I've Got All the Coins!
It's good to share
by Helen Bryant
Suitable for Whole School (Pri)
Aims
To consider the importance of sharing what we have with others.
Preparation and materials
- You will need some chocolate coins to hide around the room prior to the assembly, with consideration having been given to any children with allergies.
- You will also need some food and warm clothes, such as an apple, some bread, scarves, coats and hats.
- You may like to select some appropriate music and have the means to play it during the treasure hunt in the 'Assembly', Step 1.
Assembly
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Ask for a few volunteers to take part in a treasure hunt. Explain that the volunteers will have one minute to find as many coins as they can. You may wish to add a few rules, such as that there is to be no running, or play music while the hunt is taking place. Say, ‘Ready, steady, go!’ to start the hunt.
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After one minute, ask the volunteers to return to the front and count their coins. Ask them if they would like to eat their coins . . . but not just yet!
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Ask all the seated children to pretend that they are hungry and cold, by rubbing their tummies, looking sad or shivering, for example.
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Show the children the warm clothes and food. Explain that the food and clothes could be used to stop some of them feeling cold and hungry, but, unfortunately, if anyone wants to have them, they need to buy them from you with gold coins!
Ask if anyone has any ideas about what to do. Hopefully, someone will suggest that those who collected the gold coins could buy the clothes and food from you and give them to those in need. -
Explain that those with coins could share them with other people, but they could also buy some clothes or food and distribute them to those in need themselves. This is true on a bigger, worldwide scale as well as in school. There are many people in the world who have little food and are in desperate need of clothing.
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Most religions in the world express the importance of looking after the poor. Christians believe that they should care for others and share what they have with those in need. Hindus believe that everyone has a duty to care for those in need as part of following the righteous path, or dharma. By doing this and doing good, Hindus believe, positive karma is created that enriches the soul and means they will achieve a better reincarnation in their next existence. Within Islam, one of the five pillars is ‘zakat’. This is the pillar that suggests 2.5 per cent of a Muslim’s wealth should be distributed among the poor.
Time for reflection
There are many people who need help in the world today. There are people in remote places who don’t have fresh water to drink, people who live in areas of famine, refugees from Syria or other war-torn countries, to name just a few of the difficulties that people face.
Take some time to think about how you might be able to help others. You could get involved with a fundraising event, perhaps, or donate some of your pocket money to charity. You could even simply look out for ways in which you could help those around you, such as opening a door for someone who is struggling or caring for someone in the playground who is all alone.
Often, when we help others, it makes us feel great as well, so everyone is a winner!
Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you that we are so fortunate and have so much.
Please help us to remember that many people are hungry, many people do not have homes to live in and many people are sad.
Please help us to look for ways in which we can help.
Help us to be generous people who always think about others.
Amen.
