Grade 5 celebrate UN Peace Day

Grade 5 celebrate UN Peace Day
  • Grade 3
  • Grade 5
  • Kindergarten
  • Parent Information
Serrin Smyth

Celebrating UN Peace Day 

As part of the unit of inquiry, 'Peacebuilding', Grade 5 students engaged in a range of different events to celebrate the United Nations International Day of Peace on Wednesday 21st September. Guided by the IB Mission, students spent the day inquiring into: How can you be part of creating a better and more peaceful world?

Clothes representing Peace

Grade 5 students asked if they could come to school wearing colours that represent Peace. The ideas generated by the students included: "Wearing one thing that is white to unify us as a group, calm colours that make you feel calm or peaceful, bright colours because peace is like light in the world and hope, the colours for Ukraine or white and blue as they are calming colours."

Sanjana made her t-shirt at home with her Mum.

Research

Students began the day by researching the questions: 

What is Peace Day?

Why do we need Peace?

Why do we need the UN?

- If we don’t bring countries together then people will fight (Annie)

- It’s purpose is to change their thinking about doing bad things (Coco)

- How does the UN help the world be a better place? (Eloise) 

- What could we do make the world a more peaceful place? (Cassia)

Why might an international organization like the UN take one day out of its calendar to celebrate and focus on Peace globally?

How are other countries around the world celebrating Peace Day?

Peace Day Challenge!

Students built upon ideas from the Peace Day Challenge in order to cultivate peace within themselves and promote peace within our Seisen Community. After each activity they reflected on which acts they had engaged with. 

Reading to Kindergarten

Grade 5 students selected books from the library to read to Kindergarten. Their book selection included books about friendship, love, hope, kindness, mindfulness, yoga, conflict resolution, and peace within you. 

Reflection from students after visiting Kindergarten

In one word: Good, Fun, Cute, Awesome!!

What went well and how is this connected to Peace?

  • We practiced asking our and answering questions
  • We could talk and connect with others
  • We got to teach yoga
  • They didn’t want us to leave
  • They shared their materials with us and they felt safe to do so
  • Everyone was included
  • They started to trust us
  • They seemed happy and if you are in a good mood this might be easier to help others and spread their happiness
  • We started to build relationships/friendships
  • Let’s make a next time to visit KG!

Poetry for Peace

Students wrote Peace Poems to share with the community.

Initiating collaborative games with Grade 3 during recess

Students developed games and taught them to Grade 3 during their play time; Duck Duck Goose, Cops & Robbers, Free Tag, Telephone, Crocodile, Relay Races, 1, 2, 3, Bumble Bee.

Exploring the connections between Peace and Music

Making a personal peace pledge

A Message of Peace for Ukraine

Today on September 21st the UN's International Day of Peace we share a short video compiled by Mr Brittain of postcards the Elementary Students drew last Spring for the people of Ukraine. The music accompanying the video was recorded by Mrs Ofstedal, our Elementary Music Teacher with last year's Grade 4B class. Today, we think and pray especially for all individuals, groups and people around the world impacted by conflict. We hope that we can answer the UN's call and respond to their peace day challenge - Peace - "Say it, Do it, Share it. That we can...1. Say what peace means to us, 2. So something that demonstrates our commitment to peace and 3. Share peace with others.

 How will you be part of creating a better and more peaceful world?

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