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How Warm?

Taking care in the sun

by Alan M. Barker (revised, originally published in 2013)

Suitable for Whole School (Pri)

Aims

To consider how we can enjoy the sun safely.

Preparation and materials

  • Optional: you may wish to have available a large thermometer, a sun hat, a bottle of sun cream, a bottle of water, a lunch box and a mini ice pack to show during the assembly.
  • Optional: if you are using the Bible passages in the ‘Time for reflection’ part of the assembly, you may wish to display them:

    Psalm 42.1–2 is available at: https://tinyurl.com/ysf4z89j
    - Psalm 121.5–6 is available at: https://tinyurl.com/3wkn4jx8

Assembly

  1. Ask the children whether they enjoy the weather in summer.

    Listen to a range of responses.

  2. Refer to the temperature, explaining to younger children that ‘temperature’ means how hot or cold anything is.

    Optional: read the large thermometer, if using. How hot is it inside? How hot is it outside in the sun?

    Ask the children, ‘At what time of the day will the temperature be highest?’

  3. Reflect that if there is a long period of hot weather, the lack of water causes plants to wilt and the heat makes animals seek the shade. Dogs pant to cool their bodies down. Owners must take special care of their pets. Imagine running around on a hot day without being able to take off your coat! Fires can break out in the countryside, sometimes caused by carelessly lit barbecues.

  4. Ask the children, ‘How does heat affect people?’

    Reflect that high temperatures can make people feel uncomfortable, tired and irritable. Sweat forms on our skin to cool it and, as our bodies lose water, we become thirsty. The sun can quickly cause skin to become red and sore, or sunburnt.

  5. Observe that this is why, in hot weather, everyone in school should take special steps to care for themselves and others.

    Optional: show the sun hat, bottle of sun cream, bottle of water, lunch box and mini ice pack if using.

    – We need to have regular drinks of water.
    – Covering up with light clothing will prevent sunburn.
    – We should wear a sun hat.
    – We can use sun cream to protect our skin.
    – We should look for shady spots at playtime.
    – We can use an ice pack to keep our packed lunch fresh.
    – We must inform a first-aider if anyone feels dizzy or unwell.
    – We need to keep calm and cool!

    In some localities, it may be appropriate to warn older children about the dangers of swimming in rivers, reservoirs and pools.

Time for reflection

You may wish to read the Bible passages below.

- ‘As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.’ (Psalm 42.1–2)
– ‘The Lord watches over you - the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.’ (Psalm 121.5–6)

Encourage the children to find some words that are associated with hot weather in these passages. (In Psalm 42.1–2, there is water and thirst; in Psalm 121.5–6, there is shade and sun.) Observe that the authors show that they know what hot weather is like and understand the importance of keeping calm!

Remind the children that the summer months can be great fun in the warm weather. However, we will all enjoy the summer more if we are sensible and and look after ourselves and each other.

Take time to be still.
Be thankful for summertime:
For hot sunshine and cool, refreshing water;
For bright-blue skies and green, shady trees.
Take time to be still.

Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you for the summer months and for the fun that we can have.
Please help us to be sensible and look after ourselves and other people.
Please be with us all as we enjoy the summer holidays.
Amen.

Song/music

‘Now that summer has come’ by Out of the Ark Music, available at: https://youtu.be/j1RJlTidkBo (0.30 minutes long)
‘All things bright and beautiful’, available at: https://youtu.be/1HyWkC64X08 (3.29 minutes long)

Publication date: August 2022   (Vol.24 No.8)    Published by SPCK, London, UK.
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