Coping with Change
Life in a rock pool
by Janice Ross
Suitable for Key Stage 3
Aims
To consider the ever-changing environment in a rock pool and the Christian belief that Jesus is an anchor during times of change.
Preparation and materials
- You will need the PowerPoint slides that accompany this assembly (Coping With Change) and the means to display them.
Assembly
- Show Slide 1.
Explain that the students might identify the images on the slide as rock pools. Some of them may have clambered over rocks at the beach, looking in rock pools. - Explain that on beaches that have rocks, pools of water form between the rocks, and the water level changes constantly. Twice a day, the tide advances up the beach and then goes back again. This means that sometimes, the rock pools are full of water, whereas at other times, they can be a small puddle. A rock pool teems with life, but you have to search carefully. The creatures may be hiding!
- Point out that rock pools are not the easiest places for plants and animals to survive. This is due to the constantly changing environment.
When the tide comes in, the pools fill up; when the tide goes out, the water level drops. Creatures need to adapt to both environments to survive. In addition, the movement of water and the changing depth of the pools mean that the water temperature changes constantly. The creatures can be exposed to sunlight, waves and strong winds, so they need to be adapted to survive these. - Explain that plants and animals in a rock pool are hardy and well-adapted to survival in various ways.
Show Slide 2.
Sea anemones cling to rocks and the floor of the pool, using tiny suckers down the length of their arms to keep themselves attached. When the tide is out, they curl up in a ball to avoid drying out and to conserve energy.
Show Slide 3.
Seaweed attaches to rocks, anchoring itself.
Show Slide 4.
Crabs have a hard shell, like a suit of armour. They blend in with the background, skulk under rocks and hide in crevices, away from predators. - Introduce some other creatures that are found in a rock pool.
Show Slide 5.
Limpets have a strong foot that glues them to the rocks so that waves don’t dislodge them. They also have a hard shell to protect themselves from predators such as seagulls.
Show Slide 6.
Barnacles attach themselves to the rocks with their heads. When they have attached themselves, they can no longer move. Their hard outer shell protects them, and they often cluster together for added protection from the waves.
Show Slide 7.
Blennies have slime-covered skin to help them slide between rocks. They can also change colour.
Time for reflection
Christians believe that God made these creatures and plants in such a way that they can withstand harsh conditions and adapt to an ever-changing environment.
Our lives can sometimes be a bit like a rock pool. We get tossed about with problems and changes, and often need something or someone to hold us steady.
As we start back at school, we will all be facing changes. We are in different school years, so some of us are starting option courses and others are in our GCSE year. Many of us are needing to make new friends in different classes, and all of us will be experiencing change of some sort.
Show Slide 8.
Many early Christians had an image of an anchor on their gravestones. Their lives were very hard, and they were often persecuted for being Christians.
Show Slide 9.
An anchor holds a ship in place in the roughest of seas. Many early Christians believed that Jesus was like an anchor, keeping them safe when life was hard.
There is a verse in the Bible, in the Book of Hebrews, that says, ‘We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.’
The motto of the Boys’ Brigade today - ‘Sure and Steadfast’ - is taken from this same verse.
Prayer
Dear God,
You know that our lives can be like living in a rock pool at times: uncertain, ever-changing and scary.
Thank you that you can be our anchor, holding us steady and protecting us from harm.
Amen.
Song/music
‘Ocean - rising tide’ nature soundscape, available at: https://youtu.be/uIQBCqbSOLo (1 hour long)
