National Science Standard 7... Science and History

Speakers...Joanie Klar Bruce and Woody Vaspra

A Culture of Peace: by David Adams

* instead of enemy images...understanding, tolerance & solidarity
* instead of armaments...disarmament, universal & verifiable
* instead of authoritarian governance...democratic participation
* instead of secrecy and propaganda...the free flow & sharing of information
* instead of violence...dialogue, negotiation, rule of law, active nonviolence
* instead of male domination...the equality of women
* instead of education for war...education for peace
* instead of exploitation of the weak and of the environment Economies of peace with equitable, sustainable development


Essential Questions
1. What is peace? What does peace mean to you?
2. What are some ways you can develop peace in your own life and at home?
3. How can you extend these values to create a peaceful world.

Background: SCIENCE STANDARD 5 - 8
Background: SCIENCE STANDARD 9 - 12

Lesson Plans:

  • Teamwork Towers: Windstar EARTHcamp Curriculum
    Objective: To highlight the concept of teamwork
    Materials: dry spaghetti noodles, 6 gumdrops per group, miniature marshmallows, clipboards or some firm surface for each pair to build on
    Activity:
    · Pair off the students.
    · Give each pair 15 pieces of dry spaghetti, 6 gumdrops and a handful of marshmallows.
    · Tell them to build a tower together, using the materials they have been given, BUT they cannot talk to each other during the building.
    · They can get more marshmallows, but are limited to the spaghetti and gumdrops they have been given.
    · The tower needs to be self-standing when finished.
    · If there is talking, the pair loses a gumdrop.
    · Give them 10 minutes.
    · Announce the winning team.
    Conclusion: Ask them what helped or didn't help them succeed. Lead them to the importance of teamwork…and communication.

  • Point of View….Windstar EARTHcamp Curriculum
    Objective: To demonstrate that the exact same words heard by different people may create entirely different results due to their "point of view."
    Materials: Pieces of 8 ½ x 11 scrap paper, pencils
    Activity: Have the students spread out around the area. Pass out the paper, one to each student.
    Tell them: THERE IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG!
    Then begin by giving these EXACT instructions (say no more than these words):
    · Fold your paper in half.
    · Fold the paper again.
    · Rip a small part off your paper,
    · Shred a corner.
    · Tear the other corner.
    · Fold the corner 2 times.
    · Rip another not-too-large piece off the paper,
    · Unfold your paper and hold it up so everyone can see it.
    Wrap-up: Ask: Why do the papers look different? Didn't everyone get the same directions? Lead a discussion about how sometimes conflicts arise because one person interprets things from one point of view and the other person from a different point of view. What are some things that might affect OUR point of view?


Additional Educator Resources

Videos:
Let Us Begin: What Are We Making Weapons For? available from the Windstar Foundation, this is a 6 minute VHS tape of John Denver and Russian pop singer Sasha Gradsky joining voices in a very powerful version of one of John's clear-sighted insights into the state of the world.

Websites:
John Denver Peace Cloth
Aiki Works
The Carter Center
Peaceful Earth for Youth!
Power and Presence Newsletter of AikiWorks.com
Keeping Peace!

History:
American Peace Movements
by David Adams
Peace History Society
Civil Rights

Songs:
Protest Songs of the 60's and 70's

Journal Topic

The first two lines of John Denver's song, "Healing Time" are taken from the
title of a book by David Brower, "Let the Mountains Talk; Let the Rivers
Run." Who was David Brower? In what ways was he important to the
environmental movement (you should be able to find the answers on the
internet).

Journal Topic

Do you have a peaceful place in nature, either real or imaginary, that you
can visit when you need to be alone with your thoughts and feelings?
Describe that peaceful place. How does it make you feel?

Student Self-Evaluation

1. This speaker emphasized…
2. One fact that surprised me was…
3. I will always remember…
4. The important message I would like to pass on is…

Teacher Evaluation

1. The student used the journal question as a reflection after the program.
2. The student was able to answer the self-evaluation questions.
3.

Healing Time

Let the mountains talk, let the river run
There's a wisdom here, there is much to learn
There's much to know, much to understand
In this healing time all across the land

You have heard my songs, oh so many years
You have laughed with me, washed away my tears
You have shared my joy, you have felt my pain
In this healing time, walk with me again

Through these darker days on this narrow line
Help me find my way, help me see the signs
I'm not afraid, I'm not alone
You have thought me well, you have brought me home

Let the mountain speak, let the rivers run
As the world awakes to the rising sun
In each brand new day, in our own rebirth
In this healing time on our mother earth

Let the mountains talk, let the rivers run
There's a wisdom here, there's so much to learn
In each brand new day, in our own rebirth
In this healing time for our mother earth
In each brand new day, in our own rebirth
In this healing time, here our mother earth

...Lyrics by John Denver


Curriculum Home Page     Symposium Home Page     Windstar Home Page


The suggested links on the curriculum pages have been recommended by professional educators.
Not all of the sites were created by the Windstar Foundation or our 2006 Symposium Speakers.
Please preview the sites to be sure they are appropriate for your students' age and level.

Curriculum written and designed by Debbie Murphy and Barbara Davis