What Brings You Peace?

My second grade POP students did an excellent job answering this question as a Pedagogy of Photography project through personal props, creative writing, family interviews and art. I am so proud of their ability to profoundly express their individual realities and interpretations of peace, here in the South Bronx.

My Secret

My Secret

Shhhh
Shhhhhhhh
Shhhhhhhhhhh

The boy putting his finger on his lip

My heart told me a secret
It makes me shy
The peace I have is my secret
I can't tell anyone

1938-2007

Shhhhh
Shhhhhhh
Shhhhhhhhh


Julian

Rover the Rugged Jeep of the Sahara Desert

My dad's wagner jeep brings me peace
because it carries me around the world
and it's really old.
My dad I named it Rover the Rugged Jeep of the Sahara Deserrt.
We called it Sahara because when we came up with the name
it was really hot.

My Pillow

P
I
L
L
O
W

It brings me Peace because it feels soft and comfortable.
It helps me sleep well.
It protects me from the sun when I hide under the pillow.
I always make forts with big pillows
and with little pillows.
My Dad plays with me inside the fort.

Thomas

Thomas is my good useful engine.
He is great!
He is all over the place!
Thomas gives me peace because I really love trains.
Thomas is my favorite train!
Thomas takes me places in my dreams.
I see lots of poor people asking for stuff.
I love them.
When I grow up I want to get money
And give them to old and poor people.

Shamar

The NYC Blackout

The NYC Blackout was scary but fun.
I skated with my sister.
"It was in 2003."
We went to buy some juices, chips, water, and sandwiches.

It gave me peace because it makes me remember my family.
There was no noise.
We couldn't watch T.V. or turn on the light.
I was 6 years old when the blackout started.

Have you ever seen a blackout before?
The blackout was fun.
We used candlelight rings.
It was fun because we get to say outside
All night.

Joanne

My Puzzle

My Puzzle give me Peace
because my Mom's Dad give it to me
when he moved and he came up to see me.
I miss him because we can't know where he lives.
My Mom doesn't see him anymore.

Fatimah

Fashion

Fashion is peace to me.
Fashion is tight.
I love shoes.
Clip Clop
Clip Clop
Some high
Some low
I love sandals
I am a size four.
Red, Blue, Light Blue, Green,
A Rainbow of shoes.
I look in the mirror.
Hot?
Boring?
Kind of good!
Oh Yeah
Oh Yeah
Oh Yeah

Jon 'Renee

The Cross

The Cross brings me Peace.
It brings me Peace because
I love God and he takes care of me.
Why is God always watching us?

Amber

My Hero

My Dad's friend was important for me and my Dad.
He came from Ecuador.
He took care of my Father.
My Father took care of him.
He died by getting shot by bad guys.
My Dad and I cried like babies.
We were weak without him.
He was peaceful and my hero.

Erny

Superman

Superman is peace because he saved the world.
Superman is cool.
Superman is good versus evil.
He gets his power from the sun
and his weakness from Kryptonite.
I think Superman is going to win.
Go Superman
Go Superman
Go!

Sir-Ron

A Flower

A flower brings me peace
because flowers give you oxygen.
Sometimes when flowers die,
Some people die too.

Sharlene

My Granny

My Granny is like the sky
She's confident.
My Granny's like the roaring waters
My Granny is like me.
My Granny gives me Peace every day

Jaquon

Santa

" Santa, peaceful and quiet after
Christmas and on his way back
to the North Pole. Glad it's over!"

Santa is like peace to me because a lot of people thing that he is not real.
Do you think peace is real?
If you do text www.peace.com

I think peace could be real when you don't go to war.

Kishon

Dancing, Singing, Rapping

Peace means to me Dancing, Singing and Rapping
because I like to do those things with my sister.
It is hard to do. I practice everyday.

"You lie in my way
When skies are grey
You make me think
Everything is OKAY

OKAY
OKAY
OKAY"

Do you like it?
I hear you clapping!
This makes me feel
EMOTIONAL

James

My Earrings

My Earrings bring me peace because my mom gave them to me for Christmas.
My mom said to keep them on my ears for it she goes somewhere
I could just take them off and hold them tight.

Cassie

That Book

That Book brings me Peace because it shows Angels in the book
And they show dog Angels and knights too.
Wait until you see my picture Mom!

Angel

Making Clothes

Making Clothes brings me Peace
because while I am making clothes
I forget I have a mouth
and I don't talk.

Snip Snip Snip
Clothes are
Colorful
Fun
Fabulous

Do you know how to make clothes?

Mia

Flowers That Wish

When you see a wishing flower
It is going to making a wish.
A wish of peace

Pretty
like a rose and a poppy
are so cute.

Sometimes you can sneeze!
But I will always love my wishing flowers.

Last time I saw them it was a million of them.
I Love Flowers!
It is white and fluffy like a star.
When the wind blows!

Sometimes they grow in parks.
You could always spot them.
Sometimes when you put your hand in back
You can still see it.

When you pick it up
The wind will blow it a part.

Flowers!

Jayleen

Rexy My Teddy Bear

Peace is Rexy my Teddy Bear.
When I was three and I was scared
I rubbed teddy bears paw against my cheek because it was comfy.
Rexy made me feel safe and happy.

Elisha

My Uncle Jeff

I go to the grave because I want to pray to my uncle.
To give him a kiss
To say I love him
To say I miss you.
I will give you a letter and some flowers.
And I will always love you.
I will be good in school just for you, Uncle Jeffrey.
Peace

Jedadye