Storm and calm assembly resource
Stage
Second and third levels (late primary and early secondary).
Rationale
This assembly is designed to be delivered to a departmental
group but is also suitable for whole school/stage/class
assemblies. It is about feelings of anger, fear, calmness and
how to deal with these. Pupils will understand that stormy
times and calm times are experiences most of us encounter in
life. We can learn how best to deal with these experiences.
These experiences need not affect the essential me. Within
life's journey we all experience times of storm and calm; these
may be emotional experiences; they may result from specific
combinations of circumstances. These experiences are often
beyond our control and so we benefit from learning how to
cope at their height and how to remember their transitory
nature.
Learning intentions
By the end of the assembly pupils will:
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Resources
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Duration
identify feelings that would match with visuals of a
seething ocean, a crashing sea
identify feelings that would match with a flat,
sunlit/moonlit, calm sea and lapping waves
begin to understand that the same patch of sea can
appear in different forms
understand that feeling stormy can be changed to
feeling calm by going to a safe/special place; that this
place can be accessed by silence, words, special
people, special objects, music, feelings of being
comforted
know that the Hebrew 'Shalom' is a deep sense of
wholeness, calm and wellbeing.
Video of waves breaking on a seashore, with
accompanying music
Video of sea with voice-over or reading saying 'Two
thirds of our planet is covered by water; the seas of the
world have many different faces; the seas support the
life of the fisherman yet can take his life too.'
Clips of stormy seas with matching music (full
orchestra); calm seas (harp); a land storm/dust
storm/tornado passing by; the wild wind and the
ensuing calm
Film clips from BBC's Planet Earth
Video of the stormy sea with voice-over or reading of
the guided reflection script
Presentation or visualisation of the building storm,
seeking shelter, recognising the danger but knowing I
am safe, relief when the storm abates, enjoying the
calm
Calm music
Approximately 30 minutes
Reflection
Guided reflection
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The stormy sea should be respected - a right form of
fear.
We can watch the storm from a safe place and not feel
afraid.
We can be in the storm; remembering that it will pass
helps us.
We can feel stormy inside; then special places and
special things can help us: granny's hug, a teddy bear,
a blanket, closing the curtains tight, a favourite book, a
song.
It is all right to feel stormy inside; letting that storm
out appropriately is important - draw, scribble, write,
cry, talk to a trusted adult.
Personal reflection
Pupils will be given opportunities to reflect upon the building
storm, seeking shelter, recognising the danger but knowing
safety, relief when the storm abates, enjoying the calm.
In class:
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Possible activities
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Pupils can create storyboards or books of stormy and
calm times and of safe, special places and things.
Pupils can create paintings of stormy and calm shapes
and colours, and of safe, special places and things.
Have a stormy and calm afternoon in the classroom stormy pictures, words and music which then give way
to calm pictures, words and music.
Descriptive writing about experiences of striving to
understand situations or concepts or people
Developing strategies to understand class
subjects/topics more fully
Discussion (eg in PSE class) about social supports for
understanding each other.
Assembly running order
Running
time
Minutes
Activity
Staff
Resources
0-5
5
Enter assembly to
video of waves on
the sea shore,
neither stormy nor
calm, and
accompanying
music; gathering
time
Facilitator or
teacher
DVD player
and projector,
Watch DVD with
voiceover about
the fisherman,
then videos of
stormy and calm
seas with music
and the wind and
the ensuing calm
Facilitator
Watch video of the
stormy sea with
the guided
reflection script.
Facilitator
6-11
12-17
18-22
6
6
6
DVD
DVD player
and projector,
DVD
DVD player
and projector,
DVD, Guided
reflection
script
Silently watch the
calm seas video
DVD player
and projector,
DVD
23-28
6
Watch the
presentation or
visualisation
of building storm
with guidance for
personal reflection
Facilitator
Prepared
visualisation,
personal
reflection
guidance
either in
visualisation
or as a
voiceover
28-30
2
Silently classes
leave assembly
with further
opportunities to
explore ideas back
in safety of class
Facilitator
Calm music
Guided reflection script
To be used as a voiceover or reading over a video clip of the stormy sea.
‘The stormy sea should be respected - a right form of fear. We can watch the storm from
a safe place and not feel afraid. We can be in the storm; remembering that it will pass
helps us. We can feel stormy inside; then special places and special things can help us:
granny's hug, a teddy bear, a blanket, closing the curtains tight, a favourite book, a
song. It is all right to feel stormy inside; letting that storm out appropriately is
important - draw, scribble, write, tear, talk to a trusted adult.’
Personal reflection guidance
Stages of the visualisation of the building storm.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Reflecting upon the building storm
Seeking shelter
Recognising the danger but knowing safety
Relief when the storm abates
Enjoying the calm