Promoting Critical Literacy with The Ugly Duckling
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The Ugly Duckling Fairy Tale: Wisdom and Hidden Assumption
One of my all-time favorite fairy tales is "The Ugly Duckling", the story of a scorned and laughed at duckling who eventually comes to realize he is a swan. Think of the lessons the story teaches: There is value in perseverance and in simple goodness. Someday bullying will end, and a little duck -- or child -- will find their place, their niche, their beauty. Not bad for a quick little read-aloud! But even "The Ugly Ducking" has waters that are best not swum alone. Points to ponder: Are goodness and beauty related? Can you recognize one by the other? And does one have to sprout a long, graceful neck by the last page?
On this page, I will introduce you to some resources for exploring these and other themes from Hans Christian Andersen's "The Ugly Duckling".
Beautiful or Beautifully?
Discussions and Mini-Lessons prompted by The Ugly Duckling
'Beautiful' is an adjective; 'beautifully' is an adverb. It's a point of grammar, and also an exploration in values that calls to mind the old saying, "Pretty is as pretty does." What's the difference between being beautiful and doing something beautifully? Which of those things is more important -- and in what contexts? Discuss. Prompt your child to give real-world or literary examples. Substantiating opinions with concrete example is a skill well worth developing -- if your child begins practicing that skill now, writing courses will not seem so daunting when s/he's older.
And do find time for a bit of in-context grammar! Brainstorm things that can be done beautifully.
The Ugly Duckling: Multimedia Teaching Ideas
Create Your Own Multimedia Representation of Learning
Children can also explore the concept of beauty through the online poster creation tool Glogster.
A Caldecott Honor Book Version
Perhaps your child would like to create a version of his or her own? Don't forget to discuss the concept of public domain works!
The Ugly Duckling (Caldecott Honor Book)
Amazon Price: $9.45 (as of 02/18/2012)
This is a beautifully illustrated retelling of the classic story. The author has created charming facial expressions as well as general realism. You'll see a silver colored Caldecott medal on the cover.
Ducks and Swans
Writing Prompt
These ducks and swans are hanging out in a flooded potato field... but it might be more fun to have your child tell what s/he thinks is happening in the picture. Challenge your child to tell about the setting, characters, and what's happening in the story.
Read The Ugly Duckling Online
And personalize the story
- The Ugly Duckling (on Meegenius)
- Audio and text allows children to read along online. The words are highlighted as they're pronounced. You can personalize the story with the name of the child, mother etc.
Hans Christian Andersen and the Ugly Duckling
The Ugly Duckling: Musical Versions... With a Twist
The second is a homemade movie featuring real ducks. The ugly duck looks just the same at the end as the beginning, but he has determined he's beautiful. He is an ugly duck in a way -- but also a very charming tail-wagger. I think this second one does a great job of showing... hey, maybe someone doesn't need to turn into a swan.
A Beautiful Swan?
Was the duck in the above music video a beautiful swan?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byAbsolutely! That duck was one beautiful swan!
RenaissanceWoman2010 says:
What a lovely video. The swan's beauty lives within.
Posted December 23, 2011
nancycarol says:
I loved the story of The Ugly Duckling as told by Hans Christian Anderson, and I also loved the movie with Danny Kaye. I think it tells a wonderful story of how beauty is in the eye of the beholder and teaches that we should not judge too quickly...the old "book by the cover," sort of thing. But then, that's probably my childhood speaking, because my Dad read fairy tales to me.
Posted May 29, 2011
resabi says:
Certainly he is. Inner beauty trumps outer -- although that also depends on the ability of the beholder to recognize same...
Posted August 09, 2010
Those aren't the words I would have chosen.
Hans Christian Anderson: The Musical
Hans Christian Andersen
Amazon Price: $39.94 (as of 02/18/2012)
This heartwarming 1952 musical is based on the life of Hans Christian Andersen. If you enjoyed the clip above -- the musical version of "The Ugly Duckling" -- you'll want to watch the whole film with your family -- or with your class of kindergarten or elementary students.
The Ugly Duckling Metaphor in Music
For Older Students
Teaching Resources for the Ugly Duckling
- Read The Ugly Duckling Online (Abridged Version For Younger Students)
- "The Ugly duckling" is of course public domain. Read an online version here.
- Read The Ugly Duckling Online
- This is the original by Hans Christian Andersen, also available to read for free online. (How about comparing and contrasting versions?)
- Speakaboos: Listen and Watch
- Enjoy the online storybook from Speakaboos. Coming soon: the opportunity to record your own version!
- Theater Activity and Printables
- Act out The Ugly Duckling with resources from Blue Apple Printables
- More Critical Literacy Explorations
- Explore critical literacy concepts with another picture book: Christina Katerina and the Box.
- Story Games Lesson Plans: The Ugly Duckling
- Students discuss and extend the ugly duckling story by discussing bullying and by writing a new ending for the story.
- Scholastic
- Create an Ugly Duckling mini-book to read -- from Scholastic.
- Preschool Activities
- Here are preschool activities and printables for The Ugly Duckling -- from First School.
- ESL printable
- Use this printable activity sheet for retelling The Ugly Duckling in an ESL setting.
- Listen online
- Visit Story Home to listen to tales by Hans Christian Andersen.
Swan Origami
Fold an Origami Swan
... And Duck
- Origami Swan Instructions
- Instructions for folding an origami swan.
- Origami Duck Family
- Watch this video to lean how to fold simple origami ducks.
More Critical Literacy: Wolves in Fairy Tales
Another Look at the Ugly Duckling Myth
Also For Older Students
Anne of Green Gables (Children's Classics)
Amazon Price: $3.95 (as of 02/18/2012)
Some themes show up again and again. This classic story lacks the the theme of severe bullying -- but, like so many stories, it presents a girl who seems awkward, ugly, or out-of-place, yet ultimately becomes beautiful in the eyes of the world. What do you think of the portrayal of beauty in this story?
Credits
- Swan Reflection Photo
- The photo in the intro comes from Free Digital Photo, and is licensed for use with attribution.
- Hans Christian Andersen Statue
- Shawnzlea, Flickr Creative Commons.
Thoughts About The Ugly Duckling or Critical Literacy?
Share them here.
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cffutah
Jan 31, 2012 @ 9:29 am | delete
- enjoyed my visit and read here this morning, well done indeed.
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iijuan12
Jan 15, 2012 @ 11:08 pm | delete
- I just taught this book in my K-2 Lit class last week. I wish I had found this lens a week ago. You have some fun ideas!
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iPadGeek
Jan 8, 2012 @ 12:43 am | delete
- Tremendous lens! Quite ready-made for other teachers too. Thanks a ton :)
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RenaissanceWoman2010
Dec 23, 2011 @ 10:16 am | delete
- This is a treasure trove of deeply meaningful, higher order learning resources. What you have conceived of here is impressive and very valuable. Appreciated!
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karmicchristian
Oct 24, 2011 @ 7:26 am | delete
- A very cool resource! Critical thinking and critical literacy are important in all.
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Ugly Duckling Tote Bag
For your library books
For Older Students
Another Story With a Timeless Message
More About Children's Literature and Multimedia
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Hi. I'm a teacher and a writer. One of my passions is stringing words together -- and another is reading them out loud! I enjoy recording audio (publi... more »
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