Study Guide for Grades K-3
Visit our website at maryknollmagazine.org • January 2017
PRAYER:
Please, Jesus, help anyone who is living where there is a war. Help us to learn how
to be peacemakers with our family, friends and classmates. Amen.
HOMEWORK:
DEAR TEACHER, The following study guide has been designed to help you present in an
age-appropriate way material in the stories “Becoming artisans of peace” on pages 12–19
and “Recommitting to Gospel nonviolence” on pages 20–21 in the January/February 2017
MARYKNOLL magazine. Often children in our culture see war as something fought by superheroes in an animated setting, with “the good guys” winning and a minimum of damage
to everyone. While it is important not to frighten students, they need to see that war hurts
people, and showing them compassion and prayer amid conlicts can help them become
peacemakers. Though the youngest students cannot read the magazine, encourage them
to look at the picture on pages 12–13 and bring home the magazine and do the homework
assignment with their parents.
NOTE: For additional mission education resources, visit MaryknollSociety.org/Teachers
Like us on Facebook facebook.com/Maryknoll.MEP.West
AIM OF THIS LESSON: To encourage students to be peacemakers by presenting Pope John
Paul II as a role model.
Your child learned about Pope John Paul II who, as a young man, lived through World
War II and as pope worked to bring about worldwide peace. With your child, read these
examples. Together come up with a solution that is peaceful.
Jen and Rosie both wanted to use the hot glue gun for a project. Mom said they couldn’t
use it at the same time, taking short turns, because handing the hot glue gun back and
forth was dangerous.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Elliot heard two of his classmates yelling at each other. They called each other hurtful
names. Then one stomped away. Elliot saw that the other child was crying. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Elena’s little brother had been bothering her all afternoon. He took her markers, chewed
gum loudly and kept telling silly jokes. She just wanted to hit him! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Consider buying or borrowing from the library the following books for children
 The Story of Saint John Paul II: A Boy Who Became Pope by Fabiola Garza (ages 6–9).
 Karol, the Boy Who Became Pope: A Story about Saint John Paul II by Jem Sullivan and illustrated
by William J. Maloney (ages 5–10).
Children and their families run away from war in Iraq.
4
To download the lesson plan, visit maryknollmagazine.org
Photo credit: CNS/R. Said, Reuters/Iraq
1
ACTIVITY:
STORY (TEACHER READS ALOUD):
Color the picture of Pope John Paul II. Then draw a picture of you making peace.
L
ong ago in Poland, a boy named Karol
Karol could feel God was calling him to become
Wojtyla (pronounced voy-TIH-wah) was
a priest.
growing up. Karol loved soccer. He also loved
to read and put on plays. Outdoors, he swam,
hiked, kayaked and biked.
Finally, the war ended. Millions of people had
died. Those who lived were sick, hungry and
homeless. Many buildings were destroyed.
In college, he studied many subjects, including
nine languages. Like other young men in
Poland, he had to go through military training.
Karol refused to shoot a gun or even hold one.
He did not like guns.
But a big war, called World War II, was starting.
Now soldiers roamed the streets. Schools were
shut down. People were told that studying and
praying would not be allowed. There was not
enough food so people were hungry. There was
not enough heat for houses, so people were
cold. And they were frightened of the soldiers.
Karol could see how war made everything
wrong. He helped others when he could. He
and a group of people met to pray together.
They had to be careful the soldiers did not ind
Slowly life got better for everyone. Karol was able
to study and become a priest, and then a bishop.
Eventually, he was chosen to become the pope.
He took a new name: Pope John Paul II.
He had wonderful and exciting places to see,
and good work to do. But he never forgot what
war was like. Whenever a war started somewhere
in the world, he would give a speech about war
being wrong. He encouraged people to try to
work out everything with words and kindness.
One January day, he gave a speech and said,
“It is my hope that all children of the world will
be able to begin a new year in happiness and
to enjoy a peaceful childhood, with the help of
good adults.”
them. But when he prayed with others, Karol felt
like they were one family.
DISCUSS:
Look at the picture on pages 12–13 of people running away from war.
War makes people sad. Sometimes we make war with our classmates.
What are three ways we can make peace in our classroom?
2
3