URI Kids - Activities
URI Kids - Activities
Songs and Music:
There'll Be Peace
Objective:
To provide an uplifting ending lesson for a comparative religions study or a
good stand alone lesson to inspire students to work for world peace and healing.
To help students see the connection between the need for peoples of various
religions to have respect for one another and peace in the world.
Materials:
Music and lyrics for There'll Be Peace, a guitar and/or a piano
Lesson:
Teach students the song, There'll Be Peace.
Have students imagine and discuss what it would look and feel like if there were
peace among the nations.
Why does the song say there will be peace among the nations when the faiths
become united? Discuss examples of times when religion has led to or contributed
to conflict. What would have to be different for religious conflicts to be
avoided?
Do you think that the person who wrote this song meant that religions should be
united to make one religion or that they should be united around shared values?
What words in the song lead you to the answer to this question. (When faiths
become united, in love and respect, and we care about each other, no matter what
the sect.)
What needs to be healed on earth?
Ask students to explore how they might be a part of helping faiths become united
and/or healing the earth. Be sure to emphasize "one small step at a time."
Individual growth in terms of learning to respect and appreciate others who are
different from them is a very important step. If it is appropriate, this might
be a good time to introduce students to interfaith work in your area, resources
available from the United Religions Initiative (www.uri.org).
Follow-up/Assessment:
Sing the song as part of a ceremony or special occasion. Have students write
about their vision of a peaceful world. This could be done as poems or song
lyrics or entries in learning logs or journals.