What a Lot of Potential!
New year possibilities
by Lydia Parkinson
Suitable for Whole School (Pri)
Aims
To use the new year to consider the meaning of potential.
Preparation and materials
- You will need the PowerPoint slides that accompany this assembly (What a Lot of Potential!) and the means to display them.
Assembly
- Ask the children what the word ‘potential’ means.
Listen to a range of responses.
Explain that it is defined as ‘having or showing the capacity to develop into something in the future’. - Ask the children whether they have any ideas about what job they would like to have in the future.
Listen to a range of responses. - Show Slide 1.
Ask the children what the slide shows, giving clues if necessary. (The answer is sunflower seeds.)
Ask the children what the seeds have the potential to grow into.
Show Slide 2. - Show Slide 3.
Ask the children what the slide shows.
Ask the children what the flame has the potential to produce.
Show Slide 4. - Show Slide 5.
Ask the children what the slide shows, giving clues if necessary. (The answer is tulip bulbs.)
Ask the children what the bulbs have the potential to become.
Show Slide 6. - Emphasize that the seeds, the small flame and the bulbs all have the potential to become something spectacular, if they are given the right conditions. Seeds and bulbs need nutrients, water and light if they are to become flowers. The small flame needs dry wood and air (oxygen) if it is to produce a fire.
- Show Slide 7.
Ask the children what the slide shows.
Ask the children what they have the potential to become.
Show Slide 8. - Explain that all of the children have been babies and each has great potential. However, we all need certain things that will help us to grow and fulfil our potential.
Ask the children for examples of what we need to grow and develop. These might include food, water, shelter, friends, kindness and so on.
Time for reflection
Point out that the start of a new year is a good time to decide to try hard this year in everything that we do. It’s a good time to decide to grasp new opportunities and try new things. It’s also a good time to be thankful for all the people who provide us with food, water, clothes, homes, love and kindness.
Encourage the children to be quiet for a few moments while they think about the people who help them each day.
Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you that we are all different and all special.
Please help us to continue to try hard so that we can develop the gifts that we have.
Please help us to take new opportunities this year.
Please help us to say thank you to those who help us day after day.
Amen.
Song/music
‘Tidal wave’ by Doug Horley, available at: https://youtu.be/hWfYpF40i8U (4.25 minutes long)
