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Anti-Bullying Week - 'David and Goliath'

In short...

Themes: Making friends; respect; dealing with bullies; finding help; staying safe and happy.

Summary: This assembly explores making friends, as well as how to deal with falling out with a friend and how to deal with bullying. In the UK, Anti-Bullying Week is held in the second week of November. The week is organised by the . The alliance also names one Friday in November as 'Wear Blue Day' and encourages school staff, parents and children to wear blue, to signal their support for anyone who is feeling bullied.

Resources: the and an .

The video

The video is a retelling of the story from the Bible of David and Goliath.

Long ago, the Philistines and the Israelites spent all their time fighting each other. One of the Philistines was a giant bully of a man called Goliath. Everyone was afraid of him. Only David, the smallest of the Israelites, was brave enough to face Goliath.

David's story shows you don't have to be big to be brave and that no-one should have to put up with being bullied.

Duration: 05' 43"

Final words: '…Goliath, the big elephant, defeated by David, the tiny ant.'

Video questions

  • What are the two groups of people in the story called? (The Philistines and the Israelites)
  • What does Goliath wear on his legs for protection? ('Brass')
  • What does Goliath say the Israelites look like? (Tiny ants)
  • What animal does the story say Goliath looks like? (An elephant)
  • David: 'I may be small but…' What does he say next? '…I am brave!'

Key links

Download / print the assembly framework ready for use

Assembly framework (pdf)

Click to display the image full-size

Image: David (from the video)

Suggested framework

1. Entry music
A song about friendship, such as: 'You've got a friend' (Carole King); 'Lean on me' (Bill Withers); 'You've got a friend In me' (Randy Newman); 'We're going to be friends' (The White Stripes).

2. Introduction
Display the (also in Key links, above). Tell pupils: 'This boy is called David. How does he look?' [Gather responses]. Ask the children to try to copy his expression. Ask, 'Is that frown a friendly expression?' Allow the children time to respond, then continue: 'We all try to be friendly with each other and that's the right way to be. But sometimes, someone is unfriendly. How does it feel if someone is unfriendly?' [Gather responses again]. Tell the children: 'Here's a story from the Bible about what can go wrong when people are angry and bullying and unfriendly. It's the story of two people - one called David and the other called Goliath…'

3. The video
Play the video. The duration is 05' 43" and the final words are: '…Goliath the big elephant, defeated by David, the tiny ant.'

4. After the video
You could use the Video questions and answers (above) to help the children focus on details from the video.

5. Time to talk
Use some or all of the following questions to guide a discussion about David and Goliath:

  1. Why do you think Goliath behaved so badly in the story?
  2. Why do you think some people become bullies?
  3. How do you think David felt about Goliath when he saw him bullying everyone?
  4. What does this story tell us about bullying? [The children may decide the 'message' of the story is 'be brave and stand up to bullies'. If so, continue the discussion by exploring how such a situation would be dealt with in school…]
  5. If David and Goliath were happening in school how would we deal with it?
  6. Why do we sometimes get angry with each other in school?
  7. If you feel sad or scared or unhappy about the way someone has treated you, what should you do? [Guide the children's responses to make these points: Don't hit back - just walk away / Tell someone about what has happened - a friend or parent or teacher / Remember: it's not your fault if someone is a bully / You deserve to be happy and safe and free from bullies, as does everyone else. Conclude the assembly on a positive note by reminding the children of the power of friendship.

6. Opportunity to sing
If your assembly is to include a song this would be a good time for it. Suggestions from Â鶹ԼÅÄ collections below.

7. Opportunity for reflection
We are all different, but we are all capable of friendship, sharing and respect.
If we respect others, then they will respect us in return.
That's how friendship and how sharing works.
In the stillness, think to yourself about how you treat others…how you can help to build a happy, friendly school community.

8. Opportunity for prayer
Use your standard form of address ('Dear God', 'Lord Jesus', etc) and:
We thank you for our friends.
Help us to value and respect the things that matter to them and to share with them true friendship in return.
Amen.

Suggested songs

Song: 'Keep the golden rules' (All about our school, no 5. Vocal version)

Song: 'Down by the riverside' (Come and Praise, no 142. Vocal version)