Treasure Champs. 2: Teamwork - 'Asuras and Devas'

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In short...

Themes: Sanatana Dharma; teamwork; compassion; empathy; respect.

Summary: This assembly, which is suitable for an act of collective worship, focuses on a story from the Hindu tradition which tells of the competing Asuras and Devas, who ask the Creator, Lord Brahma, ‘Who is the best?’

Resources:The assembly framework to download / print (pdf); an image to display showing the word 'Teamwork'. Also be ready to display the image of geese flying in V formation and / or some building blocks. You might also like to source a large empty cardboard roll which can easily fit a child’s arm, but will not allow them to bend at the elbow. See the video for context.

The video

This story is from the Hindu tradition, from the Puranas linked with avatars of Vishnu.

The Asuras and Devas were all born from the Creator, Brahma, but have been in endless battles with each other. One day they approach Brahma to find out who is the best. Brahma invites them for a meal the next day, when he will give them his answer. One side dined on the Eastern Side and the other on the Western Side, so they couldn’t actually see each other. Just before the food was served, Brahma made it so that their hands couldn’t reach their mouths (shown in the video with cardboard tubes). Eventually the Devas worked out that they could feed each other, so they worked together as a team. Meanwhile the Asuras went tired and hungry.

Brahma explained that those who think about themselves will never be happy but those who care for others will find peace and are the best. This can help us to reflect on the value of teamwork.

Video questions

1. What does it mean to show togetherness? (Working together; thinking of others before yourself; completing a task together; being part of the same team)
2. Why do you think it was better to be part of a united team? (Devas helped each other and in doing so they succeeded, rather than acting as individuals like the Asuras)
3. Why did Brahma say that the Devas were the better army? (They thought of others; worked together; showed compassion; and shared a joint aim)
4. How are the children in the video showing that they are in a great team? (Taking it in turns; feeding each other; being patient)

Key links

Suggested framework

1. Entry
Display the image of geese in V formation (see Key links). As the children enter, ask some to use the building blocks to build a basic wall. Each child needs a specific job to do, so that they will demonstrate teamwork.

2. Introduction
Once children are settled ask them how both these examples demonstrate teamwork. What is teamwork? What is great teamwork? What would be your top five tips for great teamwork (eg communication, leadership, thinking of others, shared vision, taking it in turns, etc). Explain that they are now going to watch a video of a story that will demonstrate great teamwork.

3. Play the video
The duration is 3' 06" and the final words are: ‘I'll see you again next time. Bye!'

4. After the video: Time to talk
Lead a discussion with the assembly relating the video to the children’s own experiences:

• What activities do pupils do in teams?
• Which skills are they developing and which are they finding tricky?
• How do you get better at these skills?
• Look at the example of the geese in more detail. Think about how they support each other, how they take it in turn to lead, fly in a V formation to make it easier for the ones behind, how they have a shared goal for migration.
• Think back to the story of the Asuras and Devas. What can we learn from that story?

5. Opportunity to sing:
Suggestions from BBC collections below.

6. Opportunity to reflect
Think about your favourite team activity. It might be a sports team, a game you like to play with friends, working on a piece of art with a group, or any ideas of your own. What are the teamwork skills that the activity needs…?
Are you a good team player?
How can you be an even better member of a team?
Think about other members in your team for a moment. What could you do for them?
Sometimes working as a team can be hard; sometimes you have to be patient; take turns and listen to others. You just need to keep working together and keep looking out for one another.

7. Opportunity for prayer:
Begin with your usual form of address (‘Dear God’, ‘Let us pray’, etc) and:
Thank you for the opportunities which we have to work in teams and to spend time with our friends.
Thank you that we are all different and have different skills to bring to our teams.
Help us to be great team players, to always support each other, take it in turns and to work hard to achieve our goals.
Amen.

Suggested songs

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