10 Simple Class Assembly Ideas for a Great Class Assembly in 2019

Updated 15/May/2019

Writing a captivating and interesting class assembly can be a read struggle.

But it doesn't have to be that way!

If you are finding it challenging you are probably just trying too hard. Here are ten tips to help you write a great class assembly.

1. Keep it simple! If your assembly is on Tudor kings and queens, just write about Tudor kings and queens and nothing else about the period.

2. Know the subject fairly well. You don't have to be an expert on something but definitely spend a couple of hours researching the subject especially if you don't know the topic really well. Sometimes, while you are reading up, the assembly will kind of plan out itself in your head.

3. Have a structure. Carve out the different sections the assembly is going to have and then get cracking on writing these different parts. If you are writing an assembly on Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot, possible sections would be Henry V111, Elizabeth 1, King James 1 and 13 Catholic men plotting etc. If you have to, keep it factual at first so the facts and the information are already in the performance.

4. Use narrators to move the assembly on and to announce the different components or the different parts of the play. They need to be clear and loud. If you can, have them sitting on high benches.

5. When you have written the facts, weave in the “funny bits”. It is important to have humour. A bit of sarcasm, odd jokes, word play will go a long way to make the play interesting.

6. Keep the lines short. Children will find it hard to remember too many lines and will find it hard to keep their voices loud.

7. Add a bit of poetry. It doesn't have to be your own. The children can write the poems or they can be ones that are famous and from a book. A bit of humorous poetry is really enjoyable and uplifting.

8. If you are writing a historical or a cultural performance, a dance movement can add a bit of a lift. For example, a medieval or a Tudor dance sequence matched to a good track is really entertaining to watch if your assembly is on castles or the Tudors.

9. When you have finished, read the assembly out to yourself and mentally picture each scene and how it would look better! Is the scene dragging? Will the children be able to act it out? Will it look messy? Who is going to be sitting where? Where will they move to when they are going off stage?

10. Leave enough time for practise and rehearsals. Children need to be clear about when they are on and will feel a lot happier and confident if they know what they are doing!

Remember, parents love to see their children on stage! Even when they can't hear what they are saying sometimes! Don't get nervous about your performance. It really is about the children enjoying themselves and as long as the process is fun, the final thing is going to be great!