Materials
What Does Peace Feel Like by V. Radunsky
whiteboard and markers
paper or journals
pencils
art supplies.
1. Definition of peace
Ask students what peace means. Work with your class to come up with a definition for the word peace. Write this on the whiteboard.
Compare the class definition with the dictionary definition of peace: a state of tranquility or serenity.
2. Story time
Read the book What Does Peace Feel Like by V. Radunsky to your class. If you don’t have access to this book in your school library, you can find videos of the book being read aloud by others online.
3. Journal activity
Share the prompts below with the class:
What does peace feel like?
What does peace look like?
What does peace smell like?
What does peace sound like?
What does peace taste like?
Give students time to journal about their examples of experiencing peace in their lives with the five senses.
4. Sharing and discussion
Bring students together to share their responses from their journals. Use the following questions as a discussion guide:
Does peace mean the same thing to everyone in our class? What about other children around the world?
Do you think all children are able to live in peace? Why or why not?
5. Art activity
Ask students to choose one experience of peace from the journal entries to create a picture of peace using their choice of materials. The picture can communicate what peace means to them or what peace looks like in their life. Students can work with little buddies or big buddies in their school to make this picture.
Display student artwork around the classroom or school. Do a gallery walk for students to view each other’s work.
6. Extension
Visit voicesofyouth.org/world-childrens-day-2024 to learn about children around the world who are standing up for children’s rights.
