Beyond Measure

Some things can’t be measured

by Lydia Parkinson

Suitable for Key Stage 3

Aims

To consider that some important things can’t be measured.

Preparation and materials

• You will need the PowerPoint slides that accompany this assembly (Beyond Measure) and the means to display them.

Assembly

1. Explain that you are going to show three questions to the students and you want them to decide which answer they think is correct.
   
   
2. Show Slide 1.
   
   What is the distance from Land’s End to John O’Groats in a straight line?
   
   A. Approximately 450 miles
   B. Approximately 600 miles
   C. Approximately 800 miles
   
   Pause to allow time for discussion, and then click to reveal the correct answer.
   
   Explain that B is the correct answer: the actual distance is 603 miles.
   
   
3. Show Slide 2.
   
   What is the circumference of the Earth?
   
   A. Approximately 20,000 km
   B. Approximately 30,000 km
   C. Approximately 40,000 km
   
   Pause to allow time for discussion, and then click to reveal the correct answer.
        
   Explain that C is the correct answer: the actual circumference is 40,075 km.
   
   
4. Show Slide 3.
   
   What is the average weight of a commercial aeroplane?
   
   A. 190 tons
   B. 400 tons
   C. 900 tons
   
   Pause to allow time for discussion, and then click to reveal the correct answer.
        
   Explain that A is the correct answer: the average weight of a commercial aeroplane is between 153 and 220 tons.
   
   
5. Ask the students whether they can think of anything that would be difficult to measure, or can’t be measured at all.
   
   Pause to allow time for discussion, and then listen to a range of responses.
   
   
6. Ask the following questions, pausing after each one to encourage the students to reflect upon their answers.
   
   - Can love be measured?
   - Can friendship, kindness or helping each other be measured?
   - Even though we can’t measure these things, does that mean that they are not important?
   
   
7. Read Psalm 103.12: ‘For as far as the east is from the west, so great is God’s love for us.’
   
   Alternatively, you could read Ephesians 3.17-18: ‘I pray that you may grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of God.’
   
   
8. Explain that Christians believe that God loves everybody very much. In fact, the Bible describes God’s love as immeasurable, that is, impossible to measure. Christians believe that God’s love is very great and never ends.

Time for reflection

Encourage the students to think about someone that they love. How can they show that person that they care for them?

Pause to allow time for thought.

Ask the students to think about some other things that can’t be measured, such as kindness, understanding and friendship.

Encourage them to think about how they might show these qualities more today.

Reread Psalm 103.12: ‘For as far as the east is from the west, so great is God’s love for us.’

Pause to allow time for thought.

Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you for people who love us and care for us.
Please help us to let them know that we are grateful.
Thank you for friends and family.
Please help us to show care to others.
Please help us to understand what it means to love our neighbour.
Thank you for your love for us.
Amen.