📖

My Response to Ivan's Story

Hope, Freedom, and Resolution in Ivan

Day 109of 180
Week 22of 36
30Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Write a literary response about The One and Only Ivan

2

Use textual evidence to support personal observations

3

Practice organizing thoughts in a clear written format

📖 Scripture Connection

Proverbs 31:8-9

“Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

— Proverbs 31:8-9 (WEB)

Just as Ivan spoke up for Ruby and the other animals, we can use our voice to help those who cannot speak for themselves

📦 Materials Needed

  • Essay planning template
  • Pencils
  • Lined writing paper
  • The One and Only Ivan book
  • Colored pencils or markers
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Review key moments from The One and Only Ivan, highlighting themes of hope and freedom

💭 Review Question: What did Ivan do to help Ruby?
2Teaching (10 min)

Explain how to write a literary response by selecting a favorite character, theme, or moment from the book

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Choose something that really touched your heart
  • Use specific examples from the book
  • Explain why this part is meaningful to you
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • What made Ivan's story special to you?
  • How did Ivan show courage?
  • What did you learn about friendship from the book?
3Activity: Ivan Story Response (10 min)
writing

Students will write a personal response to the book using the provided essay planning template

📝 Instructions:
  1. Choose your topic (character, theme, or moment)
  2. Fill out the planning template
  3. Write 3-4 sentences explaining your thoughts
  4. Draw a small illustration to go with your writing
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Use sentence starters on the template

Challenge: Add a second paragraph with more detail

4Closing (5 min)

Share responses with a partner or small group

📝 Review Questions:
  • What was the most important thing you learned from Ivan?
  • How can we show kindness like Ivan did?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for showing us how to be brave and kind, just like Ivan. Help us to stand up for others and show love. Amen.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll create art projects inspired by Ivan's story

💎 Memory Verse

Proverbs 31:8

“Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.”

— Proverbs 31:8 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Pass the Word - students toss a soft ball while repeating parts of the verse

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

The lesson focuses on personal reflection and literary response skills

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Encourage creativity in response
  • Help child focus on specific details from the book
  • Validate their personal connections to the story
🤔 Common Struggles:

Some children might find it challenging to express their thoughts in writing

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Clear connections between book events and personal reflection

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Create a comic strip showing Ivan's journey
  • Write a letter to one of the book's characters
  • Design a poster about animal kindness

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 110 →Back to Literature