of different styles of peace symbol, past years included a Pinwheels for Peace project). Classroom teachers talk about it during the week leading up to the 21st and I do a lesson focused entirely on this important international date.

This year I used a fantastically clever book called Priscilla McDoodleNut Doodle McMae Asks Why? by Janet Mary Sinke. This story shows to warring kings who are fighting over which color of hair was superior. Priscilla, the heroine of the story, had the courage to ask "why?" and it led to changes in her nation.

I challenge the students each year that they, too, can change the world. The rest of the lesson focuses on the Random Acts of Kindness challenge they will take up as a way to celebrate Peace Week. There are many ideas for this on the web, including the website: https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/

I challenged students to spread kindness as a family activity. Here is the sheet I sent home: