In short
Themes: democracy; sharing your views; fair decision-making; majority; valuing one another’s opinions.
Summary: This assembly, which is suitable for an act of collective worship, focuses on an old folk tale called 'The Farmer’s Cart' which explores the theme of democracy and listening to the views of others.
Resources: The framework to download / print (pdf) and an image to display of the word 'Democracy'. if your school has a school council display images of it for children to look at as they enter. If your school does not have a school council, images of locally elected representatives might be appropriate - eg MPs or Parish Councillors, etc.
The video
AMY: Hello, I'm Amy, thank you, this is Cole, and we're going to tell you the surprising story of the Farmer's Cart. All done. Brilliant, high five!
Once, there was a farmer and he used the cart to carry their milk every day.
Save some for later, Cole. All aboard.
Shall we go? Very good.
But today, as the farmer was travelling along in his cart, something amazing happened. One of the wheels started to talk. "Look at me, turning around and driving this cart. I'm the bestest, fastest, spinniest wheel ever. Without me, this cart would just be a box. I'm in charge and I want to go faster!"
Then, something just as amazing happened. The bolt that was holding the wheel together talked back. "Excuse me, wheel, the other parts of the cart are just as important as you."
But the bolt hadn't finished talking yet. "Lots of us other parts of the cart are feeling very tired and want to rest." [YAWNS] "I'm tired of being pulled," said the handle. "And I'm tired of being leaned on," said the wood.
Even the other wheels were tired. "We're so tired of turning, turning, turning." [YAWN] "See, I may be only little, but everyone is important. I say we should have a vote. Who wants to go, and who wants to stop?"
"I want to stop."
"I want to stop."
"We want to stop."
AMY: But, the wheel ignored the bolt and the other parts of the cart and kept on going even faster.
"I don’t have to listen to a tiny bolt or any other parts of the cart. I'm the wheel. What I say is much more important. Now, I'm busy driving the farmer and his milk. Faster! Faster!"
Well, the bolt did not like that one bit. "How dare that wheel! There's only one of him and lots of us. Well, we may be smaller than the wheel, but what we say still matters."
So, the bolt decided to teach the wheel a lesson. The bolt pushed until eventually she popped out of the cart completely. Well, the wheel didn't notice at first, but then, suddenly, the wheel came off too.
[GASPS] The farmer couldn't believe what had happened! And that's when the wheel realised something.
"I should've listened to that bolt. Without all the other parts of the cart, I can't go anywhere. I'm sorry."
"We forgive you, wheel, but remember next time that everyone is important. All us parts should listen to each other. That's fair." Well, the wheel listened to what the other parts of the cart had to say and they all agreed to have a long, well-earned rest.
Thank you, Cole, for helping tell today's treasure story. It was based on an old folk tale. See you again soon, bye!
The story of The Farmer’s Cart is a fable. A fable is a story that has a moral or simple learning that can be applied to life.
This story focuses on the value of democracy and explores how important it is for everyone to have a chance to have their voice heard.
The farmer in the story has a cart for transporting milk. One day, the parts of the cart start to speak up about how they are feeling. Not all the parts are in agreement!
This fable can help us to reflect on the value of democracy and what can happen if we give everyone a chance to share their view and contribute to decision-making. It also touches on the idea that democracy means not everyone always gets what they want.
Video questions
- What amazing thing happened when the farmer was travelling? (One of the wheels started to talk)
- What did the wheel want to do? (Go faster)
- What was the handle tired of? (Being pulled)
- What did the bolt do to teach the wheel a lesson? (The bolt pushed until she popped out of the cart)
- What happened next? (The wheel fell off)
Key links
Assembly framework (pdf) document
Download / print the assembly framework ready for use
Democracy. image
Click to display image full size
Suggested framework
1. Entry
As the children gather display the photos of school council / elected representatives.
2. Introduction
Ask children how these people were chosen. Discuss the way elections happen in your school and the different systems you have in place for children to share their views.The theme of this assembly is democracy. Gather some ideas from the children about what this means.Ask: I wonder if you can think of a time when you have had a chance to share your opinion? Did everyone agree? How did that make you feel?
Explain that everyone will watch a story now - see what happens when people share their views.
3. The video
Play the video. The duration is 4’ 04” and the final words are: 'See you again soon, bye!'
4. After the video - Time to talk
Lead a discussion about the story by asking all or some of the following questions:
- What did you think when you heard the wheel speak?
- What did you think about the wheel’s opinion?
- Did you think everyone would agree with the wheel? Why?
- Do you think the bolt was brave? Why?
- How did you feel when the bolt shared her opinion?
- Why do you think all the other parts of the cart started to speak up?
- The bolt suggests the parts of the cart have a vote. What do you think of this idea? Why?
- The wheel ignored the other parts of the cart and carried on moving. What words would you use to describe the wheel?
You could pause the video after Amy says 'So the bolt decided to teach the wheel a lesson' and ask the children what they think the bolt might do next. What happens when one part of the cart is not working or is in the wrong place?
5. Opportunity to sing
Suggestions from BBC collections below.
6. Opportunity for reflection
Close your eyes for a moment…
Think about a time when your view differed to the views of those around you…
Think about the story of 'The Farmer’s Cart' when the bolt spoke up against the wheel…
Now picture yourself feeling courageous and sharing your opinion, even though others may not hold the same view…
I wonder how you feel now…?
Next time you have a chance to share your view, have the courage to give it a go…because democracy means that everyone should have the chance to have their voice heard.
7. Opportunity for prayer
Begin with your usual form of address ('Dear God', 'Dear Lord', 'Let us pray', etc) and:
Thank you for the story of 'The Farmer’s Cart', teaching us the value of democracy.
Thank you that, even though we are small, our voice still matters.
Help us to remember that the views of those around us are important, especially if their views are different to our own.
If we know that something is wrong, give us the courage to speak up to make a positive change.
Amen.
Suggested songs
'Our school' - All about our school, no 9 (© Kate Walker / BBC)
In our school
We work together,
Yes, in our school
We try to help each other
Make our school
A happy place to be.In our school
We think of others,
Yes, in our school
We try to help each other
Make our school
A happy place to be.In our school
We make good friends,
Yes, in our school
We try to help each other
Make our school
A happy place to be.In our school
We work together,
Yes, in our school
We try to help each other
Make our school
A happy place to be.
In our school
A happy place to be!
'Together' (All about our school, no 13).
- Work together, not alone,
Gather round and share a problem.
Work together, hand in hand,
Gather round and work things out.
Chorus
‘Cos together, we can work it out together,
We can ride the stormy weather,
As long as we’re together we’re strong!
- There’s a setback, don’t despair,
Gather round and share your feelings.
Why just worry on your own?
Gather round and work things out.
Chorus
- If there’s trouble big or small,
Gather round and find an answer.
If you stumble there’s a friend,
Gather round and work things out.
Chorus
'Build up' (All about our school, no 12)
Verse 1:
Every word you say, (wo-oh)
Every game you play, (wo-oh)
Every silly face, (wo-oh)
Every single place, (wo-oh)
You can build up,
spoken 1, 2, 3, 4, 5!
Or you can tear down.
Chorus:
Build up one another,
Build up your sisters and brothers,
Build up one another,
Build up!
Verse 2:
Every joke you tell, (wo-oh)
Every name you spell, (wo-oh)
Everywhere you go, (wo-oh)
Everyone you know, (wo-oh)
You can build up,
spoken 1, 2, 3, 4, 5!
Or you can tear down.
Chorus:
Build up one another,
Build up your sisters and brothers,
Build up one another,
Build up!
Build up!
Build up!
