A Lesson Plan for Peace Poem (Ages 3-adult)

By Rae Takemoto, teacher, Kula Elementary School, Kula HI

GOAL: To inspire creativity in a peaceful way.

OBJECTIVE: To write a poem inspired by the individual's thoughts on peace.

MATERIALS: Paper and pencil or pen.

STEPS:

1) Share an example of a haiku, free verse

2) Explain the structure of a haiku (5-7-5 syllables, reference to seasons, nature), free verse (no rhyme, rhythm required, but thoughts should seek to be personal).

3) Brainstorm words or phrases as a class that are associated with "peace".  Write words on a large chart for class to see result of collective brainstorming.

4) Create a class poem using the words from the list. Model the process of arranging the words in a sentence or phrases until it "feels good". Add a word of your own, not on the list. * Emphasize ideas, concepts, and phrases. Sometimes, the creative process is encouraged more when the teacher does not allow complete sentences.

5) Each student personally selects poetic form to record on Peace Poem and writes it on paper.

6) Teacher makes editing changes to each student's poem - spelling, word usage, etc.

7) Student writes in own handwriting his/her final piece. We request each student write two lines on peace; the words can be larger to accommodate the two lines. A lesson from writing a haiku or poem in general is: It's not so much how many words one writes; it's the feeling conveyed to the readers and listeners. If a child is unable to write in his/her own handwriting, he/she may dictate his poem and sign it. We have had a 3-year-old child dictate her lines to her sister. Remember the first two lines of the Peace Poem were started by a 6-year-old child.

Ex. Libby Barker, 6, who began Peace Poem: "Peace means everyone loving everyone else/ and we're all part of one world."

8) If a child is unable to write in his/her own handwriting, he/she may dictate his poem and sign it. We have had a 3-year-old child dictate her lines to her sister. Remember the first two lines of the Peace Poem were started by a 6-year-old child.

9) You may repeat this process using other poetic forms, such as cinquain (2-4-6-8-2 syllables), tanka (5-7-5-7-7 syllables).

10) Send peace poem scrolls to: Peace Poem P.O. Box 102 Lahaina, Hawaii, USA 96761 Telephone, USA, (808) 661-0517

11) Optional: **Upon request, we will send special rag paper rolls for your project. **Send a photograph of yourself, group, or class.

Brief histories, observances:

Aug. 6 - Hiroshima Day. Observance of the devastation caused by the H-bomb.

Oct. 2 - Birthday of Mohandas Ghandi (Oct. 2, 1869, India-Jan 30, 1948). Leader of Indian Nationalist movement who espoused a doctrine of non-violence to achieve social and political change. Led civil disobedience demonstration in S. Africa against anti-Hindu discrimination in 1893.  Threatened to die by fasting to achieve social reforms.

Assassinated. Jan. 15 - Birthday of Martin Luther King (Jan. 15, 1929, USA-April 4, 1968) U.S. civil rights leader, reverend. Led black boycott in Montgomery, Alabama against segregated bus lines in 1955.  Supported non-violent resistance and organized massive march on Washington, D.C. in 1963. Author, "Stride Toward Freedom," 1958. Awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.  Assassinated.