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Treasure Champs. 22: Encouragement - 'The Toad and the Tower'

In short

Themes: Fables; stories with a moral; encouragement; achieving our goals.

Summary: This assembly, which is suitable for an act of collective worship, focuses on a fable called The Toad and The Tower. The assembly explores the value of encouragement.

Resources: and an image to display of .You will also need a few images of crowds holding banners to encourage a sportsperson or team. It could be from the Olympic Games or indeed from any sport.

The video

This story is a fable which is known in a number of different versions. The fable helps us to reflect on the importance of encouragement, especially when confronted with pessimistic onlookers.

In this retelling the toad and the frog reach their goal of climbing to the top of a tower. The frog is discouraged by the other animals’ negative comments, but the encouragement of the toad enables them both to overcome the challenge of the climb to achieve their goal. The moral of the story is that there is power in the words we speak - whether to ourselves (our internal dialogue or inner voice) or to other people. Speaking words of encouragement can make all the difference.

Duration: 4’ 24”

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

Video questions

  1. At the beginning of the story what do the frog and the toad want to do? (Have a race to the top of the tower)
  2. What do the other animals think about the frog and the toad’s plan? (They don't think it's a good idea and they don't offer any encouragement)
  3. How does the toad encourage herself? What happens? (She sings to herself and tries her hardest - and gradually she makes progress)
  4. Why does the frog begin to climb again after he has given up? (He is encouraged by the toad)

Key links

Download / print the assembly framework ready for use

Assembly framework (pdf)

Click for the full size image.

Encouragement

Suggested framework

1. Entry
Play your chosen music and display a few images of crowds holding banners to encourage a sportsperson.

2. Introduction
Show the children the images of supporters' banners. How can you tell they are supporting the athlete or team?
Explain that many people support athletes or teams from their favourite sports. What words would you say to your favourite sports person to encourage them?
Today's story is about offering encouragement - so let’s find out who needs encouragement in the video


3. Play the video
The duration is 4’ 24” and the final words are: ‘See you again soon. Bye!'

4. After the video - Time to talk
You could begin by asking some questions about the story to consolidate pupils' recall of the events:

  • At the beginning of the story what do the frog and the toad want to do? (Race to the top of the tower)
  • What do the other animals think about their plan? (They don't think it's a good idea and they don't offer any encouragement)
  • How does the toad encourage herself? (She sings an encouraging song to herself)
  • Why does the frog begin to climb again after he has given up? (He is encouraged by the toad)
  • How did they feel when they reached the top?

Then lead a discussion about being encouraging by asking the following:

  • What words are encouraging? How do your friends encourage you at school?
  • When do people sometimes find it hard to be encouraging? (The children might talk about fear which stops people believing something is possible)
  • Why is it important to offer encouragement?

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

6. Opportunity for reflection
Let's think about some of the times when we need encouragement

There are times when it can seem difficult to do what we want to do
to achieve what we want to achieve

Think about something you could say to yourself - in your head - that would help you to feel encouraged

Do you know someone who who needs support and encouragement
?
What words could you say to that person - to encourage them and help them to grow in confidence
?
How will you encourage yourself and others today
?

7. Opportunity for prayer
Begin with your usual form of address (‘Dear God’, ‘Let us pray’, etc) and:
Thank you for stories that help us to think about encouragement.
Help us to find the right words when others need encouragement.
Help us to be grateful for those who give us strength through their encouragement.
Amen.

Suggested songs

'Build up' (All about our school, no 12)

Song: 'Give me oil in my lamp' (Come and Praise, no 43. Vocal version)

Song: 'We will grow' (All about our school, no 10)