As part of our Grace and Courtesy Curriculum, at the beginning of each school year, we present the Peace Table.
![My Own Montessori The Peace Table](https://myownmontessori.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/My-Own-Montessori-The-Peace-Table.jpg)
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.
![My Own Montessori The Peace Table encouraging gestures](https://myownmontessori.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/My-Own-Montessori-The-Peace-Table-encouraging-gestures.jpg)
First, we light the electric candle.
![My Own Montessori The Peace Table lighting candles](https://myownmontessori.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/My-Own-Montessori-The-Peace-Table-lighting-candles.jpg)
Then, we sound the singing bowl, and listen very carefully until we cannot hear its sound any longer.
![My Own Montessori The Peace Table singing bowls](https://myownmontessori.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/My-Own-Montessori-The-Peace-Table-singing-bowls.jpg)
Then, we sound the singing bowl, and listen very carefully until we cannot hear its sound any longer.
![My Own Montessori The Peace Table labyrinth](https://myownmontessori.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/My-Own-Montessori-The-Peace-Table-labyrinth.jpg)
We flip the sand picture and watch as the sand grains trickle down creating a new piece of art each time.
![My Own Montessori The Peace Table sand art](https://myownmontessori.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/My-Own-Montessori-The-Peace-Table-sand-art.jpg)
We hold the beautiful smooth rocks in our hands or lay them on the table and create a design.
![My Own Montessori The Peace Table rock art](https://myownmontessori.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/My-Own-Montessori-The-Peace-Table-rock-art.jpg)
The colorful pinwheel helps us practice our breathing by blowing on it and making it spin.
![My Own Montessori The Peace Table breathing](https://myownmontessori.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/My-Own-Montessori-The-Peace-Table-breathing.jpg)
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.
![My Own Montessori Preschool Oakland Rockridge Berkeley Logo](https://myownmontessori.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/My-Own-Montessori-Preschool-Oakland-Rockridge-Berkeley-Logo.png)
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