Eyewitness Assemblies

Ideal for the late spring and early summer term, here are 15 imaginative 'first hand' accounts of the events from Easter to Pentecost, told from the perspective of someone who was there.

Each assembly can stand alone, and the material is particularly suitable for schools planning project-based work over the period of Easter, or for teachers wishing to link the themes of Easter to topical issues covered in PSHE and Citizenship.

Gaynor Cobb has worked in primary education for 17 years, teaching across Key Stages 1, 2 and 3. Her teaching responsibilities have included the co-ordination of RE/PSHE, Literacy, History and Special Educational Needs at Church of England schools in Kent and at St. George's School, Windsor Castle, where she taught Religious Studies and Humanities for Common Entrance Examinations. She is currently teaching in Windsor where she co-ordinates Literacy at KS2.

From: London Diocesan Board of Schools - May 2008

• Great value, a book for the staff room, library or the Head's office - you might even want two copies!


• 15 ready to use acts of worship stretching from Holy Week to Pentecost.


• Each unit starts with teachers' notes, the Bible reference, discussion points and ideas for follow up work.


• The worship part of the units have details of resources needed (all very uncomplicated), how to introduce the story and then the story itself told as an eyewitness account or drama.


• There is suggested music, songs and a poem and reflection as well as a short prayer.


From The Association of Christian Teachers 19 February 2008


In her book Eyewitness Assemblies, Gaynor Cobb 'recognises the power of first hand experience'. Events from Palm Sunday to Pentecost are written in a believable way, and in language that is easily accessible. The 'eyewitness' accounts seem to come to life as they each tell their story. You also get a sense of the emotions the eyewitnesses felt. I felt a great sense of satisfaction when I read this book as it helped me to understand what it must have been like for the key people in Jesus' life at that time.

The assemblies are ideal for busy teachers as they come with notes and ideas of how you can bring them alive for the children. There are very good ideas for follow up. Gaynor has also made suggestions for prayers, songs to sing in assemblies and music, which is always helpful. Other ideas are points for discussions and reflective poems. She has made curricular links to RE, PSHE and Citizenship which is definitely helpful to teachers.

I like the way it lends support to teachers through the notes and also the fact that there are questions to help you to focus and make you think, as well as reflect on what the eyewitnesses had said. The assembly gives suggestions for the introduction to the story, and follow up material.

This book would be a welcomed addition to any classroom as it could be used to support Religious Education; and it would be great for assemblies. This is an excellent tool for the hard-pressed teacher.

Reviewed by Angela Hedge, Class teacher and ICT Subject Leader, Charlton Manor Primary School, London

Review from The Methodist Recorder - Thursday 31 January 2008

A collection of 15 ready-to-use assemblies for Easter to Pentecost has been designed by Gaynor Cobb for use with Key Stage Two children. Eyewitness Assemblies (GBP7.99)
comes with teachers' notes and framework links for RE, PSHE and Citizenship and tells the stories of Jesus, Andrew, Judas, Caiaphas, soldier Marcus, Peter, Pilate, Mary Magdalene, Cleopas, Thomas, Matthew, Philip and Paul as well as Good Friday. Each assembly outline contains suggestions for a visual demonstration, an introduction, an eyewitness account, follow-up questions, prayer, songs, music and a reflective poem and, in some cases, roleplay and enactment.



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