The Ugly Duckling

The Ugly Duckling is a fairy-tale written by Hans Christian Andersen in 1843. It is one of the authors best known works and has been retold and adapted many times. It tells the story of a duckling who looks different to his brothers and sisters and is mocked for his appearance. The duckling is rejected by his family and ridiculed by all those who meet him.

# Learning objectives

1: To retell the story as a sequence of events.{.info}

2: To identify the key messages from the story.{.info}

# Who was the Ugly Duckling?{.objective .objective1}

In this activity students are asked to explore the nest and look for the differences between the eggs. What makes the ugly duckling different to the other ducklings? Why did the mother duck change her mind about the ugly duckling?

# Why was the Ugly Duckling rejected?{.objective .objective2}

In this section the duckling is made aware of his difference and is mocked by the other animals. His mother despite accepting him initially, now rejects him. In this activity students are asked to consider why the duckling leaves the nest and encouraged to consider effects of this rejection. Why do they think the duckling left? How do they think the duckling feels?

# How did the Ugly Duckling Transform?{.objective .objective3}

The duckling spends a cold winter alone. When spring arrives, the duckling looks at his reflection in the water and sees that he has become a swan himself. The swans accept him into their group. In this activity students are encouraged to empathise with the duckling as he discovers his transformation. How do they think the duckling felt when he saw his reflection? What lesson do they think he could teach the other animals in the story?

# Teacher Resources

**Download Teacher Notes**

[](https://data.avncloud.com/activities/793245/files/The%20Ugly+Duckling+Teacher+Notes+1.pdf?date=1677058068&size=1448284&md5=d19389dc5923f215b2dc7390c7938ce3)

**Student Quiz Answers Document**

[](https://data.avncloud.com/activities/793248/files/The%20Ugly+Duckling+Teacher+Notes+2.pdf?date=1677058152&size=877780&md5=0d1f8d503c722a6b9fe8ea596980db43)

**Download Student Quiz Document**

[](https://data.avncloud.com/activities/793249/files/The%20Ugly+Duckling+Teacher+Notes+3.pdf?date=1677058272&size=78995&md5=40f34193b72fcedc95a6a58cfeaea722)