Technology (Design and Build) Effective Contributors, Responsible Citizens

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1 The Memory Box Rationale Memory is often taken for granted. It can be used to gain academic success. However it is an important aspect of our emotional and physical growth. As human beings we require our memory to create our identity and also to establish the identity of others. Remembering is a rich theme to enable us to appreciate people, places and promises. Memory and recalled experience is also at the core of many trust issues. Title The Memory Box Aim Objectives SENSING MYSTERY, SENSING OTHERNESS Students and staff will learn to value the place of memory and remembering in honouring each other and also influencing others for good. To understand that remembering the past and the example of others can helps us make right choices. By the end of the assembly, pupils will be able to: Experience a new appreciation of silence and self. Explain that silence is not to be feared but explored. Thus sensing mystery and otherness in the act. Share some of the important experiences of their lives with each other through photographs and objects. From the visual language of video reflect upon memory in relation to time and eternity Be challenged to think of people who struggle with memory loss Be encouraged to remember someone, that is, to think about them; and then to take an action to demonstrate this appreciation e.g. send a card, make a call, send a text Link with 5 14 Technology (Design and Build) Link with ACfE Effective Contributors, Responsible Citizens Is this part of a series Introduction Stimulus Single Assembly Because of the nature of the event. It will be important that the facilitator directs and takes control of the tone and the ethos of the event. The success of the event will depend on their ability to produce a team involving pupils and staff. Everyone needs to know in advance that this is an opportunity to begin to get to know self in relation to others. Music, visuals and physical human circles of seven all help to produce an element of mystery and wonder. Creating a Memory Box, explaining their object Video presentation Creating silence, Giving a gift for charity into the silence box. Use of music, and stereo sound effects. The use of lighting effectively, making it easier to participate.

2 Guided Reflection Response Evaluation (a) Evaluation (b) Silence is a gift worth exploring. Silence helps us remember. We owe much to those who are now silent because of war. We need to be grateful for memory, its gives us and others identity. Remembering helps us make the right choices. Inspirational poem by John McCrea and the reading from Corinthians (in the Christian Bible) centred around trust. In their own class pupils can make their own personal memory box. When they return from the event they can continue to share the reasons why they chose certain items. Pupils in their own time can send a card to mentors who have been an influence for good in their lives. Teachers should, during subsequent exercise time, ask pupils to share happy and sad memorable experiences and enquire, with interest compassion, about them. Teachers should re-iterate that memories are of times past whether good, or bad and should help shape our futures. Relevant staff should meet and engage a sample of class teachers to discern how pupils have responded during the memory box exercise and their recall of the overall assembly experience.

3 The Memory Box Running Order Running Time Pre-event Setup Mins Activity Personnel Resources Action The room will be lit with subdued lighting. This might, if safe to do so, include candles burning. There will be no seats in the hall (this will help an orderly exit and also create a different mood from normal assemblies) The students will be directed in silence to form circles of seven on the floor. U2 s Stuck In A Moment will be played as clips from The Truman Show among others are looped Someone to direct the lighting and also the participants as they arrive Direction as people arrive DVD Player Laptop with Powerpoint U2 CD All That You Can t Leave Behind DVD/Video The Truman Show The Sound of Silence Facilitator Simon & Garfunkel CD Sounds of Silence First World War Poem Reader Act of remembrance and words on screen Facilitator DVD Player/ Laptop with Powerpoint Video: Time and Memory Passing DVD Player Personal time of remembrance Facilitator CD Player, theme music to Braveheart Music In My Life, The Beatles DVD Player Beatles CD, The Beatles: (Red) Paul s song of love 1 Corinthians Reader Lights dim classical music and final ending words DVD Player Students return to class and complete their memory box exercise Teacher

