Talking Kites Around the World
March 21, 2007

About the Project      In February the sixth graders and kindergarteners participated in iEARN's (The International Education and Resource Network)Talking Kites Around the World Project. The focus of the project was on our dreams for a better world, a world of co-existence, acceptance of the "other" and peace. On March 21, 2007, the students flew kites, which they made and decorated with words and images of a better world.

Beginning the Project Learn more about this book on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Emperor-Kite-Jane-Yolen/dp/0399214992      In the library, Mrs. Owens read the picture book The Emperor and the Kite by Jane Yolen and discussed the story with the sixth graders.	Writing Poems      In preparation for writing poems on peace/war, spring/kite flying, Ms. Baru and Mrs. Owens led students to brainstorm associations they had with these terms. The brainstorming prompted discussion on these terms. After some review of different forms of poetry, each student chose at least one form and wrote at least one poem. In the spirit of collaboration, the sixth graders posted their poems on the Talking Kites Online Forum. Here's one example. Peace Acrostic by Eleanor People hand in hand Everyone accepted for who they are on the inside A world free from pain and suffering Color and life all around Equality and opportunity for all Click here to read more poems.
Sixth Graders with Kindergarten Buddies in the Art Room      The kindergarteners also were involved in the Talking Kite project. In conjunction with a study related to Earth Day, kindergartners with the help of the sixth graders decorated kites with magazine and newspaper pictures during their art class with Ms. Valentine.
Sixth Graders Explore the Peace Fountain      The sixth graders went on a scavenger hunt at the Peace Fountain (A View on Cities: scroll to bottom of page to see a blurb on the fountain.http://www.aviewoncities.com/nyc/cathedralstjohndivine.htm) and learned about how the fountain was made and what it symbolizes. Did you know that the fountain is dedicated to the Children of the Earth? (A View on Cities: scroll to bottom of page to see a blurb on the fountain.http://www.aviewoncities.com/nyc/cathedralstjohndivine.htm)	Sixth Graders Help Kindergarteners Assemble Kites and Read Together
Kite Flying Day, March 21, 2007
Flying Our Kites Double-click on the picture to see the video. You must have a quicktime plugin installed on your computer to view this video. To get the plugin, go to http://www.apple.com/quicktime Here we are flying or trying to fly our kites!	At The Reception Double-click on the picture to see the video. You must have a quicktime plugin installed on your computer to view this video.To get the plugin, go to http://www.apple.com/quicktime      Our kite flying event included special guest Ruty Hotzen, Talking Kites Project Facilitator from Israel. After the kite flying, Ruty addressed the sixth graders. Unfortunately in this video clip it is difficult to hear the audio. She explained the history of the project and announced other iEARN schools around the globe also flying kites for peace. The sixth graders also met and flew kites with PEARL World Youth News Reporters - iEARN's high school journalism project - from Ireland, Vietnam, UK, Uzbekistan and Pakistan visiting NYC for the Channel 13 Celebration of Teaching and Learning Conference.