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Assembly Tips for Administrators and Teachers

 

School assemblies are important for both students and teachers. Assemblies can be informative on a certain school climate topic, or can be entertaining for the entire school. It is essential for administrators to work with teachers to make assemblies work in their schools. 

Planning school assemblies can be tough for schools. How do you know which one to choose? What if the teachers don't like it? What can you choose that will be informative and engaging enough for students?

EducationWorld has curated a list of tips for schools to effectively plan and execute a successful school assembly. These tips are gathered from two sources, TeAchnology and Responsive Classroom. 

TeAchnology offers administrators a school assembly checklist to complete before the event and the day of the assembly. 

Here is the checklist for before the assembly:

  • Choose a single theme for the event to get administrative approval if necessary. Select a date that is convenient for the staff and students. Make sure the date does not conflictwith any other events held by theschool.
  • Develop a set of rules for the event that should include the time limit, attire to be worn, the dos and don'ts for students and teachers, etc.
  • Make a list of guests - students, teachers, principal, and any outsider if permitted.
  • Create invitation cards for special guests - You can have your students make them as a fun activity.
  • Create a management plan of how to carry out the activities on the day of the school assembly.

Here is the checklist for the day of the assembly:

  • Before the assembly starts, check whether everyone is ready for the activities they are carrying out.
  • Check the audio and visual equipment thoroughly to avoid any mishaps. If any special guests are invited, make sure that you and the principal are ready to welcome them.
  • Distribute lists of the activities to be held out to parents, students and guests.
  • Distribute questionnaires to guests and parents afterwards to know their comments about the event.
  • Check if the refreshments are ready to be served on time.
  • Make sure the welcome speech is ready. Let the guests, students, and parents know in the welcome speech about the purpose of the event and the activities once again. After the school assembly checklist, it is important to create an after-school assembly checklist to make sure that everything runs smoothly. Here are some tips for that:
    • Most important - make sure all the guests are taken care of properly once the event is over.
    • Make sure all of the pieces of equipment used are unplugged and safe.
    • Make sure to acknowledge everyone - guests, sponsors, performers, etc.
    • Create a file of activities that were carried out, guests who came, sponsors, etc. for next year.
    • Take all suggestions in writing from guests, parents, and others involved.

TeAchnology also offered a list of resources on school assemblies. Here are three:

 

The second source, Responsive Classroom, offers administrators and teachers strategies to "ensure a positive audience experience."

"School assemblies, including those involving families, are an important part of building a strong school community," said Mike Anderson, the former teacher who wrote the piece. "Whether it’s a science group presenting during the school day or a student band performing in the evening, a large-group gathering is a powerful opportunity for people from many parts of the school community to learn and celebrate together."

One of the tips is for administrators to "support audience members." Administrators can start by "making sure the audience is comfortable so they can really engage in the performance." Here are other strategies Anderson suggested for successful assemblies:

  • Model and practice assembly routines with students: "At my school one year, students had a hard time following rules during assemblies. They’d enter the cafeteria pushing, jostling, and talking loudly. They often got out of control when applauding. To help them, we practiced all the expected behaviors with each grade level. Our principal modeled walking in and sitting quietly, applauding appropriately, and exiting quietly. What a difference that made!"
  • Get staff help: "Staff members can model good audience skills, position themselves near wiggly students, and help the audience know when to applaud. Be sure to tell staff just what you want them to do."
  • Open with a reminder: "To help everyone get on the same page, make a quick announcement about behavior expectations. A friendly and professional tone will put the audience at ease and encourage them to take the announcement seriously: 'I know everyone is excited to hear our student band this afternoon. I want to remind you to focus on the performers, stay in your seat, and show your appreciation only by clapping. Let’s have a great concert!'"

Anderson's second tip is to also support student performers. If the school hosts its own band, chorus, or theater program, the article offers administrators and teachers tips on how to help them be confident and direct them to perform their best. Here are the strategies he suggests:

  • Model key behaviors and routines: "Interactive modeling is a powerful yet simple strategy for helping students learn how to do all the things necessary for a performance: entering the assembly, finding your seat, waiting patiently while others perform, taking a bow, etc. Encourage all staff members to use this technique to model and practice expected behaviors with students."
  • Post visual reminders: "A simple sign can be a huge help. The adult leading the performers can simply point to a key word or symbol to help performers remember what to do."
  • Intervene if needed: "If a whole group is struggling to meet expectations, you might have everyone pause while you give a clear reminder: “Remember everyone, find the seat with your name on it.” If one or two children need help, give it as unobtrusively as possible. If a gesture or quick reminder isn’t enough, the performers may need to take a break from the assembly. Decide in advance where children will go and who will supervise them."

"Engaged and respectful audiences are a key—and often overlooked—element of successful school assemblies," Anderson concluded. "When planning these events, we often think about supporting performers but forget to do the same for audiences. Taking the time to prepare everyone involved increases the likelihood that each assembly will serve the purpose of uniting the school community through a positive shared experience."

 

Article by Kassondra Granata, EducationWorld Contributor