Sorry Day Apology Book
Art can help heal deep, historic wounds. Create a book to show knowledge and feelings about regrets of the past and ways to build a better future.
1. As you study history, you learn about lots of amazing events. You also learn about terrible occurrences with tragic outcomes. Do you think that those facts should be ignored when the studying a country’s history? Why or why not?
2. Not so long ago in Australia, systematic discrimination was practiced upon the Aboriginal people. At one time, the government removed children from their homes to be educated, and some never saw their families again. To learn more about historic events in Australia or elsewhere, do in-depth research.
3. "What can we do now?" you might ask. "I wasn’t there, I didn’t do it." That is true, but it is important to acknowledge that wrongs were committed. How could you try to make amends for things that happened in the past?
4. In Australia, on the same day when the country celebrates its establishment as a nation, January 26, people also acknowledge the pain and suffering that this caused the native people. There are public ceremonies, people may express their sorrow at Web sites, and some people make apology books. These books are a place to write feelings about what happened. They help people remember the past so that history does not repeat itself. Show that you understand historical events, in Australia or any country, by making a book to record information and feelings.
5. Fold a stack of white paper into quarters. Unfold it once, like an open book in front of you. With Crayola® Scissors, cut out a piece of fun foam a bit larger all around than the book pages.
6. To bind the pages together at the center fold, ask an adult to help you use a large yarn needle. Poke five holes down the spine of the fold. With sturdy thread, sew the pages together. Come up through the bottom hole and leave a tail of thread dangling. Go down through the next hole and come up into the center hole. Go down the fourth and up through the top hole. Reverse your direction going down the up holes and up the down holes. Notice that you are making a solid line of thread along the book’s center spine. Leave another long tail of thread at the bottom. Knot the beginning and end of the thread.
7. Cut open the folds along the top of the pages to create separate pages. Close the pages to form a book.
8. To make the book’s sturdy cover, spread the top first page with Crayola School Glue. Stick it to the open piece of fun foam. Smooth out any bubbles. Open the book and glue the last page to the foam. Make sure the book can be closed with ease and that the pages lie flat when open or closed. Air dry the book flat.
9. Think about historical episodes that you have learned about and that you never want to occur again. How can you visually depict that on the cover of your book? Draw the cover with Crayola Oil Pastels. As you draw, blend and smooth the pastels with paper towels.
10. Inside, use Crayola Erasable Colored Pencils to write and illustrate historic facts. For highlights on your drawings, erase small sections. Include your personal apology for any hurt and harm. How can people make new beginnings that promote harmony and justice?
Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project. Observe children closely and intervene as necessary to prevent potential safety problems and ensure appropriate use of arts and crafts materials. Some craft items, particularly beads and buttons, are potential choking hazards for young children. Avoid use of such small parts with children younger than 3 years. Craft items such as scissors, push pins and chenille sticks may have sharp points or edges. Avoid use of materials with sharp points by children younger than 4 years. Read all manufacturers' safety warnings before using arts and craft supplies.
Adult Assistance is required for this arts & crafts project.
Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.
Sponges and Foam—Sponges, foam, and other expandable materials should not be used with children 3 years old and younger.
String-Like Materials—Includes string, raffia, lacing, yarn, ribbon, and other similar material. Children 3 years and younger should not be given any string-like material that is longer than 12 inches. Close adult supervision is essential whenever children use string-like material. When crafts are to be worn around the necks of children 8 years and younger, attach the ends of the “string-like material” with clear adhesive tape, which allows easy release of the bond if the craft becomes entangled or caught on equipment. For children older than 8 years, the ends of the “string-like material” may be tied and knotted.
- In 1998, the Australian government published a report about the forced removal of Aboriginal peoples for 150 years, ending in 1970. It recommended that all Australians express their sorrow and celebrate a beginning of new understanding, presenting the notion of "walking together." Sorry Day is held on May 26 in Australia. How is it observed? What other governments or religions that have taken similar steps to acknowledge unfair policies and practices?
- The discipline of apology is a part of various cultures and religions around the world. Study its role in Japanese culture as well as in Judaism and Christianity.
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