Pause for Thought in the Classroom: Chase the Clouds Away
Words and actions make a difference
by Janice Ross (adapted)
Suitable for Whole School (Pri)
Aims
To consider the value and effect of kind words and actions.
Preparation and materials
- You will need the PowerPoint slides that accompany this assembly (Chase the Clouds Away) and the means to display them.
- If possible, have some kite shapes for the children to write on. A template is available at: https://tinyurl.com/y9dev9f5
- You will need the song ‘Let’s go fly a kite’ from the film Mary Poppins. It is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNSler7jBWs (3 minutes long)
Assembly
Talk to the children about the recent weather. Point out that when clouds move in front of the sun, they can block out the light and make us feel a bit sad.
Point out that it is not just the weather that can make us gloomy or sad. Sometimes, we just feel that way when we get up in the morning. Yesterday, we might have felt really happy; today, we feel a bit miserable.
Ask the children to think of things that sometimes make them feel sad.
Show the PowerPoint slides.
Discuss why each statement might affect how we feel. Ask the children to add their own ideas to Slides 7 and 8.
Ask the children what might help to push the gloomy clouds away. Discuss how we can all be part of cheering others up. Our actions and words matter; they can make a big difference to how people feel.
Show the kite shapes to the children.
Ask the children to write or draw some things on the kite shapes that could cheer people up today.
Time for reflection
Suggest to the children that learning the following rhyme is a good way to remember the importance of kind words and deeds.
The kind things that we do and say
Chase the sad, grey clouds away.
Encourage the children to be on the lookout over the next few days for anyone who might need a kind word or deed. They can then give that person their kite to chase the sad, grey clouds away.
You may wish to use the following prayer.
Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you that you always know when we are feeling sad and gloomy, and you also know why.
Help us to be aware of others who are feeling like that.
Help us to brighten up their day with a kind word or deed.
Amen.
Song/music
‘Let’s go fly a kite’ from the film Mary Poppins, available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNSler7jBWs (3 minutes long)
Extension activities
- You may like to have a go at making your own kite. Younger children could try the instructions available at: https://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-Paper-Kite-for-Kids/ or follow the video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hP0jFnmMAIA (3.08 minutes long)
Older children may prefer to follow the instructions available at: https://www.my-best-kite.com/how-to-build-kites.html (Click the images on the right side of the page to find instructions to build a diamond, delta or sled kite.) - Why not colour in some kites and write words on them that will remind you to say kind words this week? Then, you could stick them up somewhere to serve as a reminder all week. Some templates are available at: http://www.clipartbest.com/kite-template-for-kids
