Shifting towards Presentations

We finally heard back from someone else, and have set up an official presentation date!  We've been working very hard on our kits, but now we're going to shift our focus to getting our presentations ready.  Jillian is working on another podcast, which we hope to share with you all soon.  It seems like we're finally going to start this project rolling!  We're going to be presenting to a group of Daisy Girl Scouts, and we can't wait to teach them all about peace.  Hopefully they will take what they learn and use it in their everyday lives.

~Troop 60435

Activity: Peace Writing Promts

I know writing promts aren't the most exciting activities, but it will have to do. You can comment your piece(s) to this post so that people can see it (if you want to share it).

1) Do you have any personal experiences in which someone said something mean to you and you told them to stop? Or have you stood up to someone for a friend? Describe your experience.

2) Is there any other word you would describe peace as? Explain your answer.

3) Anylyze the word peace. What does it mean? What does it mean to you? Use your own words to describe the word peace.

I will comment my responses soon. But it may take a while, and remember I am not correct. All of these promts have no answer. They all lead into narrative pieces. When you write, just be yourself and don't be afraid to digress. The sky is not the limit. Go into the universe with your writing. Have fun. :) This won't be graded and is totally optional.

~Alison

Assembling The Kits

Today's meeting was pretty much devoted to assembling the necessary materials for our peace kits.  It was an excellent lesson in working together... lots of communication had to happen, to make sure we each knew what the other one was doing!  As of right know, we are working on editing and writing the information that will go into our actual kits.  Trust me, it's a long process.  But all of the information is really meaningful, so it's enjoyable to read.  And it's almost as fun to create pro-peace games as it is to play them!  We have 172 days until our Silver Award is due, so it's crunch time, baby!

~Troop 60435

Newsflash! Anti-Bullying Day

Every year, on the last Wednesday of February, there is an "Anti-Bullying Day" or "Pink Shirt Day" in Canada. You don't have to be Canadian to participate! Today, February 29, is Anti-Bullying Day. Show your love for anti-bullying by wearing a pink shirt or showing peace. For ideas, see our post on ways to show peace activity post, click here.

~Alison

Activity: Repeating Game

So, for this game, all players first sit in a circle. The first person says, "I am going to the store to buy some (then a name of a food)". Then the next person says, "I am going to the store to buy (first person's food) and (their food)" The game keeps adding foods until somebody forgets a food and is "out". Then whoever is out can't talk, but can help their teammates by motioning the food (like if it was ice cream, then the people who are out would be licking the air). Then whoever is left is the winner!

~Alison

All The Pieces Are Finally Coming Together!

So we got our first gig lined up today.  That's right folks, our pro-peace workshop is officially heading out on the road!  We are, as you can probably tell, EXTREMELY excited!  It's so great to finally see all of the pieces of the puzzle, which we've been working so long and hard to assemble, start to come together!  We bought all of the materials needed for our physical kits throughout the past week or so, so now we're really ready to roll!  Silver Award, here we come!

~Troop 60435

Activity: Ways to Show Peace (to others)

There are many ways to show peace to others. You can sit next to them at lunch, say hi in the hallways, or just share a smile. These are my top fifteen ways to show peace:
1. Smile :D
2. Introduce yourself if you don't already know them. Be relaxed, and be yourself.
3. Say "Hi." It doesn't matter where - just say hi!
4. Don't cross your arms or shrug, stand tall and you will look more respectful.
5. If somebody looks down, cheer them up!
6. Listen. It is as simple as that. Don't interrupt or argue as much (you can express your opinion, but don't argue).
7. Be optimistic. Who wants an unhappy friend? Every cloud has a silver lining!
8. Manners, manners, manners. Be polite to your friend(s), they with or without knowing, admire your manners.
9. Offer to help with something. Are you in art and you're done? Offer to help with another person's project.
10. Compliment. Who doesn't enjoy a compliment? Do you like his/her backpack? Pen? Top? Complimenting shows that you pay attention.
11. Please don't gossip, backstab, or bully. This is the utmost worst thing you can do to others and yourself. Do you want to be known as the gossip hub?
12. Create conversation. Talk about anything. What is the person carrying? Ask about that. The chances are, they probably want to meet you, too.
13. Don't say anything rude or on-edge. You might insult that person. And don't swear, cuss, or use bad words.
14. Patience is the key. Is the person super-kind of annoying? Just grin and bear through the rest of the conversation. Still be polite.
15. Treat others the way you want to be treated. It's as simple as that.

~Alison

Getting Gigs

Wow, it seems like so long since we've met!  We took a week off last week... we all need a fiesta once in a while!  This week's entire meeting was spent trying to line up possible places to present our project.  We called two people within the hour-and-a-half meeting to try to schedule times to meet and discuss our program.  We struck out in both areas, though; we got voicemails both times, and dialed a wrong number once.  No gigs lined up yet, but we'll keep on trying!  We also changed our blog look once again this meeting.  We got a couple of constructive criticism comments, telling us that our new background wasn't as memorable as our last one.  We agreed, so we reverted back to our old style... hope you all approve!

~Troop 60435

Newsflash! Massachusetts' "Black out Bullying" Day!

Today, Governor Deval Patrick, has assigned as "No Name Calling Day". Students are encouraged to wear black to school today to "black out" bullying. "We need to foster safe environments for students, and 'No Name Calling Day' is an initiative to help raise awareness that bullying should not be tolerated," Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray said. "I hope that on this day and throughout the year, students feel protected and safe in their schools and communities." Students will also sign No Name Calling posters. I know that last year my school did this. To read more, visit Governor Deval Patrick's Black out Bullying Day.

~Alison

Activity: Ways to Show Peace (Pictures)

This week I decided to show different mediums to show peace in. "Medium" is an art term meaning  a substance in which you create art with (those are my own words). Enjoy!

A drawing of peace

Crumpled piece of paper to make peace.

An oil painting

An other oil painting

And a loooooonnnng piece of braided yarn. It took me forever to make!

Reminder: All of these images are our original pieces. We do have a copyright on our blog and all of the images with it. So if you do decide to use our photos, please give us credit. Thanks!
~Alison