Minute of Silence

Minute
of Silence
A song written for participation in the Annual International
Day of Peace (PEACE DAY) September 21
by Merrill Collins
Spiraling Music, Inc.
www.spiralingmusic.com
Curriculum for teaching ages 3-6

Lesson time: 20-30 minutes depending on age
Suggested # of lessons: 6,
leading up to September 21, 12 noon.
MINUTE OF SILENCE - PAGE 1
Introduction
This is a project designed for youngsters from 3-6, but can be

adapted and applied to any age, with a variable length of lessons
for middle school through adult ages.
Plan your lessons to culminate on September 21st.
If there is a local community celebration, find out how to

participate with the community beyond the classroom.
Additional Resources for Teachers:
http://www.pathwaystopeace.org
http://www.internationaldayofpeace.org
http://www.cultureofpeace.org
http://www.hrea.org/index.php?doc_id=867
Song and curriculum by Merrill Collins • www.spiralingmusic.com

For more information on the International Day of Peace (Peace Day),
annually on September 21, see www.pathwaystopeace.org
Lesson # 1
PROPS: globe, picture of globe; bell
DISCUSSION:
Talk briefly about the International Day of Peace. Option: Invite
a guest to speak with students about participating organizations.
Discuss the observation of 1 minute of silence around the whole
world. Teach students how to count to 10 on their fingers while
maintaining silence. If anyone breaks the silence during 10 seconds,
have the group start over, until the 10 seconds is upheld. The
experience is meant to be a group game.
Assign one child a small bell to ring at the end of 10 seconds, once
the silence is working with the whole group. Let the child with the
bell be the decider.
SING:
Teach the song Minute of Silence; follow it with 10 seconds of
silence counted on the fingers, followed by the sound of the bell if
the silence was successful.
NOTES:

Lesson # 2
PROPS: map or globe showing time zones; bell
DISCUSSION:
Invite students to raise hands to review ideas about the
International Day of Peace, and the ceremony of the “Minute of
Silence” observed around the globe. Look at the globe and discuss
the different time zones. Note how many time zones there are.
Discuss the science behind the time zones; sun rising, earth
turning. Invite sharing about family members living in other time
zones. Example: “When I call my grandmother in New York at 6
p.m. Pacific Standard Time, it is already 9 p.m. Eastern Standard
Time.” Talk about “The Wave” created as each time zone at 12
noon observes the silence around the globe.
REVIEW:
Practice counting to 10 on fingers while being silent, followed by
the ringing of a bell. Assign one child to ring the bell.
ADD ON:
“Today we are going to add 10 more seconds, which will add up to
20 seconds before the bell rings”. Appoint a child to hold up finger
for each count of 10. Count to 10 on fingers twice.
SING:
Practice the song and the 20 seconds of silence followed by the
ringing of the bell.
NOTES:

Lesson # 3
PROPS: globe, 4 bells
DISCUSSION:
Discuss the geographical directions, north, south, east, and west.
Arrange students sitting in a circle, and choose 4 students to
stand outside the circle at positions representing the four
directions. Give a bell to each of the 4 children. If possible, bring
bells from different continents and cultures. For ideas, please
refer to “We Declare!” book featuring “Sounds of the World”
(www.spiralingmusic.com/books.htm).
REVIEW:
Add on: “Today we are going to add on 10 more seconds, to
practice being silent for 30 seconds”. Appoint a child to hold up
finger for each count of 10.
SING:
Sing the song, followed by 30 seconds of silence. Count to 10 on
fingers 3 times, followed by ringing of bells in 4 directions.
NOTES:

Lesson # 4
PROPS: globe, 4 bells,
DISCUSSION:
Invite students to share about their family’s backgrounds
and what countries they have come from. Ask a raise of
hands any children who are bi-lingual or whose families
speak other languages.
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT:
Take Minute of Silence lyrics home; invite family members
who are bi-lingual to translate. Bring translations back to
the class.
REVIEW:
Assign 4 students to the 4 directions, with bells. Assign a
child to hold up one finger for each count of 10.
ADD ON:
“Today we are going to build up to 40 seconds of silence.”
SING:
Begin with 10 seconds silence followed by bells. Repeat
song; follow with 20 seconds, then 30, and then 40.
NOTES:

