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Treasure Champs. 7: Creativity: 'The King's Idea'

In short

Themes: Making a plan; problem solving; creativity; imagination; possibilities; finding solutions.

Summary: This assembly, which is suitable for an act of collective worship, focuses on a traditional moral tale about a king who thinks the solution to his painful feet is to cover all the roads and pathways in leather.

Resources: ; an image to display of . You could also have some pairs of shoes to display.

The video

This is a traditional tale with a moral.

A long time ago, there lived a king who had a team of servants. One day, he decided to visit the far away areas of his kingdom, walking barefoot. When they arrived, his feet were very sore as he wasn’t used to the stones and uneven pathways. The king and his servants thought about how to make the next journey less painful. The king had an idea to cover all the pathways in leather, but his servants had a better idea - to cover the king’s feet instead. The king and his servants walked for miles after that, wearing the servants’ creation of
shoes! The king changed himself to listen to and reflect on the ideas of others. This can help us to reflect on the value of creativity.

Duration: 3' 56"

Final words: 'See you again soon! Bye!'

Video questions

  1. Why were the king's feet sore? (The road was long and covered in rocks and the king's feet were bare)
  2. What did the servants think about? (How they could make the walk easier and less painful)
  3. What was the king's idea? (To cover the paths in soft leather)
  4. What was the servant's idea? (To cover the king's feet in leather instead)
  5. What was their creation called? (Shoes)

Key links

Download / print the assembly framework ready for use

Assembly framework (pdf)

Click for the full size image.

Creativity

Suggested framework

1. Entry
Explain that today we are thinking about creativity. Display the image of and show the children the pairs of shoes that you have gathered.

2. Introduction
Ask the assembly: How do you think shoes were first invented and why?
Continue by asking the question: What is creativity? (Imagination to make something new; many possibilities; trying new ways; making things; problem solving.)
Explain that everyone is now going to watch a short video of a story about a king from long, long ago that will help everyone understand the value of creativity.

3. Play the video
The duration is 3’ 56” and the final words are: ‘See you again soon. Bye!'

4. After the video - Time to talk
You could ask some or all of the Video questions (see above) to consolidate children's recall of the story and their understanding of it. Then lead a discussion about creativity by asking:

  • When have you thought really hard and come up with a plan to problem solve or create something new?
  • When have you needed to change your point of view following someone else's ideas?
  • How did that make you feel? (Sometimes it is hard to let go of your own ideas, but you can also learn a lot by listening to others and working together).
  • How are you creative?
  • How many different ways can people communicate? (Take some ideas. All of these were developed by people thinking creatively and taking steps towards an end result.)

5. Opportunity to sing
Suggestions from ±«Óătv collections below.

6. Opportunity for reflection
Think about the last time you solved a problem with a friend or were working in a group

Who had some good ideas for you to all think about?
How did you listen to the ideas of others to help you have a common plan?
Was it your idea which was used, someone else’s or did you combine lots of ideas into one?
How can you be a better team player when thinking creatively?

7. Opportunity for prayer
Dear God,
Thank you for your great creation and your designs for our world.
Thank you for our ability to think, question, reflect and adapt.
Help us to think creatively, to find solutions to problems, to listen to others and appreciate great ideas.
Help us to use our creative skills to live positive lives which help to be willing to change ourselves as well as making a difference for others.
Amen.

Suggested songs

Song: 'Got a bit better' (All about our school, no 11)

'Our school' - All about our school, no 9 (© Kate Walker / ±«Óătv)