Ways to get middle school students to begin to think about peace through different media

1. Getting middle school
students to think about peace
through art and music
By Dawn Bartz

2. images (paintings, portraits, photos, sketches…)
nature
songs (lyrics, melody, harmony, voice)
music
heroes/heroic actions
historic events/current events
relationships with others (friends, family)
your imagination
inspiration can be found all around you
Where can inspiration be found?

3. Where can we find symbols of peace?

4. https://www.google.com/maps/views/view/101827834857548459442/gphoto/6051965355908083874?hl=en&gl=us
The United Nations
If you go on this website, you will see an
international symbol of peace and
diplomacy (The United Nations building
located in New York City). Diplomats
from around the world meet here to
discuss major global issues.
Click on the link above and on the picture
for different views of the United Nations.

5. United Nations

6. How can meaning be conveyed through art?

7. http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/our-work/youth-programs/peace-poster-
contest/peace-poster-contest-finalists.php
The Lions Club sponsors an
International Peace
Poster competition each year. The link
below provides photos of some of the
entries from years past.

8. What song lyrics speak about peace?

9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkTQri3a4Gg
The Peace Train, by Cat Stevens

10. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC2waxMJ_5Y
JL
How does John Lennon’s
song “Imagine” convey the
message of peace? What
images come to mind when
you listen to it?
click on image

11. An overarching message, the central idea,
(themes can be found anywhere. For example, writers use them in
literature and poetry, artists may use a theme in a painting or photo,
teachers may use a theme to help explain main events or concepts, a
speaker may use a speech, etc.)
A theme provides a frame around a big idea or it can tie
together smaller ideas.
What is a theme?

12. ● Is there a new way to portray a known symbol?
● Can you address current issues in your work?
● Who is your audience ?
● What is the message you want to convey?
Ideas to keep in mind...