4 The Memory Box Support Materials Introduction Everyone who will take part in these events should be alerted to the fact that this will not be like any normal school assembly. It will call for a willingness from all to participate and prepare for the experience. This advice is in keeping with the spirit of the Curriculum for Excellence, where it is implicit that schools should not look upon this religious observance event as a run-of-the-mill assembly. Many students in High School have difficulty in participating in events along with their peers. The proper use of mood enhancing lightening can creats an ambiance where selfconscious young people are more liable to participate in this kind of event. Schools may even consider producing small flyers advertising the mood and the ethos of the event to ensure the maximum of impact among high school students. Preparation About a week before the event students and staff will be invited by the facilitator to participate in a personal and community act of remembrance. To help to facilitate this all will be asked to prepare their own memory box. This could include pictures and objects that remind them of the people and places that have had an influence for good on their lives. In the box could be included items of religious or sentimental value. A poppy would also be an essential element as it will be used as a familiar symbol of remembrance. Moving to the event On the day of the event those participating will be asked to remove from their box of remembrance the poppy and one other item they wish to use to help them remember. They will be asked to move to the event venue from their classroom in silence carrying the poppy and their personal object. Students will be encouraged to explore their thoughts as they journey to the event in silence! We recognise how difficult this may be however if these types of events are to be held in schools teachers and chaplains and parents will be required to speak about the place of silence in the spiritual life and help to create a learning and understanding basis to allow the practice to be experienced. In order to highlight the value placed on silence all who enter the event will be encouraged to place a value on silence. As they enter the hall they will have the opportunity to make a response to the gift of silence. A collection box will be placed in an obvious position. It should be marked on the box how the funds will be used. Room Layout The room should be lit with subdued lighting. This might include candles burning [after due risk assessment] and schools might be encouraged to purchase a small lighting rig to help facilitate the mood for these kind of events. There should be no seats in the hall (this will help an orderly exit and also create a different mood from normal assemblies)

5 Event The students will be directed in silence to form circles of seven on the floor. U2 s "Stuck in a Moment" will be played as clips from The Truman Show among others are looped. When the music stops. The number 7 means appears on the screen. Seven is the perfect number Powerpoint Text: SILENCE CAN BE COMPLETE IN ITSELF Powerpoint Text: SILENCE IS A SOUND NOT TO BE FEARED BUT EXPLORED! Play sound effect: Wind noises gradually fading Everything on the screen goes black and Sound of Silence is played for about a minute. Powerpoint : abstract shapes and colours appear on the screen. These fade. Powerpoint Text: SILENCE HELPS YOU REMEMBER Play sound effect: The sounds of bullets firing across the room in stereo gets louder and louder then fades into the distance. The first World War poem In Flanders Fields the Poppies Grow by John McCrea either read or pre-recorded: In Flanders Fields In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. Everyone is asked to kneel and place their poppy in the centre of their circle by the facilitator Powerpoint: The following words appear on the screen to the theme music from Braveheart Forgotten Memory Lost Past Future Identity Trust Courage Fear War Hope Peace will appear on a black background on screen. This can be followed by a six-minute video exploring ideas of time and memory passing.

6 The facilitator s voice says: Be glad you can remember. Think of those who can no longer remember. Those who are the living dead. Lost in a world they no longer recognise. Looking for family friends and places no longer in our time. Think of those who are unrecognised And feel sad because they have becomes strangers to those Whom they have loved and who once loved them. In this place of silence we remember... The sad things the happy things the things we never want to forget the things we want others to remember the things we want others to forget. In this place of silence we will remember Remaining seated everyone is invited to share with the person next to them the object/experience or person they are seeking to remember. This is brought to a close by a short piece of music played by the Beatles entitled "In My Life." Followed by the Song of Love, read from Corinthians 13 The lights are dimmed again On the screen with appropriate classical style music the words: Powerpoint Text: REMEMBERING HELPS US TO SHAPE THE CHOICES WE MAKE IN THE PRESENT AND IN THE FUTURE. THOUGH FATHER AND MOTHER AND BROTHER FORSAKE YOU YET I WILL REMEMBER YOU! Silence. The lights are back up again. The groups return to their classrooms where they can explore in small groups the remainder of the content of their memory boxes. They are also invited to send an encouragement card, or a thank you card to someone who has influenced them for the good.