The One and Only Ivan

“The One and Only Ivan”by Katherine Applegate

Applegate, Katherine.. The One and Only Ivan. New York: Harper Collins, 2012.

Lexile:570
 Recommended for: Grades 3-5

Selling Tool: Book Talk

Summary: This is a fiction story based on the real life of a gorilla named Ivan. Ivan is a silverback gorilla who lives in a mall and sees life through a glass window. He likes to draw but does it because he becomes bored being held captive in a Shopping Mall Arcade. Ivan spent 27 years being held captive either in a cage or behind a glass instead of living in his natural habitat. This book focuses on the struggles with self identify and self worth-which begs the reader to understand that no matter the situation that you’re in life, it is okay to be yourself and to be yourself to the best of your ability no matter what the odds are against you.

Activity: Animal Rights - this lesson will take a few classes to complete

This book would be great to use for a third grader reading above grade level to apply to a creating a Public Service Announcement on Animal Rights through written essay and student created IMovie.  Students will read this book and research the real Ivan’s story as well as regulations for animal rights in the United States.

Students will research and take notes through the use of a graphic organizer. They will develop their thoughts into a written essay on the Importance of Animal Rights and use Ivan’s life story (as details) from the text and independent research to support their claim.

Students will then create their own IMovie PSA on the importance of Animal Rights. We will share and present to other peers.

Learning Outcome: Students will read this novel and take a stand of action in support for Animal Rights. They will use details of Ivan’s life from the text and their own research to create a public service announcement in the form of an essay and a student created IMovie to present to other peers on the issue.

Learning Objectives:

• Students will write an essay using three or more details (from text or research) in support of  Animal Rights (Cognitive).
• Students will create an IMovie public service announcement presenting  their findings (Cognitive, Psychomotor).

  Assessments:

• Student essays with 3 or more details of evidence to support claim (either from text or independent research)
• Student create IMovies assessed by a rubric

Standards:

NYS Common Core:

Key Ideas and Details: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.1

Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.2

Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

AASL:

2.3.1 Connect understanding to the real world.

1.1.5 Evaluate information found in selected sources on the basis of accuracy, validity, appropriateness for needs, importance, and social and cultural context.

2.3.3 Use valid information and reasoned conclusions to make ethical decisions.

Information Literacy Continuum:

3.3 Uses bookmarked Websites to find appropriate information.