📖

Friendship in Unlikely Places

Relationships and Change in Ivan

Day 102of 180
Week 21of 36
30Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Analyze different types of friendships in 'The One and Only Ivan'

2

Understand how friendships can develop across different backgrounds

3

Recognize the importance of compassion and understanding

📖 Scripture Connection

Proverbs 17:17

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

— Proverbs 17:17 (WEB)

Illustrates the true meaning of friendship demonstrated by Ivan's relationships

📦 Materials Needed

  • The One and Only Ivan book
  • Friendship web graphic organizer
  • Colored pencils
  • Scissors
  • Construction paper
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather students in a circle and ask them to share about a friend who helped them when they needed support

💭 Review Question: What makes someone a true friend?
2Teaching (10 min)

Explore the friendships between Ivan, Stella, Bob, and Ruby in the story, highlighting how they support and care for each other despite their differences

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Ivan's protective relationship with Ruby
  • Bob's loyalty and humor
  • Stella's maternal care
  • How animals show friendship differently from humans
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • How does Ivan show he cares about Ruby?
  • What makes Bob a good friend to Ivan?
  • Why do you think Stella wants to help Ruby?
3Activity: Friendship Web Craft (10 min)
hands-on

Create a visual representation of the characters' relationships

📝 Instructions:
  1. Draw each character on a piece of paper
  2. Use colored strings or yarn to connect characters
  3. Write how they help or care for each other on the connecting lines
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Pre-draw characters for students to connect

Challenge: Include additional characters and more detailed relationship descriptions

4Closing (5 min)

Reflect on how friendships can cross boundaries and bring hope

📝 Review Questions:
  • What did you learn about friendship today?
  • How can we be a good friend to others?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for showing us that friendship can happen in unexpected ways. Help us to love and care for others, just like Ivan cares for his friends.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll explore Stella's sacrifice and what it teaches us about love

💎 Memory Verse

Proverbs 17:17

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

— Proverbs 17:17 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Friendship Chain - students write words of friendship on paper links

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

The lesson focuses on understanding diverse friendships and compassion

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Encourage discussions about empathy
  • Help children recognize friendship beyond surface differences
  • Discuss how caring for others reflects God's love
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might struggle with understanding cross-species friendships

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Empathy, understanding of different perspectives

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Draw a picture of an unlikely friendship
  • Write a short story about helping a friend in need
  • Research animal friendships in nature

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

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