What’s on the menu assembly resource
Stage
Early, first and second level (whole of primary).
Rationale
This assembly intends to explore the theme of friendship, and to
investigate the qualities we look for in our friends.
People involved
Teacher to guide discussion and complete chart; child dressed as
a chef
Learning intention
At the end of this, pupils will have experienced a sense of
otherness and of values.
At the end of the event, pupils will be able to list desirable
qualities in a friend.
Links with
Curriculum for
Excellence and RO
Review
Resources
Confident individuals, responsible citizens.
Possible links to health and wellbeing, expressive arts, literacy
and English.
Chef’s hat; flip chart
The assembly
Introduction
Introduce child wearing chef’s hat - new restaurant owner. Ask: What will make his or
her restaurant successful?
Stimulus/stimuli
Flipchart – list suggestions for what makes a good restaurant and develop theme on to
menu choices.
Discuss good/bad choices - would you return for another meal? Explore and decide on
positive influences.
Reflection
Using example of menu above, ask for desirable qualities in a new friend. What should
be ‘off the menu’? - spitefulness, jealousy, etc.
Personal responsibility to a friend should be introduced here.
Read poem - see Appendix.
Response
Meditation - see Appendix.
Evaluation
1. In class, pupils write their own menu of the qualities of a friend.
2. Evaluation by assembly leader and class teacher.
3. Observing pupil engagement with RO event and follow-up discussion.
Appendix
Guided Reflection - Oath of Friendship
I want to be your friend
For ever and ever without break or decay.
When the hills are all flat
And the rivers are all dry,
When it lightens and thunders in winter
When it rains and snows in summer.
When heaven and earth mingle Not till then will I be parted from you.
Anon, China, 1st century
Response - Meditation
Help us all to be good friends to one another.
Help us to be loyal and to never let each other down.
Good friends never talk badly behind one another's back
Or say mean things about each other.
Good friends share things with each other
And support each other, when one of them is unhappy or unlucky.
Help us to be better friends, even when it's difficult,
Because friendship is one of the most important things in our world.