Assembly Stories
Hi everyone, I’m going to start uploading our weekly Thursday assemblies here – watch in you classrooms or at home – let me know which stories are your favourites when you see me around school!
Lots of these books are available to read in the morning “bagel bar” in the hall – pop in and enjoy them again with your grown-ups!
The Monk and The Yak
A lovely short story to help us think about the importance of trusting friendships.
The Tear Thief
Just a lovely modern fairy tale to enjoy during mental health week this week!
Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao
This story is all about perseverance in work, friendships and life – it’s also about my favourite food!
Community – The Whale Who Wanted More
This week, our collective worship focus is “community”. This lovely story also has great illustrations and tells the story of a whale who finds contentment in a supportive community when he realises that “we all need so little to have quite enough”. Our assembly is available online here and the story is below:
Albert Upside Down
Award winning illustrations in this lovely book all about collaborator super powers!
Ada Lovelace
This week was British science week – here’s a great story about the life of Ada Lovelace – an inspirational scientist. I wonder how many future scientists are at Shelton Juniors right now?!
The Name Jar
A book about fitting in, and being unique and special. This story is about a girl who has moved from Korea to America. Her name is unusual to her new American classmates – will she be able to fit in and make friends?
At Shelton we welcome everyone and celebrate our uniqueness – how are you unique and special?
My Beautiful Voice
A lovely book about confidence and learning and learning to express yourself. Sometimes, all it takes is a special teacher to show us how to be brave and discover our own beautiful voice.
Beegu
This week is Time to Talk day, this is a day organised by the charity Mind to encourage everyone to talk about their mental health.
Beegu is a lovely short story about an alien who feels sad, lost and lonely until she meets some “little people”.
Whether you’re a big person or a little person, maybe we can help each other to feel a little better if we take a bit of time to listen and talk to someone if they are not feeling themselves this week.
A Sick Day for Amos McGee
An old favourite of mine. This story has some great illustrations and is all about how we can help each other in different ways.
Dracula Spectacular
A lovely story about being brave to be who you really are. Look out for the discussion questions at the end to talk about in your classes and with your grown-ups at home.
Dr Martin Luther King Day
This is great illustrated book of Dr King’s famous “I have a Dream” speech. I’ve used the recording of Dr King’s original speech alongside the pages from the book. Listen carefully and have a think about the quote from Dr King at the end – what does it mean for you today?
(Correction: in my introduction I say that Martin Luther King day is 15th, it’s actually Monday 17th January this year)
Christmas
Two Christmas stories this week – written over 100 years apart. What similarities can you spot?
Determination – Project Possible
A little bit different this week – I’ve been inspired by Nirmal Purga (“Nims”) after watching a documentary called “14 Peaks” recently. (It’s a 12 certificate but grown ups its well worth a watch on Netflix!) So I wanted to share a little of Nims’ story of courage and determination – I think we can definitely all learn something from him.
Dogs Don’t Do Ballet
I’ve just discovered this great book. It’s been around for a while so you might know it. Can you spot the hidden message in this great story?
King of the Sky – Wellbeing Day
Today’s story is all about a boy who moves to another country – he feels very sad because everything is so different. Luckily, he makes a friend who helps him to feel at home.
How will you make everyone in our school feel at home this week?
Troll Stinks – Anti-bullying week
Great odd socks day this week everyone! Today’s story is called Troll Stinks – get ready to pause the video and discuss the questions with your class or with your grown ups at home.
Walter Tull
On Armistice day, this is the story of Walter Tull, the first Black British outfield football player and the first black British officer in the army.
Happy
On National Stress Awareness day, this story is called “Happy” and has some lovely illustrations and ideas to help us manage our own wellbeing: