Introduction:

This is an activity that Lin K., JCC New Orleans preschool teacher, does with her students in preparation for Yom Kippur.

Materials

• One large sheet of poster board
• paint (Tempera, finger paint, acrylic, etc.) or crayons.

Directions:

1. Draw a large circle onto the poster board, leaving enough space on the outside of the circle for students to put their hand prints.
    
2. Have students make hand prints along the outside border of the circle. Lin suggests painting the underside of each student's hand and having the students' press their hands along the outside of the circle. Another option is to pour paint onto a cookie sheet, pie tin or styrofoam meat tray and have students press a hand into the paint and then press it on the paper. A less messy option is to have students place their hands along the outside of the circle and to trace an outline around each hand.
    
3. Write each student's name by his/her hand. If tracing the students' hands, have each student color in his/her hand and then write his/her name in the hand.
    
4. Sit in a circle and have students brainstorm ideas for keeping peace in the classroom. Write the suggestions inside the "circle of peace".
    
5. Hang the "circle of peace" in the classroom throughout the school year.