Product reviews for Twenty-First Century School Assembly and Classroom Activities

Will Ryan has put together a brilliantly presented insight into how to make school assemblies meaningful, inspirational and thought provoking. On reflection of my own experience in taking assemblies and being a recipient of many badly planned, off the cuff knee jerk reactions to “incidents” from the previous day, I would have relished having access to many of the ideas put forward so well by Will Ryan. In common with the author, I consider all those responsible for taking / organising school assemblies or even family worship in chapels / churches should reflect on whether their current activities pass what Ryan describes as the three generation test. That is, “the children remember them in the short term, they still remember them when they become parents, and finally they are able to tell their grandchildren about them”. Material for themes is presented in a stimulating layout with the emphasis on capturing the thoughts of the audience with features such as the “six word slogan stories” or promotion of “six powerful words” to capture the theme of the assembly and develop “further enquiry” linked to good use of technology. This book is a must buy for all schools and church communities who are keen to make their assemblies more about listening and thinking, relevant, stimulating and though provoking rather than merely telling and doing.