Story Assemblies of 24 Saints

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Story Assemblies of 24 Saints features a wealth of saints' days spread across the school year from September to July, making it an ideal ongoing resource and enabling teachers to opt in at any time.

The material contains 24 complete assemblies.

The material is designed to meet the needs of busy teachers looking for flexible and creative material to take them through the school year.

Each assembly plan includes a creative mix of elements, designed to put the life of the featured saint in context and, through differentiated storytelling and focused reflection, help children think about what the message of the saint's story might mean to their own lives today.

A suggestion for a relevant symbol is provided with each story, designed to highlight a special feature about the saint and help children use their imaginations to ground the story.

Each assembly provides Teacher's notes, giving background details and essential information to help set the scene and ensure that the teacher has everything to hand for the smooth running of the assembly. Information includes:

• Theme: A short phrase to instantly identify what the assembly is about.
• Bible link: Helpful Bible verses written out in full, with a short commentary about how the Bible story fits into the theme of the storytelling.
• Resources: Suggestions for visual aids and props to help bring the story to life during the storytelling.
• Saint in context: Background information to place the saint in the context of his or her culture and time.
• Entry point: Topical introduction to the theme of the story and questions to help children see how the theme is relevant to their own lives.
• Reflection: Imaginative guide to help children reflect on the story and what its message might mean for them.
• Suggested songs: Songs that reflect the theme of the assembly.
• Optional prayer: Suggestions for a Christian prayer, picking out the main themes of the story.
• 'Build a saint' activity: Classroom follow-up to help build a full picture of the saint, explore a symbol to help children remember how he or she is traditionally recognised, and create a classroom display. In general, the activities use simple, readily available objects, drawing and colouring materials, air-dry modelling clay or play dough.

Each assembly also offers a differentiated story, offering a choice of two storytelling methods: a simple retelling, ideal for younger children, and an interactive questioning alternative for older children. Many of the interactive options also include ideas for children to act out the story as it unfolds.

Heather Butler has taught at primary level for over 25 years, with a particular emphasis on special needs, and has been involved with the teaching and nurturing of children within the local church for over 21 years. She now teaches part time, leads story writing workshops in primary schools and is involved with several charities working with traumatised children across the world. She is author of a number of books for children, including Stories to Make You Think, Stories to Make You Think and Further Stories to Make You Think