Amazing Assemblies for Primary Schools

Look Inside

Amazing Assemblies for Primary Schools

25 simple-to-prepare educational assemblies

By: Mike Kent

£19.99

Or purchase digital products from our partners:

Ebook

Qty:

Products specifications

Attribute name	Attribute value
Size:	297 x 210mm
Pages :	60
ISBN :	9781785830693
Format:	Paperback
Published:	April 2016

Primary school assemblies should be exciting and interesting. They should allow children to share in valuable learning experiences. Over his 30 years as a head teacher, Mike Kent has developed amazing assemblies that do just this, and he shares them in this new practical resource.

Amazing Assemblies for Primary Schools consists of twenty-five very special teacher-led assemblies: ideal for teachers, head teachers and, indeed, anyone who is required to lead assemblies. The assemblies have been designed with the busy teacher – or school leader – in mind and are really simple to prepare. The detailed instructions outline the resources and preparation needed. Every assembly is straightforward and uses materials that are readily available in school. You’ll discover how to fascinate a group of children using little more than a pair of scissors and a few sheets of paper.

Just how strong is an eggshell? How can you pick up a bottle without using your hands? How can you make a coin move without touching it? The answers to these questions, and many more, are revealed in this amazing resource: take your children on a journey of hands-on learning and discovery.

The tried-and-tested assemblies are ideal for presenting to large groups of children and all have an interactive element, encouraging children to participate as helpers. They cover a vast range of subjects, drawing cross-curricular links from across the primary curriculum. There are science experiments, art demonstrations, problems to solve, word games, maths puzzles, quizzes and much more. Each assembly centres on a theme, which can be developed in many different ways afterwards: follow-up ideas make it easy to explore the learning further. Children can try the ideas themselves in class or at home. Although the assemblies are primarily aimed at Key Stage 2, many are also eminently suited to Key Stage 1.

Each assembly outlines the materials and preparation needed, gives step-by-step instructions for introducing and delivering the assembly and offers plenty of follow up ideas. Planning and delivering an innovative, child-centred assembly has never been easier! Amazing Assemblies for Primary Schools is an ideal practical resource for anybody required to take primary school assemblies.

Mike Kent

Mike Kent has spent his entire career in primary education and was a head teacher for thirty years. He has written for many educational papers and magazines and was a leading columnist on the Times Educational Supplement for fifteen years, being shortlisted twice as newspaper columnist of the year. Mike has co-authored twenty-seven musical plays for primary schools and written three books on education, including a popular autobiography of his headship years. Amazing Assemblies for Primary Schools is Mike's first resource book for teachers.

Click here to read Mike's feature on Headteacher Update: 'Making the most of assembly time'.

Reviews

John T Morris BA(Hons),MEd,MPhil,CertEd, Director at Ymgynghorwyr Addysg JTM Educational Consultants

Mike Kent's broad experience as a head teacher in primary schools and a thought provoking columnist and writer have given him the skills to produce a book full of practical ideas to promote assemblies at primary schools as more exciting and interesting learning experiences.

Within the book the author outlines twenty five simple to prepare assemblies which are interactive and cover a wide range of topics. Some of the ideas can be made easily and are ideal for schools of all sizes, out-of-school clubs and Sunday schools. The outlines for activities such as -˜the extraordinary egg shell', -˜the clever coin', -˜the moving coin that doesn't move', and others all capture the enthusiasm of children and promote knowledge and understanding. Success with the basic, easy to prepare ideas will give the teacher confidence to attempt some of the more complex ideas which, as the author points out, require rehearsal before interaction with the children.

The excellent instructions and descriptions of stages in the process of learning are easy to follow and are supported well by pictures and diagrams.

I would recommend this excellent resource for teachers and leaders at all levels to enthuse groups of children, captivate their imagination, and to promote knowledge and understanding. Above all it will give the -˜leader' ideas to transform the assembly from a -˜boring listening time' to an interactive, interesting, thought provoking and -˜I want to be there' session.
UKEdChat.com

There is nothing worse than leading your class into assembly, and realising that the person who was supposed to deliver the assembly is absent, and your colleagues all scramble back to their classrooms to -˜”sort stuff out”, leaving a room full of pupils all looking at you to deliver an assembly that will inspire and motivate them. No pressure there then! There are those colleagues who can think of their feet, and ramble on for fifteen minutes explaining the virtues of life, whether it's relevant to their audience or not. Whereas other people go into full palpitations at the prospect of delivering an assembly to the school, planning and refining their script to the second, taking weeks in the preparation.

Gaining the inspiration for an assembly can sometimes be the main obstacle, but this Amazing Assemblies for Primary Schools: 25 simple-to-prepare educational assemblies by Mike Kent offers a fantastic small collection of ideas which can provide inspiration to any teacher who is suddenly given the opportunity to deliver an assembly. The collection of ideas does require a little preparation, as many require resources to support the assembly, but the easy step-by-step ideas and guidance for each assembly is presented fantastically, giving inspiration and hope for those teachers who are thrust in front of the school to deliver an assembly.

This is a fantastic book resource which would be well positioned on any staff room book shelf to support staff who deliver assemblies, with a great mix of ideas to inspire.

