Analyzing Theme in The One and Only Ivan

Activity Overview

A theme is a central idea, subject, or message in a story. Many stories have more than one important theme. For this activity, students will identify and illustrate the themes in The One and Only Ivan. Teachers may want the students to identify and illustrate 3 themes, one for each cell, or identify one theme, and show three examples of it, one example per cell.

Examples of Themes in The One and Only Ivan

Friendship

The friendship between the animals, and between Julia and the animals, is prevalent throughout the whole story. The friendship between Ivan and Bob is particularly unique because they are so different in so many ways.

Loyalty

When Stella knows she is going to die, Ivan promises to take care of Ruby. Ivan works day and night to keep that promise.

Confinement

Ivan remembers when he was young and his family was captured or killed. He was the only one to survive, only to be confined in a small space for the entertainment of humans.

Loneliness

Many of the characters suffer from loneliness. For example, Mack, the owner, was left by his wife many years ago, and is clearly sad and lonely, and has been for a long time.

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Template and Class Instructions

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Due Date:

Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies 3 recurring themes in The One and Only Ivan. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.

Student Instructions:

Click "Start Assignment".
Identify the themes from The One and Only Ivan you wish to include and write them in the headings.
Create an image for an example that represents this theme using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Write a short description of each of the examples.
Save and exit when you're done.

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Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 4-6

Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)

Type of Assignment Individual

Type of Activity: Themes, Symbols & Motifs

Common Core Standards

[ELA-Literacy/RL/6/2] Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments
[ELA-Literacy/RL/4/2] Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.
[ELA-Literacy/RL/5/2] Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.

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Rubric

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Themes

Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes in the story. Illustrate instances of each and write a short description that explains the example's significance.

	Proficient	Emerging	Beginning
Identify Theme(s)	All themes are correctly identified as important recurring topics or messages in the story.	Some themes are correctly identified, but others are missing or do not make sense with the story.	No themes are correctly identified.
Examples	All examples support the identified themes. Descriptions clearly say why examples are significant.	Most examples fit the identified themes. Descriptions say why examples are significant.	Most examples do not fit the identified themes. Descriptions are unclear.
Depiction	Storyboard cells clearly show connection with the themes and help with understanding.	Most storyboard cells help to show the themes, but some storyboard cells are difficult to understand.	Storyboard cells do not help in understanding the themes.

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More Storyboard That Activities

The One and Only Ivan

Characters

Vocabulary

Plot Summary

Figurative Language

Ivan's Billboard

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