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non-violent solutions nationally and within the school system. "

An approved charity under Sections 12 (h) and 13 (1) (q) of The
Income Tax Act –
Donations are tax deductible.
Box 40, 7 North Street, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies
Telephone: 922-3400-9
E-mail: palsjamaica@gmail.com

PEACE DAY 2023

Theme: “Be the Peace”

Theme Song: “Give Peace a Chance” – by Paul Blake and Friends

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2PJF7Ke9JE

Prayer: Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: O divine Master,

Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to
Where there is injury, pardon; console
Where there is doubt, faith; To be understood as to understand
Where there is despair, hope To be loved as to love.
Where there is darkness, light; For it is in giving that we receive
Where there is sadness, joy It in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.

Scripture Reading:
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. (Romans 14:19 NIV)
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. (Psalms 34:14 NIV) If it is possible, as far as it depends on
you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12: 18 NIV) Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their
work. Live in peace with each other. (Thessalonians 5:13 NIV) Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace
at all times and in every way. (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

THE MESSAGE
Today, we are going to learn from the trees how we can “Be the Peace”.

What do we see when we look at a tree?

We see that a tree stands tall, but how does a tree grow?

A tree starts as a seed. Then it grows into a sprout, then into a sapling, then into a mature tree. As the tree
grows, its roots go deep into the ground, or sometimes underwater, to enable the tree to stand tall.

The tree’s roots carry water and nutrients from the soil through the trunk and branches to the leaves. Trees also
need two substances called carbon dioxide and oxygen as well as sunlight to grow.

When we decide that we are going to be a peacemaker, we, too, start out like a tree. The seed stage is when we
learn to be the peace in our situations of conflict at home and at school and anywhere we may be. We learn to
solve conflicts peacefully.

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The peacemaker’s roots are knowing what is wrong and what is right, and these roots grow stronger and
stronger as we practise what is right.

Then we stand as solid as the trunk of a tree when we encourage others to choose peace and not negative
behaviours such as fighting, kicking, cursing, and calling people names as these behaviours will not only hurt
others but will also hurt them.

Like the leaves of a tree, which are green most of the time but can come in many colours, shapes, and sizes, we
at this school are of different colours, shapes, and sizes and will each have our own ways of being the peace and
showing others how to be the peace.

Do you remember that the tree needed to feed on nutrients to grow? To “Be the Peace”, peacemakers also
have to feed on nutrients. Peacemakers feed on what is true, what is noble, and what is kind. Peacemakers do
not feed on poisonous food like disrespect and disregard for others.

Trees welcome the birds; trees shade us from the heat of the Sun. Peacemakers also should be welcoming to
others by being kind and by being someone that others want to be around because they are respectful, calm,
and kind and find positive ways to deal with conflict, and because they show how to “Be the Peace”. Even when
a peacemaker meets people who laugh at them because they show others how to “Be the Peace”, peacemakers
can be strong like a tree that survives a storm, a drought, and a fire and continue to demonstrate that they can
be the peace.

Let’s all “Be the Peace”, starting today!

__________________________

Play the first verse and the chorus of “The Tree Song” for your students.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxEeRz9AI1w

“The Tree Song” Chorus:

I saw a tree by the riverside
One day as I walked along.
Straight as an arrow and pointing to the sky growing
tall and strong
How do you grow so tall and strong? I said to the
riverside tree,
This is the song that my tree friend sang to me.
I’ve got roots going down to the water,
I’ve got leaves growing up to the sunshine
And the fruit that I bear is a sign of life in me
I am shade from the hot summer sundown,
I am nest for the birds of the heaven
I’m becoming what the Lord of trees has meant me to
be …
A strong, strong tree.

ACTIVITIES
The “Be the Peace” Peace Tree

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  Have students draw trees and write peace values, for example, respect, kindness, non-violence,
empathy, caring, and love on the tree. They can also make up slogans like “Be the Peace,” “No
Violence”, “Choose Peace”, and “Peace is Possible”. See Trees #1 and #2. Make sure to add roots.
 Craft. Have students create their tree by using different materials – cotton, cartridge paper, paints,
paper towel tube, glue, crocus bag. See Tree #3.
 Have students create a tree similar to the tree that is used for strategic planning. See Tree #4 below.
Have the students write peace values and peace slogans instead. Make sure the roots are added.
 Create a big tree in an area of the school – or in more than one area - or in the classroom. Place peace
values and slogans at the roots and hang them from the branches. See Tree #5.

Tree #5

Tree #2 Tree #4
Tree #1 Tree #3
Jamaican trees. Students can celebrate Jamaica’s trees by drawing and filling in peace values
and slogans on any or all of the following trees: i) the Lignum Vitae – the strongest tree; ii) the Silk
Cotton tree – the largest tree; iii) the Blue Mahoe - the national tree; iv) the coconut tree.

“Be the Peace” Conversation

Start the day by talking to your students about peace. Invite their responses to questions such as, What does
peace look like? Why is peace important? How can you be a peacemaker? What does “Be the Peace” mean? You
could also sustain the conversation for a week by taking a question each day, adding your own questions.

“Be the Peace” Role Plays

 Have students do role plays that show how NOT to “Be the Peace” and then the “Be the Peace” version
of the same situation.
 Have students commit to three “Be the Peace” behaviours that they will use in class, outside of the
classroom, and at home. Have them role-play those behavaiours in those settings.

“The Tree Song”

Have students learn the first verse and chorus of The Tree Song. See above for the lyrics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxEeRz9AI1w

“Be the Peace” Pinwheels

 See https://www.firstpalette.com/craft/pinwheel.html for guidance in making pinwheels.
 Ask students to brainstorm words and images that can be used to decorate the pinwheels that represent
peace.
 Have the students write peace values and peace slogans on the pinwheel.
 Students can “plant” their pinwheels outside. See below.

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 Peace Spinwheel Game

Say what peace

 See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1pPARZdG9o for
What does
peace sound
feels like. guidance in making a spinwheel.
like?  Paper plates may be used.
One way to  Have students make a spinwheel, writing in peace-
One way to avoid show respect.
violent behaviour.
building behaviours in each segment of the wheel. Some
suggestions have been given here.
 Have them play the game – A student spins the wheel.
When the wheel stops spinning, the student must do the activity on
One way to which the spinner has landed.
solve a conflict
peacefully.

“Be the Peace” Posters

Have students create posters illustrating the theme.

“Be the Peace” Rap

Have students compose a “Be the Peace” rap song.

Peace Day Creative Writing

Set out below are some writing prompts for your students. The students may work individually, in pairs, in
groups, or even as a whole class. Make the activity age appropriate.
 What makes you feel peaceful?
 Why is it important to have Peace Day?
 Write a poem about what it sounds like, feels like, and looks like to be peaceful.
 How can we teach people to be peaceful.
 Describe peace in five words.