Stones assembly resource
Stage
Second and third levels (late primary and early secondary).
Rationale
This assembly is for a departmental group and is also suitable
for whole school, stage and class assemblies. It is about
significant events and milestones in life. Stones have been
used from time immemorial to mark significance. We can
recognise/appreciate the significance accorded by others. As
human beings, we all experience significant events
and milestones and we too can accord significance to stones.
Learning intentions
By the end of the assembly pupils will:

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
Resources
gain some understanding of stone circle constructions and
standing stones in Scotland
see pictures of stones that tell us something
develop an understanding that the positioning of a stone
can be important.

Celtic music

PowerPoint presentation of different types of stones; there
are images of stones in the Religious Observance Image
Gallery

a very small stone or pebble for every pupil

bucket, half filled with water - one for each class or stage
group attending the assembly

video or PowerPoint presentation about standing stones,
the information that stones give us and words written in
stone. Please see the download materials for more
information.
Duration
Approximately 30 minutes
Reflection
Guided reflection
A stone can stand as a symbol for something in our lives: a
little stone for an irritant, a large pebble to represent my
importance in the school family.
Personal reflection
Pupils will be given opportunities to:




Possible activities
reflect on milestones in their own lives
reflect on their positive characteristics
think about something about themselves which is not
praiseworthy
reflect on the values of the school.
Every pupil selects or brings in a stone to represent
themselves and one of their positive characteristics. These
stones can be painted, then varnished, to be individually
recognisable by the children. One by one the children add
their stone to a cairn at the school entrance.
Pupils can create a labelled display of identified stones, of
photographs of local significant stones, of information about
Scottish/UK standing stones and ancient monuments.
Assembly running order
Running
time
Minutes
Activity
Staff
Resources
0-3
3
Entry and
gathering time
Facilitator and circle
group leaders to
direct pupils as they
arrive
CD player,
Celtic music
3-7
4
Watch
presentation
about different
stones
7-11
4
Pupils collect
and examine
their stones
Circle group leaders
Small stones
11-14
3
Watch video or
presentation
about standing
stones, the
information and
words in stones
Facilitator could
involve pupils in
discussion at this
point if this would be
helpful
DVD player
and projector
14 -18
4
Stone in my
shoe activity
Circle group leaders
18-28
10
Circle sharing
activity
Circle group leaders
DVD player
and projector
Buckets of
water
Information for Stones presentations
The PowerPoint of different stones could include images of a fossil, a round stone shaped
by the sea, a piece of lava, quartz, a gemstone, coal, flint, etc.
The video or PowerPoint presentation about standing stones, the information that stones
give us and words written in stone, could include:



Images of Callanish, Kilmartin or another stone circle with reference to position,
size and period.
Cover other facts 'that stones can give us' eg milestone, stepping stones,
gravestones, monuments.
Explain that words written in stone are words that are intended to last for all
time: eg tombstones, war memorials, Ten Commandments.
Assembly activities
Stone in my shoe
In their own class/stage group, pupils use their very small, pea-sized pebble to represent
something about themselves they feel is not very good/important/praiseworthy. Pupils
try to walk a few steps with this stone in their shoe.
Circle sharing
All the pupils in each class/stage group sit together in a circle with reflective music
playing. Pupils can then, one by one, drop their stone into a bucket of water. Pupils are
helped to see that the stone might remind them of something they have done wrong and
now they choose to be different; or take their stone to an adult, who can give them an
appropriate response statement.
Guided reflection
A stone can stand as a symbol for something in our lives: a little stone for an irritant, a
large pebble to represent my importance in the school family.