You can read the review in full here.
Anita Asumadu, Head Teacher, Oliver Goldsmith Primary School

Mike's book is a pick-up-and-go assembly resource with a difference. It brings the curriculum alive through practical, fun and often surprising learning opportunities which draw on all the senses. As a busy head teacher, this book is just what I need to capture the imaginations of children of all ages. Fascinating facts from across the curriculum are brought to life in this simple and handy new best friend for school leaders. Well done, Mike! Thank you for sprinkling a little magic back into assembly time.
Glenda Charman, retired teacher

The children and I loved all these assemblies. They were great fun and we all learned something without realising it.

Great fun and such simple ideas that make you think. Many of the ideas translated into activities in the classroom, and sparked off other themes.
John Lord, retired head teacher

This book brings the fun ingredient back into assembly life! I will never peel a banana or a hardboiled egg again without thinking about Assembly 4! Bright, clear and easy to follow - a lovely way to start the school day and bring the children together. Teachers' and children's perception of and attitudes towards assembly life will be enriched if these ideas are tried. They all work - I've tried them!

Children will leave school with lasting memories of these assemblies and maybe use them in the future with their own children. The staffroom atmosphere will be enhanced if these assemblies are practiced together before the assembly with the children! Have a go - don't be afraid of failing - discussion will follow! The assemblies provide a great platform for further discussion, both formally and informally. An extra copy for the school library would be a bonus for the children to follow up in their own time.

A must-buy for any imaginative, forward looking primary school.
Loleta Pilgrim (Matthews), former deputy head teacher, Comber Grove

We all remember assemblies from our school days. These were the times when the whole school came together in the hall for fifteen minutes. We all stood to say good morning to the head teacher, then sat on the floor without a sound. The head teacher then rose and announced the news for the week. A prayer was said, a hymn sung and off we went, class by class, back to our classrooms. Assemblies at Comber Grove were so far removed from this because of the brilliant headmaster Mike Kent.

Children filed into assembly quietly and you could see the enthusiasm on their faces as soon as Mike appeared. Every assembly was magical, whether it was scientific, language based or involved other areas of the curriculum. On numerous occasions children wanted to follow up ideas from the assembly in their classrooms and they were aware that they could go to Mike to show him how they had discovered something new or if they needed help with an assembly idea. More important was the effect these assemblies had on the staff. When topics were raised in assembly teachers often incorporated them into the curriculum.

Assemblies were a special occasion at Comber Grove and the whole school looked forward to these with great enthusiasm. I recently met an ex-pupil on the bus (now in his twenties) who said how much he loved being at Comber Grove and how much he enjoyed Mr Kent's wonderful assemblies.
Maria Slattery, Literacy Leader and UKS2 Phase Leader, Comber Grove Primary School

With over 50 years of teaching and headship experience (and a love of magic tricks), Mike Kent certainly knows how to lead lively assemblies which engage, excite and stimulate discussion with young children. With particular focus on the wonders of maths, science and music, Mike's carefully structured assemblies weave together everyday objects, child participants and that all important touch of awe to bring learning concepts to life. From levitating children to demonstrate the impact of our senses to using self-peeling bananas to explain vacuums, Mike shares with us his tried-and-trusted assemblies which have had a real impact on young learners.

In an age of virtual experiments and experiences, Mike's assemblies are a refreshing return to children experiencing and discovering first-hand how their world works. Indeed, as a teacher at Mike's school for 10 years, I've seen children inspired to recreate, further explore and share this new knowledge with parents and with each other, and this is where the beauty of these assemblies lies.

Each assembly idea is clearly set out (much in the vein of a lesson plan) with a theme, resources needed, preparation, assembly outline and follow up ideas. Many of the assemblies just require everyday school or home objects and can be easily prepared with little time - yet have a big impact.

Amazing Assemblies for Primary Schools is an excellent resource for all busy school leaders and teachers looking to bring a little bit of magic to their assemblies.
Michael Evans, educational journalist

A delightful, well-constructed and very clear book: an invaluable addition to the staffroom bookshelf. A pot of gold for anyone who might have to take an assembly at short notice. Packed full of exciting activities to excite and enthral: guaranteed to start the day on a high note.
Richard Dax, Head Teacher, Comber Grove Primary School

When I heard that Mike Kent had written another book, my heart leapt with joy because I knew that it would be practical and entertaining; I wasn't disappointed. Amazing Assemblies for Primary Schools is just what is needed for a wet and dreary Monday morning. The ideas are captivating and, above all, educational and will enthral any audience, young or old. The activities are simple and easy to prepare and I will be using them immediately, just as long as I contact the fire brigade first!
Terence O'Brien, retired teacher

If you're looking for exhortations regarding God, moral fibre or -˜grit' in school assemblies then Mike Kent's book is probably not for you. Though no doubt you'll find it if you want to. Rather, these assemblies are about intriguing, fascinating and involving children. More importantly, they stimulate such that children will invariably want to try these interesting puzzles and tasks for themselves.

Not just razzmatazz and wow, but thinking and trying things for yourself.
Sir Tim Brighouse, former London Schools Commissioner and Chief Education Officer for Birmingham and Oxfordshire

Every primary school needs two copies of this; one for the staffroom and one for the head. Assemblies need to be riveting and an opportunity to stimulate learning: here are twenty-five ideas, any one of which will guarantee a great experience.

Write your own review

Review title:

Review text:

Rating:

Bad

Excellent

Similar Books