The Life of Michael Faraday
Assembly to accompany the book ‘A World of Difference’ by Bob Hartman, delivered free to schools in October 2017
Suitable for Key Stage 1
Aims
To consider the life of Michael Faraday.
Preparation and materials
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You will need the book A World of Difference by Bob Hartman, delivered free to schools in October 2017. The story of Michael Faraday can be found on pages 29-34.
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You will need an image of Michael Faraday and the means to display it during the assembly. An example is available at: https://tinyurl.com/y6vs9f8e
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Have available the following images and the means to display them during the assembly:
- a toaster, available at: https://tinyurl.com/y9hj5j55
- a washing machine, available at: https://tinyurl.com/yb3zg7pv
- a tumble dryer, available at: https://tinyurl.com/yb8x8qqw
- an oven, available at: https://tinyurl.com/y7cf33w7
- a microwave, available at: https://tinyurl.com/ycrkc53w
- a fridge, available at: https://tinyurl.com/ybvo72qa
- a table lamp, available at: https://tinyurl.com/ybqrdfqp
Assembly
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Get ready to show the images of a toaster, washing machine, tumble dryer, oven, microwave, fridge and table lamp.
Explain that you are going to show the children a series of pictures. For each picture, ask the following questions.
- What is the object in the picture?
- What would it be used for?
- Have any of the children used one this morning? (The children may have eaten a piece of toast from the toaster, be wearing freshly washed clothes and so on.) -
Ask the children what all of the objects have in common.
Listen to a range of responses.
When they realize that all of them use electricity, ask if they can think of anything else that uses electricity. -
Ask the children to imagine what it would have been like many years ago, before electricity was discovered.
Listen to a range of responses.
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Ask the children to help you think through a typical day. Starting with waking up in the morning, quickly go through a day, noting how often electricity is used. Explain that our lives would be very different without electricity.
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Read the story of Michael Faraday found in the book A World of Difference, pages 29-34.
Time for reflection
Show the image of Michael Faraday.
Michael Faraday’s discoveries changed the world.
There were many times in Michael’s life when things went wrong and he felt like giving up. Sometimes, people didn’t understand him. Sometimes, he was treated unfairly. However, Michael never gave up and in the end, he made one of the greatest discoveries ever.
We all feel like giving up sometimes. There are times when people misunderstand us and times when we find something very difficult and feel like we will never be able to achieve it. Michael’s story encourages us never to give up. It reminds us to keep trying because the next time we try might be the time we are successful.
Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you for people like Michael Faraday who made the amazing discovery of electricity.
Thank you that he never gave up when things went wrong for him.
Thank you that his discovery changed the world.
Please help us always to keep trying.
Please help us never to give up, even when things are difficult.
Please help us to use our gifts and abilities to help others.
Amen.
Further resources
Further resources can be found at:
- Michael Faraday - renewable energy
- Michael Faraday - electricity
- Michael Faraday - discussion questions
- Michael Faraday - extra activities
More resources about Michael Faraday are available at: https://owlcation.com/stem/Great-Inventors-Michael-Faraday or https://www.coolkidfacts.com/michael-faraday-facts/
