The Emperor's New Clothes (I)

This ready-to-use KS2 lesson, The Emperor’s New Clothes (I), offers a comprehensive approach to teaching and learning through a well-crafted blend of storytelling, structured activities, and evidence-based strategies. By using the familiar tale of The Emperor’s New Clothes, pupils are introduced to essential Evidence-Based Learning (EBL) skills, including collaboration, critical thinking, peer assessment, and metacognition.

Story Treatment: The lesson starts with pre-reading activities that provide context and key vocabulary, such as “impostor” and “swindler,” ensuring pupils are prepared to engage fully with the story. The narrative is presented in segments, allowing for pauses where pupils can discuss, predict, and immerse themselves in the emperor’s world. This structured approach not only strengthens comprehension but also prompts pupils to explore deeper themes, such as vanity, deception, and the courage to speak the truth.

Engaging Activities:

• Collaborative Group Work: Pupils work in groups with designated roles (chairperson, scribe, presenters) to discuss and predict what happens next in the story. This structure promotes active participation and teaches pupils how to contribute meaningfully in a group setting.
• Character Analysis: The lesson encourages pupils to describe the emperor using four key perspectives: appearance, behaviour, speech, and thoughts/feelings. This activity deepens their understanding of character traits and motivations, reinforcing analytical thinking.
• Peer Assessment: A peer review process allows pupils to evaluate each other’s work, fostering constructive feedback and collaborative learning.
• Metacognitive Reflection: Pupils are guided to reflect on their learning process through metacognitive activities, enhancing their ability to understand and improve their thinking skills.

The iconic conclusion of the story, where a child reveals the emperor’s folly, is used as a springboard for class discussions about the story’s moral, emphasizing the value of honesty, resisting peer pressure, and having the courage to speak up.

Teacher Support: The lesson includes a five-minute CPD activity focusing on the importance of collaboration, supported by research that highlights the benefits of cooperative learning for both educational and workplace success.

This lesson is an excellent resource for teachers looking to integrate storytelling with skill-building, fostering an environment where pupils develop key learning skills through enjoyable and hands-on engagement.