📖

Ruby Arrives: A Character's New Purpose

Relationships and Change in Ivan

Day 101of 180
Week 21of 36
30Minutes
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Learning Objectives

1

Analyze how Ruby's arrival changes Ivan's perspective

2

Identify character motivations and relationships

3

Understand the concept of compassion and purpose

Philippians 2:4

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:4 (WEB)

Demonstrates how caring for others can change our perspective and purpose, just like Ruby changes Ivan's view of life

📦 Materials Needed

  • The One and Only Ivan book
  • Colored pencils
  • Relationship web graphic organizer
  • Journal or writing paper

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather students and discuss what they remember about Ivan's life before Ruby arrived. Ask them to share what they know about how animals or people can change when someone new enters their life.

💭 Review Question: What do you think makes someone want to help another person or animal?
2Teaching (10 min)

Today we'll explore how Ruby's arrival changes Ivan's world. We'll read selected passages showing Ivan's initial reaction to Ruby and how his protective instincts begin to develop.

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Ivan was initially just surviving in his small space
  • Ruby represents innocence and hope
  • Caring for others can give us a new sense of purpose
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • How does Ivan first feel about Ruby?
  • What makes Ivan start to care about Ruby?
  • How is caring for someone else different from just caring about yourself?
3Activity: Relationship Web Mapping (10 min)
hands-on

Students will create a graphic organizer showing the relationships between Ivan, Ruby, Stella, and Bob, using different colored lines to represent different types of connections.

📝 Instructions:
  1. Draw a circle in the center of the paper
  2. Write Ivan's name in the center circle
  3. Draw additional circles for other characters
  4. Use colored lines to connect characters
  5. Write brief notes about how characters relate to each other
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Pre-draw connection lines for students to fill in

Challenge: Add emotional descriptors to connection lines

4Closing (5 min)

Reflect on how helping others can change our own perspective and give us a sense of purpose.

📝 Review Questions:
  • What did you learn about friendship today?
  • How can caring for others make our lives more meaningful?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for showing us that caring for others is important. Help us to be kind and compassionate like Ivan learning to care for Ruby.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll explore how friendships can happen in unexpected ways.

Philippians 2:4

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:4 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Pass the Word - Children stand in a circle and toss a soft ball, with each catch requiring the child to say the next word of the verse

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

This lesson focuses on character development and empathy through the lens of Ivan and Ruby's relationship.

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Encourage discussions about caring for others
  • Help child understand complex emotional connections
  • Validate their observations about character relationships
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might find it challenging to articulate emotional nuances in character interactions

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Ability to describe character motivations and emotional changes

Extension Activities

  • Draw a picture of a moment when Ivan shows care for Ruby
  • Write a short story about helping someone unexpected
  • Act out a scene showing compassion between characters

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

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