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Basic 4 · Our World and Our People · Myself

Living in Harmony

In this topic you will give reasons why we should live in harmony as responsible citizens.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Explain harmony
  • Give reasons for living in harmony
  • Describe ways to settle conflicts peacefully

What you already know

  • Getting along with others

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Strand
All about us
Sub-strand
Myself
Indicator
B4.1.2.1.2 – Mention reasons to live in harmony with one another as a responsible citizen

Introduction

In a harmonious community, neighbours greet each other, share and solve problems peacefully. Everyone feels safe and the community develops.

1. What is Harmony?

Harmony: Living together peacefully and in agreement.

2. Reasons for Living in Harmony

Why harmony matters
ReasonExplanation
peacepeople feel safe
developmentprojects like schools and roads succeed
unitypeople work together
good healthless stress and fighting
respecteveryone's rights are protected

3. Effects of Conflict

  • injuries and loss of life
  • destruction of property
  • people running away from their homes
  • slow development
A peaceful community where neighbours greet, share and work together
Figure 1: A community living in harmony Draw your community living in harmony.Illustration: Sirbus

4. Settling Conflicts Peacefully

  1. Stay calm and avoid violence.
  2. Listen to both sides.
  3. Talk and find a fair solution.
  4. Ask elders, teachers or leaders to help (mediation).
  5. Forgive and move on.

New words

harmony
Living together peacefully.
conflict
A serious disagreement.
citizen
A member of a country.
mediation
Help from a neutral person to settle a conflict.
violence
Using force to hurt people.
development
Growth and progress.

Summary

  • Harmony means living peacefully together.
  • Harmony brings peace, unity and development.
  • Conflict causes injury, destruction and slow development.
  • We settle conflicts by talking, mediation and forgiveness.

Class activity: Peace Role Play

  1. Use the scenario cards to act out a conflict between two neighbours.
  2. Show how an elder mediates.
  3. Discuss what made the solution fair.

You need: Printed Ghanaian family picture cards, Role-play name cards, Manila paper

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. Living together peacefully is…

    • A. Harmony
    • B. Conflict
    • C. Violence
    • D. War
    Show answer
    Answer: HarmonyThat is harmony.

  2. 2. Help from a neutral person to settle a conflict is…

    • A. Mediation
    • B. Violence
    • C. Revenge
    • D. Gossip
    Show answer
    Answer: MediationElders often mediate.

  3. 3. Which is an effect of conflict?

    • A. Destruction of property
    • B. Peace
    • C. Development
    • D. Unity
    Show answer
    Answer: Destruction of propertyConflict causes damage.

  4. 4. Harmony helps a community develop.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TrueProjects succeed in peace.

  5. 5. Violence is a good way to settle conflicts.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: FalseTalking and mediation are better.

  6. 6. A serious disagreement is a ______.

    Show answer
    Answer: conflictThat is a conflict.

  7. 7. Give two reasons for living in harmony.

    Show answer
    Answer: Any two: peace, development, unity, good health, respect.Harmony benefits all.

  8. 8. Describe how you would settle a quarrel between two classmates.

    Show answer
    Answer: Stay calm, listen to both, help them talk and agree, involve the teacher if needed, encourage forgiveness.Peaceful steps.

Homework

  1. Ask an elder how conflicts are settled in your community.