Sorting Hat

To reinforce the idea that everyone is different and everyone is special.

by Ronni Lamont

Suitable for Whole School (Pri)

Aims

To reinforce the idea that everyone is different and everyone is special.

Preparation and materials

• Be warned - this assembly mentions Harry Potter so be prepared for some excitement, and when you ask for comments, you'll get them!
• You will need a hat to represent the 'sorting hat'. Warner Brothers stores sell the official version but any distinctive-looking hat will do just as well.

Assembly

1. Take a deep breath and ask how many children have read a Harry Potter book; and how many have seen the film.
   
   
2. Ask for an explanation of what the 'sorting hat' is and what it does. Don't worry if you don't know - you will after asking this question. Further information you might like to glean includes the names of the four houses and which house Harry is put into.
   
   
3. Explain that you have your own version of the sorting hat - not like the one in the book (unless you have the Warner Bros version). Who would like to come and put it on?
   
   
4. Choose a volunteer (a child you know) and sit them on a chair at the front. Explain that the sorting hat in the books knows all about you as soon as it sits on your head - what would this hat say about you if it could speak? Then run through some of the positive aspects of this child, such as lively, funny, good at games, etc.
   
   
5. Repeat this with another child, and perhaps one more if it's going well. Point out that if your hat sat on everyone's head, it would have different things to say about everyone because each person is special and different - the word we use is unique. Everyone in this hall, in the school, in your town/village/city. Everyone in the world is unique, and that's a kind of magic too.

Time for reflection

J. K. Rowling wrote the Harry Potter books - she's a special person, she's unique.
Daniel Radcliffe plays Harry in the film - he's a special person, he's unique.
You are you and no one else is like you - you're a special person, you're unique.
Everyone in the world is just themselves and no one else is like them.
A world full of special people - that's unique.

Song/music

'In the bustle of the city' (Come and Praise, 101)