📖

Meet Ivan the Gorilla

Beginning The One and Only Ivan

Day 96of 180
Week 20of 36
30Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand first-person point of view

2

Analyze a non-human narrator's perspective

3

Develop listening and comprehension skills

📖 Scripture Connection

Genesis 1:25

“God made the animals of the earth after their kind, and the livestock after their kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind. God saw that it was good.”

— Genesis 1:25 (WEB)

Understanding that all of God's creatures have value and unique perspectives

📦 Materials Needed

  • The One and Only Ivan book
  • Character perspective journal
  • Colored pencils
  • Animal observation worksheet
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Introduce the book The One and Only Ivan, showing the cover and discussing what students might expect from a book narrated by a gorilla

💭 Review Question: What might be different about a story told from an animal's point of view?
2Teaching (10 min)

Begin reading the first chapter, pausing to discuss Ivan's unique perspective and observations

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • First-person narration allows us to see the world through Ivan's eyes
  • Gorillas experience the world differently from humans
  • Every creature has a unique way of understanding their environment
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • How does Ivan describe his home?
  • What seems important to Ivan?
  • How is his view of the world different from ours?
3Activity: Animal Perspective Drawing (10 min)
hands-on

Students draw a scene from an animal's point of view, imagining how they might see the world

📝 Instructions:
  1. Choose an animal to imagine
  2. Draw what they might see from their height and perspective
  3. Write a short description from the animal's point of view
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Draw from a pet's perspective

Challenge: Create a detailed story from the animal's viewpoint

4Closing (5 min)

Reflect on how understanding different perspectives helps us appreciate God's diverse creation

📝 Review Questions:
  • What did you learn about seeing the world differently?
  • How can understanding others' perspectives help us show God's love?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for creating all creatures with unique ways of experiencing the world. Help us to be kind and understanding.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll continue learning about Ivan's life at the mall

💎 Memory Verse

Proverbs 12:10

“A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.”

— Proverbs 12:10 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Animal Care Charades

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

The One and Only Ivan is based on a true story about a gorilla who lived in captivity for many years

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Encourage empathy for animals
  • Discuss responsible animal care
  • Help children understand different perspectives
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might find it challenging to imagine an animal's perspective

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Ability to describe the world from a different point of view

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Research gorillas in the wild
  • Create a habitat map for Ivan
  • Write a diary entry from Ivan's perspective

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 97 →Back to Literature