Lesson # 5
PROPS: globe, 4 bells
DISCUSSION:
Invite students to share any translations they have of the
song lyrics. Read one line at a time and ask the group to
repeat it back. If no other translations are available, use
translations at the back of this book.
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT:
Find or make an instrument that makes sounds when
shaken. Bring to class.
REVIEW:
Try singing the song, echo version, in another language.
Assign 4 students to the 4 directions, with bells. Assign a

child to hold up one finger for each count of 10.
Add on: “Today we are going to build up to 50 seconds of
silence”
SING:
Sing song; follow with 10 seconds and bells. Repeat song;
follow with 20 seconds, then 30, 40, and finally 50.
Remember if the group doesn’t maintain the silence the
count has to start over.
NOTES:

Lesson # 6
to be scheduled for September 21
PROPS: globe, 4 bells, shakers for each child in the circle
DISCUSSION:
Invite students to share about the shaker instruments they
brought and listen to the sounds. Talk about silence and music
being universal languages. Review any collected translations of the
song lyrics. Practice to see if one or more of the verses can be
sung in different verbal languages. (Each group will vary.) Discuss
the concept of “dedicating”.
ADD ON:
“Today we will build up to a minute of silence, and follow it with
celebration. We will dedicate the minute of silence to peace on
earth. Who would like to announce the dedication?” Select a child.
SING:
Sing the song followed by 10, then 20, then 30, then 40, then 50
seconds of silence followed by ringing of bells in the 4 directions.
After the 6th repeat, have the appointed child say: “We dedicate
this minute of silence to peace on earth.” Following the 60
seconds, students can shake their shaker instruments in addition to
the ringing of the bells. Options: play music, all dance.
NOTES:

Minute of Silence, lyrics, English
Minute of silence
Moment of sound
Making a concert
All the earth round
One silence
Made in every nation
One sound
Life in celebration
One day
We all will listen
To peace...........
Lyrics © Merrill Collins 2009

Minuto de Silencio, lyrics, Spanish
Minuto de silencio
Momento de sonido
Hacienda un concierto
Por tado el mundo
Un silencio
En todas naciones
Un sonido
Celebrando vida
Un dia
Escucharemos
A la paz………….

Spanish translation by Andrew J. Baillie

Minute de Silence, lyrics, French
Minute de silence
Puis de la musique
Faisant un concert
Dans le monde entier
Un silence
Dans toutes les nations
De la musique
Pour celebrer la vie
Un jour
Nous ecouterons
La paix…....

French translation by Yvon Chausseblanche

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OBSERVATION OF A
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MINUTE OF SILENCE
FOLLOWED BY
RINGING OF BELLS
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* ECHO VERSION: MELODY REPEATS IN CANON
FOR TEACHING PURPOSES, TEACHER LEADS, CHILDREN ECHO.
Copyright © 2009 Merrill Collins • www.spiralingmusic.com

Written for the celebration of the International Day of Peace • For more information, please go to www.pathwaystopeace.org
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Hritten for the celeJration of the Knternational $a2 of Peace A )or more informationM please go to www.pathwa2stopeace.org
If you enjoyed this project, you might also like:

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Minute

Curriculum for teaching ages 3-6

This is a project designed for youngsters from 3-6, but can be

Plan your lessons to culminate on September 21st.

If there is a local community celebration, find out how to

Additional Resources for Teachers:

Song and curriculum by Merrill Collins • www.spiralingmusic.com

PROPS: globe, picture of globe; bell

Song and curriculum by Merrill Collins • www.spiralingmusic.com

PROPS: map or globe showing time zones; bell

Song and curriculum by Merrill Collins • www.spiralingmusic.com

PROPS: globe, 4 bells

Song and curriculum by Merrill Collins • www.spiralingmusic.com

PROPS: globe, 4 bells,

Song and curriculum by Merrill Collins • www.spiralingmusic.com

PROPS: globe, 4 bells

Assign 4 students to the 4 directions, with bells. Assign a

Song and curriculum by Merrill Collins • www.spiralingmusic.com

PROPS: globe, 4 bells, shakers for each child in the circle

Song and curriculum by Merrill Collins • www.spiralingmusic.com