Whole Class Assemblies

Overview

Assembly 1 Topic: Forces

Summary: The assembly begins with a look at what the word ‘force’ means when applied to our daily lives. We then consider what scientific forces are, ie. pushes or pulls. There follows practical demonstrations and explanations of gravity, up-thrust, friction, and air resistance. The class then perform a short drama/comedy which shows the dramatic effect forces can have, in an adaptation of the ancient legend of Icarus. A prayer closes the assembly.

Assembly 2 Topic: The Circulatory System

Summary: The assembly begins with an aerobics instructor putting a group through its paces, followed by a short presentation on the mechanics of the heart and circulatory system. ‘Scientists’ then demonstrate the journey of blood cells carrying oxygen to, and carbon dioxide away from body parts, in a ‘living model’ made up of children playing these blood cells. Following a lesson in keeping your heart healthy, the connection is made between the heart and love in a short comedy/drama based on the ancient myth of Narcissus and Echo. A prayer closes the assembly.

Assembly 3 Topic: Sound

Summary: The assembly begins with a look at the problems of sharing a house with loud children! This is followed by a short presentation/demonstration on how sound is made at a source and travels via vibrations to the ear. We consider the concepts of blocking sound and echoes. Using tuned and non-tuned instruments the class then demonstrates the principles behind how sound can be altered in terms of pitch and volume (loudness). A short comedy/drama based on the ancient tale King Midas and the Ass’s Ears highlights the fact that not everyone has the same opinion on what is a pleasant sound and what is not! A prayer closes the assembly.

Assembly 4 Topic: Light

Incorporating Diwali. Ideal for performance late October to mid November.

Summary: The assembly begins by considering various sources of light, and how light is important in our daily lives. Following a short lesson about how we see, there is a demonstration of how light can be blocked (forming shadows), or can pass through materials depending on whether they are translucent, transparent or opaque. We move on to look at how light can be reflected and how mirrors are useful in various situations. There follows a short dramatic presentation of the story of Rama and Sita and the origins of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. A prayer closes the assembly.

Assembly 5 Topic: Electricity

Summary: The assembly begins with 3 contestants in a game show pressing buzzers to answer questions. One contestant’s buzzer doesn’t work, and on inspection it is revealed to have an incomplete circuit. With children playing the parts of electrical components there follows a demonstration of how to build a circuit and how to change the component features. We then consider the everyday uses of electricity, our reliance upon it, and how to be safe when using it. Then, having fixed the contestant’s buzzer in the light of the facts learned, the quiz concludes with questions about electricity. A prayer closes the assembly.

Assembly 6 Topic: The Seven Life Processes

Ideal for performance at harvest time.

Summary: To begin with the seven life processes (movement, reproduction, sensitivity, nutrition, excretion, respiration and growth) are looked at in detail, and we consider what it is to alive. The processes of nutrition and growth are then featured in more detail and there follows a short drama presentation about Persephone and Demeter, which tells how the ancient Greeks explained the seasons and the growth and harvest of crops. A prayer closes the assembly.