Rhythms of Peace Viewer's Guide Ideas for Parents How can you help your children learn to get along with others? What can you do to teach your child how to handle conflict? How does your son or daughter learn to cooperate with others? Television shows, movies, and videos often show violent ways of responding to the world. These stories will give your child a different way to think about responding to situations at school and at home. They include themes of revenge, prejudice, war toys, and the power of love. How to Use the Video at Home Your child will learn something positive from watching this video alone, but using the study questions to talk about the ideas with your child, will be even more helpful. You will probably want to watch the video from beginning to end; however if you want to talk about the ideas in the video, we recommend that you watch it with your child, one story at a time. Use the discussion questions to talk about each story before going on to the next one. An activity is suggested for each story. Encourage your children to work together on the project or do the activity with them. An Eye for an Eye Focus Can we respond to violence with nonviolent acts of loving and caring? Is an eye for an eye the best way to respond to experiences? Story "An Eye for an Eye" is a music story based on Martin Luther King Jr.'s comment that "an eye for an eye leaves everyone blind." The song explores what would happen if we really took "an arm for an arm," "an ear for an ear," etc. Talk Together 1. Is an "eye for an eye" a good way to respond to someone who hurts you? Does it resolve problems? 2. What were the results of "an ear for an ear," "a foot for a foot," etc.? Do these things really happen? Why do you think the story ends with "a hug for a hug?" 3. What are some ways you can think of to respond to a situation of conflict without getting even? 4. The song ends with "a nuke for a nuke leaves everyone dead." What does this mean? How does this ending make you feel? Activity Make a collage of magazine pictures showing people who have responded to conflict with "an eye for an eye" and people who have responded to conflict with love. Tea for Everyone Focus When we ignore someone because of the clothes they wear, the way they talk, or the color of their skin, we miss the chance to be friends with people who are different from ourselves. We can learn to appreciate the things that make us different from each other. Story "Tea for Everyone" is a story about Margaret and her grandmother who drink black tea; Suzy, however, is a green-tea drinker; and Tom only likes iced tea. Even though the children play together at school, they never get together after school because of their differences. A mix up at the tea store results in Margaret and her grandmother trying green tea, and then inviting Suzy and Tom for a tea party. Talk Together 1. Do you have friends who eat different foods than your family eats? Have you ever tried their food? What did you think? 2. Have you ever been called a name, felt like others think you're weird, or felt left out of a group because of something you eat, drink, wear or the way you look? What does it feel like? How can you keep from doing the same things to other people? 3. Is there anybody at school or in your neighborhood who you haven't tried to get to know because they seem "different?" How can you be a friend to that person? Activity Check out the book, The Greatest Table, from the library. (Michael Rosen, Harcourt Brace & Co., 1994) Make your own accordion book like The Greatest Table. Rhythm Makers Focus Playing with toys and games in which you pretend you're hurting people can affect the way you treat others. Story "Rhythm Makers" is a story of rhythms and few words. A child playing a drum is interrupted by another child playing with a war toy. Mr. Fredd offers another rhythm instrument and the children play together. This continues until a complete rhythm band is in full swing, each war toy replaced by an instrument. Talk Together 1. Mr. Fredd talks about the rhythms in his day. What are the things you do each day that create rhythms? 2. What toys do you have or what games do you play that make you a more peaceful person? Which ones help you get along with your brothers, sisters, or friends better? Which ones make you tense or angry? Which ones make you mad or make you feel as though you want to hurt someone? Activity Make your own rhythm instruments. Use a coffee can with lid for drum; two paper plates stapled together with beans in the middle for a tambourine; etc. Invite in some friends for a rhythm band party. The Sun and the Wind Focus Love and kindness are stronger than forcefulness and hatred. Story The sun and the wind have an argument over which is stronger. They have a contest to see who can make a girl take off her coat. Talk Together 1. Mr. Fredd asks what the most powerful force is on earth. After watching the video, what do you think the most powerful force is? 2. What feelings and behaviors did you see in this story? 3. Were both the sun and the wind using force of some kind? Is force ever OK? 4. Is force always physical? If not, what are other ways in which force is used to try to resolve a conflict or change behavior? Is yelling at someone or ignoring them examples of using force? Activity Look in the newspaper for examples of force and gentleness. Cut out headlines and paste them under two columns: force and gentleness or love and hate.