Little Things Matter
Making a difference
by Lydia Parkinson
Suitable for Key Stage 3
Aims
To consider that the little things we do matter very much.
Preparation and materials
- You will need a leader and five students to take the spoken parts in the two stories in the ‘Assembly’, Steps 4 and 5. Alternatively, the short playlets could be narrated by the leader.
Assembly
- Ask the students to recall a situation that has worried them and seemed overwhelming. Point out that, within the school community, there will be people feeling like this today.
- Ask the students to think of a situation that the world is facing that seems overwhelming.
Explain that sometimes, situations can seem so enormous that they induce a feeling of total helplessness. We can feel like we can’t make a difference, no matter what we do.
Explain that in today’s assembly, you want to consider that we can all do something. - Explain to the students that they are going to hear two stories, and you want them to think about what their message might be.
- Story 1
Leader: The following story is one that Lord Jonathan Sacks, who used to be the Chief Rabbi, has told.
Narrator (pointing at the old man): An old man was walking along the seashore at dawn. Up ahead, he noticed a young man who was picking up starfish from the beach, where they had been stranded by the receding tide, and throwing them back into the water.
Old man: Why are you doing that?
Young man: If I don’t, the starfish will be stranded and the heat of the sun will kill them.
Old man: But the beach goes on for miles and there are millions of starfish. What difference does it make?
Narrator: The young man stooped down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea.
Young man: Well, it makes a difference to that one. - Story 2
Leader: This is a Russian folk story. Two mice were sitting watching the snow fall and settle on the branch of a tree.
First mouse: How much does a snowflake weigh?
Second mouse: A little less than nothing.
Narrator: The mice continued to watch the snow falling. Gradually, the snowfall lessened, and then stopped. A final snowflake fell on the branch of the tree. The branch creaked, snapped and fell to the ground.
First mouse: So, a little less than nothing can make a big difference!
Narrator: The lessons are clear: do what you can to help, and little things can make a big difference.
Time for reflection
Remind the students that ‘every little helps’. At the time, a small action may not seem to make an enormous difference and change the world. However, it will make some difference, however small.
Ask the students to suggest ideas of things that they could do to make a difference. Examples could include:
– making a small contribution to the next charity collection
– organizing a sale to raise funds for a chosen charity
– writing a letter to someone who can make a difference, like their local MP or councillor
– listening to someone who has a problem
– talking to someone who is lonely
– praying
Remind the students that it would be best to discuss some of these activities with a teacher or parent first.
Prayer
Dear God,
You have made us all different,
And given us to each other for friendship and support,
To share and enjoy each other’s company.
May we always value one another,
And always look for opportunities to improve the lives of those around us.
Amen.
Song/music
‘Make a difference’ by Danny Gokey, available at: https://youtu.be/VOclXz4bzqM (3.08 minutes long)
