The Peace Table

As part of our Grace and Courtesy Curriculum, at the beginning of each school year, we present the Peace Table.

After having a group discussion on what peace means and how we strive each day to maintain peace both in our body and mind, I read a recitation called ‘I Offer You Peace’ – a recitation with gestures for children, illustrated by Joe Servello, published by Parent Child Press, PO Box 675, Hollidaysburg PA 16648.

As I read the book, I show the gestures and the children do the actions and say the words in chorus. Then I introduce each object at our Peace Table, and show the children how they can engage with them.

First, we light the electric candle.

Then, we sound the singing bowl, and listen very carefully until we cannot hear its sound any longer.

Then, we sound the singing bowl, and listen very carefully until we cannot hear its sound any longer.

We flip the sand picture and watch as the sand grains trickle down creating a new piece of art each time.

We hold the beautiful smooth rocks in our hands or lay them on the table and create a design.

The colorful pinwheel helps us practice our breathing by blowing on it and making it spin.

The Peace Table is an important part of our classroom and daily routine. Whether it is after a busy gross motor play outside, before or after a long work of concentration, or our body and mind just needing some peace and quiet, the children may use the peace table at any time. And when we see a friend at the Peace Table, the rest of us know not to disturb them – that friend is practicing PEACE.