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Peace doves

Aim

To provide a general understanding of the sacrifices and achievements Canadian peacekeepers have made to help people in war-torn lands.

Objectives

Youth are expected to:

  • understand what peace is and its importance at home, in school, in communities and around the world.
  • understand why the dove represents peace.
  • create a peace dove to express their wishes for peace
  • begin to understand Canada’s international peacekeeping efforts and what peacekeepers do.

Target audience

This activity is suitable for grades 4-6.

Sequence of events and anticipated time frame [about 60 minutes]

(You can modify this activity to fit available time.)

  • Introductory discussion [5 minutes]
  • Poem
  • Make peace doves [40 minutes]
  • Conclusion [10 minutes]

Recommended materials

Introductory discussion [5 minutes]

Discuss with youth what they know about wars. Do they know of any times when our country has fought in a conflict? Do they have any family or friends who have served in times of war?

War is similar to a larger and more serious version of schoolyard bullying. Countries like Canada have sent soldiers around the world to prevent bullying and keep peace.

Talk about how the term “peacekeepers” has become well-known in many countries. You may wish to share a world map. Point out where Canadian peacekeepers have served far from home, such as Asia and Africa.

Canadians have served around the world as peacekeepers. They have tried to restore peace in countries threatened by violence and war.

What would it feel like to live in a country at war?

Read aloud a poem [5 minutes]

As a class, read aloud The eloquent young elephant poem by Sheree Fitch. How did the elephants feel after the young elephant spoke up about how they felt about war? What happened to the older elephants? How did they react?

Explain that young people are small, but they can have a say. They can promote the message of peace at school, at home and in their community!

Talk about concepts of peace such as:

  • Actions: our own actions affect ourselves or those in our family, and other people in other places.
  • Acceptance: the importance of accepting those who are different from us.
  • Open-hearted: we should not fear people and cultures that are different.
  • Respect: we should respect one another and our world.

Discuss how peace may look different to different people. Brainstorm with your students. What is peace to them? Together make a list of ways they think they can help keep their class peaceful.

Remind students peace begins with small gestures—at home and at school.

Making peace doves

Explain doves are a universal symbol of peace. Hang peace doves in your classroom to remind students it is important to be a peaceful person. Your students can make paper doves of peace. Make an entire flock to hang around your classroom! This arts and crafts activity also honours the Canadians who have sacrificed to nurture peaceful relations around the world.

Explain to your students they will create a peace dove. They will use the outline of their hand as the dove’s wings, and cut out a dove body using the template.

Here are the steps for making peace doves. Your students could also watch a short video:  DIY Peace Doves Step-by-step guide of a student making a peace dove.

  • Print a dove body template for each student. Provide them with two blank sheets of white paper.
  • Cut out the dove body.
  • Trace their hand onto the white sheet of paper.
  • Line up the two sheets of paper and cut out the traced hand. They will have two of them.
  • On the fingers of the cut-out hands, write one (or more) messages of peace.
  • On the cut-out of the bird body, colour the beak orange. Make eyes on both sides of its head.
  • Slightly fold the hand cut-outs at the bottom (where the wrist is). Glue them to the dove to make “wings.”

Conclusion—peace begins with you

When the students have made their doves, hang up the flock in your classroom or school. Celebrate peace!

Extension—music

You may wish to play some music while students prepare their doves:

Shelley Murley wrote this heart-touching song "Light A Candle For Peace” in 2008. Shelley's daughter recorded the song when she was nine years old.

Une Colombe – Celine Dion

This song is about a dove going on a journey around the world to spread the message of peace, love and friendship. It symbolizes the important role students play in their future of peace on our planet.

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