Spring and a Beautiful World!

We are part of God’s creation

by Keith Griffin

Suitable for Whole School (Pri)

Aims

To celebrate that we are all part of the beauty of the world.

Preparation and materials

• You will need a selection of items from the natural world that, if possible, indicate the coming of spring. Examples could include flowers (daffodils if possible), leaves and blossom.
  
  If possible, also include a selection of fruit and vegetables that are in season in spring. A list of examples of springtime fruit and vegetables is available at: http://eattheseasons.co.uk/march.php
  
  Make sure that the selection of items from the natural world and the springtime fruit and vegetables are covered at the start of the assembly.
  
  
• Optional: prior to the assembly, consider the setting of the school, including whether it is rural or urban, the landscape surrounding it and what can be seen through any windows in the room where the assembly is taking place.

Assembly

1. Ask the children if they can name the seasons of the year.
   
   Ask them what season we are currently leaving and what season we are moving into.
   
   
2. Ask the children what happens as spring arrives.
   
   Listen to a range of responses.
   
   
3. Explain that as we are now moving into springtime, you have brought in some things that remind you of spring.
   
   Invite some volunteers to come forward to hold the items from the natural world.
   
   Ask the children to identify each item and ask them what it is good for or what its use is. For example, flowers attract insects and leaves may provide food for animals.
   
   Explore the fact that all of the items are beautiful in some way. As you show each item, express how beautiful it is. For example, smell the flowers and look at the intricacy of the leaves. Encourage the volunteers to look closely at the items and do the same.
   
   
4. As you show the seasonal fruit and vegetables, point out how good the food is for us. Maybe it contains lots of vitamins, maybe it tastes delicious, maybe it’s good for lunch boxes – offer various ways in which the food is good.
   
   
5. Point out that you could only bring a few things into the assembly. Actually, there are many more reminders of spring that have to stay outside. Ask the children for some suggestions.
   
   
6. Point out that alongside flowers, trees and animals, there are other reminders that spring is coming. Discuss how the days get longer and the sun seems to shine more (hopefully!). Point out that you couldn’t bring in clouds, the sun or the moon, but in different seasons, all these things appear to be different.
   
   
7. Point out that Christians believe that God made the world. The Bible tells us that when God made the world, he looked at it and was pleased with what he had made. He said that it was good.
   
   
8. Remind the children that they are each part of God’s creation, part of the world. All of them are special and a beautiful part of the world.
   
   
9. Point out that most of the things that we have considered today use the senses of sight, taste or smell. There are many ways to see spring, the seasonal foods taste great and the spring flowers smell lovely.
   
   Ask the children if they can think of anything to do with spring that uses the sense of hearing.
   
   Listen to a range of responses.
   
   
10. Point out that when spring arrives, children can play outside more easily. The noise of children playing in the playground or on the field is a sound of spring. Even the sound of people walking along the street chatting to each other, rather than quickly running to their cars, is a reminder of spring.

Time for reflection

Remind the children that Christians believe that God made each person. When Jesus was on earth, he spent a lot of time with children and spoke about how older people needed to be more like children. Remind the children that God loves to see them laugh, play and run about. He loves to see his creation enjoying the springtime.

Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you for all that you give us,
For all of nature and creation,
And for the food that we grow, eat and enjoy.
Thank you for the beauty of springtime.
Help us to realize that each of us is a precious and beautiful part of your creation.
Amen.

Song/music

‘Our God is a great big God’, available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaXPXWBcE3I (3.00 minutes long)