At The Lake and Park School, we approach learning through thematic study, where learning comes to life through deep explorations of meaningful topics. Most recently, we’ve been learning about peace, with an intentional focus on two towering historical figures: Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Through their lived experiences, our community has been exploring what it means to take part in creating a peaceful world, how we can practice peace in our daily lives, and why we honor people like Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as changemakers.
When we first posed the question, “What does peace mean to you?”, a common theme emerged: peace is about being kind and leading with compassion. In a literal sense, when asked, “What does peace look like?”, problem-solving and taking a stand when something doesn’t feel right came to mind. Through peer discussion and personal reflection, our students recognized how often peace lives in the people we know and love. We asked our North Room students to think about the people who inspire them and serve as role models in their life. The role models chosen for their collage portrait project ranged. Some students wrote about J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Hobbit, while others wrote about a role model close to home, like a sibling or parent. As North Room students wrote narratives about their role models, the different ways peace can manifest became increasingly clear. Whether the role model is globally recognized or quietly leads in the daily life of the student who chose them, the North Room not only deepened their understanding of peace but have also been inspired to live it out in ways that matter most to them.
The theme of peace also led to a deep dive into Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., both catalysts for non-violent social change. Downstairs, the academics collaged a combination of both words and pictures of MLK and Gandhi. Their work showcases the most important things to remember about these leaders.
In the Big Room, we introduced our students to other changemakers, across a range of causes and histories, who have also fought for change rooted in peace. To name a few, students have learned about Ruby Bridges, Amelia Earhart, and Jackie Robinson. Some changemakers have become the focus of Lit Groups (teacher led reading groups). Our students are in the process of researching and designed their culminating research project, with both a tactile and written component, that center around their chosen changemaker. The project encourages students to think beyond traditional notions of heroism, illuminating what it truly takes to enact change in the face of injustice.
Finally, across both floors, the downstairs and upstairs, have made mandalas. In Sanskrit, mandala translates to “sacred center” or “circle.” Represented most often in Hindu and Buddhist culture, the geometric symbol has become a symbol of unity. Across all rooms, our beginners, Big Roomers, and North Roomers have made mandalas that now hang beautifully against the classroom windows. As we continue the year with our next thematic study, we encourage our larger Lake and Park community to come see these powerful projects.
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