Tired of the same old assemblies at your school? Chances are the kids are too. Regardless of age, school assemblies should be interesting. It doesn’t matter whether the assembly is to encourage school spirit or to offer instruction. Often, one member or a team of the school’s PTA coordinates with student body and school administration to develop assemblies. Knowing what works and what doesn’t is the first step in developing school assemblies that not only deliver the information or topic under discussion in an interactive way, but those that keep the students interested and engaged.
Developing a theme
School assemblies are called for a number of reasons. Informational assemblies talk about dress or uniform expectations, codes of conduct or safety strategies. Assemblies may also be held to develop and encourage school spirit, while yet others are held to impart education or in-depth information to students. Regardless of the type of assembly, PTA members should identify a theme or topic before planning even begins. This ensures that the assembly will stay on track and remain focused on one idea or concept, rather than several, which often end up dragging on too long and risk becoming boring.
Cater the theme and method of delivery for elementary, middle school and high school levels. In addition, PTA members will find that their messages and assemblies are more successful when delivered in a unique, entertaining, yet effective manner. Studies have shown that one of the most popular methods for imparting such information these days is in skills demonstrations. For example, BMX stunt shows are a perennial favorite at schools across the country, and can be used as a vehicle for bike safety, character development, and discussions about bullying.
The main goal of a school assembly is to capture the student’s attention. Performers and guests such as BMX riders, martial artists, and other active, entertaining, and skill-based talents and activities provide an excellent venue for instructing students of all ages about serious topics.
Strike a balance between entertainment and education. Some of the most popular PTA assembly ideas include:
- Stunt shows (martial artists, BMX stunts, skateboarding stunts, gymnastics, and basketball skills)
- Assemblies that requires interaction between the speaker/s and students, such as requiring the “use” of a student as a volunteer
- Magic shows
- Human board games
- Science shows and experiments
As you can see, a wide variety of ideas is available to PTAs when designing a school assembly. Know your students, pay attention to their interests, and your school assembly is sure to be memorable.
- School Assembly Performers (bmxschoolshows.wordpress.com)
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School districts are discovering that one of the most effective ways to reduce drug and alcohol use among middle-school students is to teach them the life skills to make good decisions.
In the past, school drug and alcohol awareness programs focused on teaching children to “Just Say No.” But medical studies that explored the effectiveness of several types of middle-school drug awareness programs, mostly involving sixth- and seventh-graders, found that the best programs encouraged students to stand up to peer pressure and provided role-playing techniques.
Programs that taught children about the physical and mental effects of drugs gave students more knowledge about drugs in general, but it didn’t stop them from trying drugs, which was the ultimate goal of the programs. Even programs that focused on building self-esteem and confidence in students didn’t prevent drug abuse in students later on.
Teaching students drug education through life skills is a way to help children protect themselves and their friends when they find themselves in many types of risky situations, including those that involve drugs. It’s a holistic approach that helps them build their own sets of values, skills and knowledge. Life skills programs need to provide them with the opportunity to practice these skills and, at the same time, reinforce and promote all types of positive behaviors.
One of the best ways to teach drug prevention programs is as part of a comprehensive health education program that incorporates a life skills-based education. This requires the program to be taught in age-appropriate sequences and over several years during school. Students need to feel as though they are an important part of the programming and, let’s face it, they are. They need to be actively involved in the program and allowed to reflect on what they’re learning.
Reflecting on what you’re learning is key to any drug prevention program for young people. If they’re going to remain drug-free or not try drugs at all, they need to learn how to develop the skills and values to learn to cope in healthy ways with their problems as they grow older.
Students need to learn how to:
- Build self-esteem
- Set realistic goals
- Cope with anxiety and other emotional struggles
- Resist peer pressure
- Learn to communicate effectively
- Make better decisions
- Manage conflict in respectful yet assertive ways
- Lastly, respond when they’re in social situations where they may be offered drugs.
- Life Skills training begins to help in drug prevention (republicanherald.com)
- Teens bring fresh voices on drug abuse in Maine (bangordailynews.com)
- Heads, Hands, Heart, and Health. (lsg11012013.wordpress.com)
School Assembly Performers- BMX Stunt Team – Teaching By Example
One of the best ways to teach a student is by example. You could explain a complicated science process or you could demonstrate it. Students tend to remember something when they actually see it in action. When it comes to hosting a school assembly to tackle topics like bullying, drug and alcohol use and even character building, would you rather just talk to them or teach by example? If you really want the assembly to stay with the students, let the Perfection On Wheels BMX stunt team be the shining example you’ve been looking for.
Carefully Chosen Pros
Every single member the Perfection on Wheels stunt team is carefully chosen. They’ve worked hard and remained focused on staying positive and avoiding negativity, drugs and alcohol. They are positive examples that students can look up to. Our team is dedicated to helping every one of your students gain the education and tools they need to deal with difficult situations that may occur throughout their lives.
It may seem like overkill to use BMX stunts to engage students. However, students love something exciting that keeps their attention and doesn’t seem anything like school. After listening to teachers all day, they’re not likely to be thrilled listening to an assembly by those same teachers. We offer something fun and different. Honestly, would you rather listen to a speaker or watch an incredible BMX stunt show?
Students are so interested in watching the stunts and learning more about the team that they don’t even realize it’s actually an educational performance. We’re trained to deliver those somewhat sensitive messages. It’s not until they start talking about the assembly that they discover what they’ve learned. By that time, they’re excited about the lesson and ready to be just like our team of examples. We encourage students to live a positive, clean life by showing them just how amazing their lives can be. It’s inspiring and educational without being boring.
Hard Work Is Fun!
While we’re educating students, we’re also doing something else – proving that hard work is actually fun. How many students hate doing homework or studying for tests? Our BMX stunt team at Perfection on Wheels proves that hard work leads to a dream lifestyle of being able to do what you love. Our assemblies build character and help students in all aspects of their lives. Our team is a powerful example and one that stays with students long after the show is over.
Flatland rider for BMX school assembly