The One and Only Ivan (4-6)

Inspired by the novel “The One and Only Ivan” by K.A. Applegate, this program compares the life of Ivan from the story to our gorilla troop here at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. We will be discussing themes of the book; therefore it is best if students have finished the book or movie prior to arriving for the program. We will guide students through the process of analyzing the question, “What is the role of modern accredited zoos?” through initial brainstorming, thoughtful discussion, and observation of the gorilla residents and their habitat.

**Students should be familiar with the story of Ivan. Ideally classes have completed the novel, the short story book, or have watched the film. This program contains spoilers.

Length: 90 minutes
Program times: 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m.
Maximum students: 32
Cost:

• October-March: $240
• April-June: $295

Register Now

Curricular Connections

Grade 3

• Living Systems:
  • Demonstrate respectful and safe practices during observations of plants and animals in local environments.

Grade 4

• Living Systems:
  • Demonstrate respect when interacting with plants and animals in local environments.
• Earth Systems:
  • Describe examples of personal actions that contribute to conservation in daily life.

 Grade 6

• Living Systems:
  • Examine ways that plants and animals rely on each other to meet their needs.

Cross-Curricular Connections

Grade 3:

• Make connections between a text and personal feelings, experiences, or background knowledge (ELA).
• Make connections between tests and ideas that relate to past, present, or future world events (ELA).
• Identify connections between the actions, feelings, or motives of a character and evidence in text (ELA).

Grade 4:

• Examine connections between texts and self, between a text and other texts, and between texts and the world (ELA).
• Reflect on personal connections to a text that best support understandings (ELA).

Grade 5:

• Describe characters based on what they say, think, or do or what others say and think about them (ELA).
• Examine how the interests, experiences, or perspectives of a character might influence how that character thinks, feels, and acts (ELA).
• Compare and contrast the varied perspectives of main and supporting characters (ELA).
• Analyze the actions or feelings of characters in stories, considering the context (ELA).
• Examine contextual information about characters or events in fictional texts (ELA).

Grade 6:

• Examine characters based on what they say, think, or do or what others say and think about them (ELA).
• Connect perspectives reflected in texts to personal experiences (ELA).
• Analyze factors that cause characters in text to change their perspectives (ELA).
• Share how considering differences in perspectives can develop empathy (ELA).
• Identify how consideration of others’ perspectives contributes to empathy (Wellness).

On-Site Program Information and FAQ