May Peace Prevail on Earth
Sep 21, 2020
In the Beginning
The message and spirit of peace hold a special place in my heart. When I began teaching 30 years ago, it was when I started to develop and integrate a peace curriculum. In the beginning, what I found most helpful was sharing peace resources with my colleagues and conducting teacher observations. Observing children is a wonderful part of the life of a teacher and when you can observe children who are dedicated to becoming a peace promoter, it is so wonderful to witness.
As my teaching years clicked right along, my peace curriculum became refined, my resources expanded and my network of global peace pals grew tenfold. My commitment to preparing for and scheduling school-wide peace assemblies resulted in continued peace studies, reflection, and the fostering of peace within my school communities.
While teaching and learning all I could about peace, I was introduced to international peace poles. Since my introduction to them back in 1992, with my first successful planting at Mont' Kiara International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, I have had the privilege to plant plenty more. Proudly, my former school, MKIS, was the first school to have an international peace pole planted in the country. A peace pole's meaning, purpose, and learning that to plant one is rather simple, has me on a mission. It is to share and teach others about their special significance and for additional peace poles to be planted.
Creating An Environment of Peace
At Amherst Montessori School we are fortunate to have talented teachers dedicated to fostering peace in their classrooms. Our school is proud to follow in the steps of our idol and mentor, Dr. Maria Montessori, a well-known pioneer in peace education.
A teacher's classroom environment is the perfect place to display and offer peaceful messages, images, definitions, and peace resources. From decorative and simplistic peace posters to arranging a peace/Zen corner, peace can exist. Offering students a classroom library with books all about peace and providing them with opportunities to explore and engage in activities devoted to peace supports the presence and mission of peace in a classroom and beyond.
As teachers, we model peace by what we do and what we say. A couple of my favorite ways to remind children on how to share peace is to use the 2 finger peace symbol and wave the peace sign or gently tap a friend's shoulder, and say and repeat, "Peace. Pass it on," or to simply say, "May peace be with you."
Nancy's Top 5
While there are so many excellent and worthwhile book and song choices all about peace, here are my top 5 choices for reading aloud and singing along.
Books
Can You Say, Peace? by K. Katz
Peace Is An Offering by A. Lebox
Peace In 100 Languages by M. Kabattchenko
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by E. Coerr
Our Peaceful Classroom by A. Wolf
Songs
"Teaching Peace All Around the World" by R. Grammar
"Peace Be With You" by N. Craker-Yahman
"Light A Candle for Peace" by S. Murley
"Peace Round" by J. Ritchie
"Shalom My Friends" D. Hustad
Peace Poles & Plantings
Have you noticed Amherst Montessori school's entrance sign, Peace Way? How about our school's International Peace Pole that is planted close to our school's main entrance? Our prized peace pole isn't hard to miss. It's tall, sturdy, made from wood, and has the welcoming message, May Peace Prevail on Earth displayed on each of its 4 sides. Our peace pole has this same saying printed in the following languages: Algonquin, Arabic, Braille, Chinese, English, French, German, Russian and Spanish.
International Peace Poles are generally made from metal or wood and are mainly planted in public parks, on school grounds, at places of worship, university campuses, community centers, and the like. Surrounding a peace pole's beauty are most often flowers, an assortment of plants, a comfortable bench, birdbaths, large rocks, origami mobiles, and additional symbols of peace. Many who choose to plant a peace pole offer additional space near the pole so guests drawn to its presence may sit, gather, reflect, relax, and think peaceful thoughts.
Our school peace pole has a small gold sign embedded on the front which highlights that the class of 2014 planted the pole for the Unification of all Nations at Amherst Montessori School. Students, families, teachers, and visitors appreciate this symbol of peace. Having a treasured peace pole planted on our school grounds signifies that our school is one of peace and that our peace pole serves as a silent visual for peace to prevail on earth.
The Amherst Montessori School peace pole.
September 21, 2020, International Peace Day
This year's theme for the International Day of Peace is Shaping Peace Together.
Each year, the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on September 21st. The United Nations General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire.
Like many schools around the world, our school dedicates time in the school day to honor International Peace Day. On this momentous day, we make sure that the message of peace and its mission prevails.
As a school community, we gather together to sing and to listen to important and meaningful messages about peace shared by our students, teachers, and our Head of School, Susanna. In the art class and their assigned classrooms, peace activities are implemented with peace creations taken home for children to share with their families. During my time here as a member of the administrative team, the students have created a school-wide chain of peace and a large banner of planet earth that featured the word peace, from around the world.
This September 21st, due to school-wide safety measures regarding COVID-19, we will not be able to join together like we usually do. However, what I know for sure is that students and teachers will likely sing songs about peace, talk about peace, reflect about peace, and continue to honor International Peace Day in a myriad of ways. Like you, knowing this fills me with peaceful feelings and contentment.
Peace Pole Project Information
Peace Poles and other supportive peace pole information can be found here: May Peace Prevail On Earth Home
Blog entry submitted by Nancy Craker-Yahman
Administrative Assistant
Global International Peace Pole Planter, Peace Promoter & Peace Enthusiast