Ottawa Treaty Day Is Coming!
So what, you say? Well, the Ottawa Treaty, formally known as the Convention of the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines, offers an absolutely wonderful way for teachers to maintain the momentum toward peace created in many a classroom by Remembrance Day. That momentum can be carried through to the upcoming Christmas season.
If taking action toward achieving the "peace to end all wars" is something a teacher feels is worthwhile for their students to get involved in, then Dec. 3rd will give them the perfect opportunity. If making their students aware of just how blessed they are to live in North America and encouraging them to share their good fortune seems like a good way to spend some time and effort, all any teacher needs to do to access a wealth of ideas is follow this link.
The above link will take you to the Canadian Landmine Foundation's webpage, that invites visitors to "clear a path to a safer world". That slogan can become the banner under which a class works to contribute to the peace everyone thinks so longingly of on Remembrance Day. Don't let that one day be an isolated event, please.
Estimates place the number of landmines in the soil of at least 70 countries at a staggering 45 to 50 million. Those mines maim or kill 10,000 civilians every year. Students can click here to learn more about landmines and the horror they represent. The students' youthful idealism can be a wonderful resource in the fight against the neverending danger. Once they realize, "The landmine is eternally prepared to take victims.", many students will be more than willing to roll up their sleeves and get involved.
The list of activities suggested by the Landmine Foundation includes some terrific ideas. The window display is perfect for art students; writing a drama on the topic will work great for language arts' students and those in performing arts programs. The ideas there might kick-start the imagination of your students and they'll be given honourable mention next year, just like the kids at a Newmarket, Ontario, High School have been for their "Put a Cap on Landmines" idea.
The power of activism is always a good concept to impart to young people. Challenge your class - extend the challenge to the whole school - to write letters to the President of the mighty U. S. of A. They are one of the 40 countries yet to sign the treaty. Your young activists could lend their voices to the chorus of the 154 countries who have signed the treaty.
Starting now would give you and your class more than enough time to do something of lasting value. We all need teachers to get on board with this idea so they can help their class to make the world a better place, indeed. Caring enough to reach out to others is one of the very best examples a teacher can ever set.
If taking action toward achieving the "peace to end all wars" is something a teacher feels is worthwhile for their students to get involved in, then Dec. 3rd will give them the perfect opportunity. If making their students aware of just how blessed they are to live in North America and encouraging them to share their good fortune seems like a good way to spend some time and effort, all any teacher needs to do to access a wealth of ideas is follow this link.
The above link will take you to the Canadian Landmine Foundation's webpage, that invites visitors to "clear a path to a safer world". That slogan can become the banner under which a class works to contribute to the peace everyone thinks so longingly of on Remembrance Day. Don't let that one day be an isolated event, please.
Estimates place the number of landmines in the soil of at least 70 countries at a staggering 45 to 50 million. Those mines maim or kill 10,000 civilians every year. Students can click here to learn more about landmines and the horror they represent. The students' youthful idealism can be a wonderful resource in the fight against the neverending danger. Once they realize, "The landmine is eternally prepared to take victims.", many students will be more than willing to roll up their sleeves and get involved.
The list of activities suggested by the Landmine Foundation includes some terrific ideas. The window display is perfect for art students; writing a drama on the topic will work great for language arts' students and those in performing arts programs. The ideas there might kick-start the imagination of your students and they'll be given honourable mention next year, just like the kids at a Newmarket, Ontario, High School have been for their "Put a Cap on Landmines" idea.
The power of activism is always a good concept to impart to young people. Challenge your class - extend the challenge to the whole school - to write letters to the President of the mighty U. S. of A. They are one of the 40 countries yet to sign the treaty. Your young activists could lend their voices to the chorus of the 154 countries who have signed the treaty.
Starting now would give you and your class more than enough time to do something of lasting value. We all need teachers to get on board with this idea so they can help their class to make the world a better place, indeed. Caring enough to reach out to others is one of the very best examples a teacher can ever set.
1 Comments:
Yes, thank god there was never a war on our soil in modern history. I can't imagine driving by the countryside and see the warning signs to be aware of landmines -- and that's when they are known to be somewhere. What's troubling is that landmines continue to be laid around the world in conflict areas.
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