Activities for Ages: 5-12
Anticipatory set: Students sit on edges of square sheets of paper placed on the floor. Teacher plays name game with students.
Part 1:
Teacher discusses what a mural is, explains the mural-making process, and shows examples of murals. Teacher describes the class agenda and the theme of the mural.
Students are asked questions:
- Can any one tell me what the word “violence” means?
- How could we define it in one sentence?
- Have you ever been in a fight?
- Have you ever fought with a friend?
- What does it feel like to fight with a friend?
- How was the fight started?
- How did the fight end?
Part 2:
Teacher reads The Little Bear and the Big Fight by Jutta Langreuter and Vera Sobat
Students are asked questions:
- How could the bears have avoided fighting?
- What ended the bears’ fight? How can you end a fight?
- Have you ever avoided a fight?
- What did you do? What didn’t you do?
- Is it hard to say you’re sorry? Why or why not?
- What does it feel like when you make up with a friend after a fight?
- How does it feel to do and receive good deeds?
- What does it mean to be nonviolent?
Part 3:
Students are to imagine themselves in a happy place.
Students are asked questions:
- Where are you?
- How do you feel about yourself?
- If you like yourself wouldn’t it be unlikely that you would be in the mood to fight?
- What makes you happy?
- What can you think about or tell yourself when someone tries to start a fight with you?
Part 4:
Students make a large paper mural on white butcher paper, drawing things that make them happy, that would be part of a nonviolent world. They share markers and space and are reminded that at times they may make mistakes, but that making mistakes is natural, and that all they need to do is say they are sorry.
Part 5:
Students evaluate their work.
Students are asked questions.
- What are their favorite parts of the mural?
- What were the hardest parts of working together?
- What did they learn today?