Knowing P.114

Knowing

"Stella once teased me that elephants are more superior because they feel more joy and more grief than apes."

"Right now I would give all of the yogurt raisins in all of the world for a heart made of ice."


Can animals be sad, depressed, lonely, bored, or jealous? Are these human emotions that we project on them? Is it convenient for us to believe that animals don't feel the same way that we experience pain, sadness, grief, or joy? Why?

If you do feel that animals feel genuine emotions what implications might that have? Do all animals feel these emotions or is this ability connected to intelligence? What evidence has led you to this conclusion? Read this article about the brain of a killer whale to give you some insight.


I have included a link to koko.org. It is an article and video about a San Francisco gorilla, Koko, that can communicate through sign language and it shows her reaction to the news that her good friend Robin Williams had died. Have your views on animals feeling emotions changed?

Cage vs. Domain P.111 & P.165

Stella to Ivan: p.111: 

"I've never asked for a promise before, because promises are forever, and forever is an unusually long time when you're in a cage."

"Domain," I correct.

Ruby and Ivan: p. 165

"Ruby taps her trunk against the rusty iron bars of her door. 'Do you think,' she asks, 'that I'll die in this domain someday, like Aunt Stella?'

Once again I consider lying, but when I look at Ruby, the half-formed words die in my throat. 'Not if I can help it,' I say instead.

I felt something tighten in my chest, something dark and hot. 'And it's not a domain,' I add.

I pause and then I say it. 'It's a cage.'"


At the beginning of the story the author defines a domain as a territory. A cage is defined as  a structure of bars or wires in which birds or other animals are confined.


There are connotative and denotative meanings to these words, similar to the way that the words "house" and "home" have different meanings. The connotative meaning of “home” is a place of security, comfort, and family. When Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz says, “There’s no place like home,” she’s not referring to its denotation, but the emotions “home” evokes for her and most people. A denotative meaning is the literal meaning of a word, the dictionary version. Remember this because Denotative/Dictionary are both "D" words. Connotative meanings involve shared feelings and emotions that the words carries with it.  

Although "cage" may be a synonym for "domain", it has a different connotative meaning. In the examples from The One and Only Ivan, does the word "cage" have a positive, negative, or neutral connotation? What is the connotative meaning of cage? Earlier in the story Ivan corrected Bob when he called their "domain" a "cage". Now Ivan has changed his thinking, and he is correcting Ruby. What do you think has caused him to change the way he feels about his "home"?

Watch this video about connotative and denotative word meanings.  Can you make a better video explaining connotative and denotative word meanings using "cage" and "domain" as examples?

The Arrival p.68-70

The Arrival

Following Ruby's arrival, Ivan thinks: "I am glad for Stella. But when I glance at her, I see she is not glad at all." Why do you think Stella is conflicted about Ruby joining them? Why might she be happy to have Ruby there? Why might it also make her sad? 


Watch the book trailer for The One and Only Ivan. Does this give you any clues as to why Stella may have mixed feelings about Ruby's arrival?

Not Sleepy P.51-53

Asking Follow-up Questions:

Remember that it is important to interact with each other and grow the conversation. You can grow the conversation by asking follow-up questions:

• Why do you think that?
  
  
• What's your evidence?
  
  
• What do you mean by...?
  
  
• Could you give me an example or an analogy to explain that?
  
  
• How does this relate to...(our topic may be a book or an event)?
  
  
• How would you respond to those that say...?
  
  
• Could you rephrase that? I don't understand.
  
  

Give it a try! Respond to the prompt that follows this text taken from our reading of "The One and Only Ivan". Make sure you support your conclusion with evidence, you will know if you didn't explain your reasoning very well based on the follow up questions from your classmates. Once others have responded to the prompt as well, read your classmates responses and ask follow-up questions.

Remember: Stay relevant, be civil, re-read and re-think before you submit.


In today's reading, Ivan can't sleep, even though he is tired. Something seems to be bothering him. Stella suggests that he think of a happy day. 


Read this excerpt from p. 51-53:

"Stella," I say after Julia and her father go home, "I can't sleep."

"Of course you can," she says. "You are the king of sleepers."

"Shh," says Bob from his perch on my belly. "I'm dreaming about chili fries."

"I'm tired," I say, "but I'm not sleepy."

"What are you tired of?" Stella asks.

I think for a while. It's hard to put into words. Gorillas are not complainers. We're dreamers, poets, philosophers, nap takers.

"I don't know exactly." I kick at my tire swing. "I think I may be a little tired of my domain."

"That's because it's a cage," Bob tells me.

Bob is not always tactful.

"I know," Stella says. "It's a very small domain."

"And you're a very big gorilla," Bob adds.

"Stella?" I ask.

"Yes?"

"I noticed you were limping more than usual today. Is your leg bothering you?"

"Just a little," Stella answers.

I sigh. Bob resettles. His ears flick. He drools a bit, but I don't mind. I'm used to it.

"Try eating something," Stella says. "That always makes you happy."

I eat an old brown carrot. It doesn't help, but I don't tell Stella. She needs to sleep.

"You could try remembering a good day," Stella suggests. That's what I do when I can't sleep."

Stella remembers every moment since she was born: every scent, every sunset, every slight, every victory.

You know I can't remember much," I say.

"There's a difference," Stella says gently, "between 'can't remember' and 'won't remember'."

"That's true," I admit. Not remembering can be difficult, but I've had a lot of time to work on it. 

"Memories are precious," Stella adds. They help tell us who we are..."


Respond: What does this passage reveal about Ivan's character? be sure to include details from the text to support your conclusion.

What Does It Mean to Be a Gorilla?

I'd like to start a list of all of the characteristics of a gorilla, according to Ivan. Will you help me make a list? I know I have missed some already. If you think of one add it in the comments section.

p.162   "Gorillas are terrible liars."

p. 126  "He was everything a silverback is meant to be: a guide, a teacher, a protector."

p. 3   "Gorillas are patient."

p. 51    "Gorillas are not complainers."

The Real Ivan: Separating Fact From Fiction

Separating Fact from Fiction:  Make a 2-column notes chart for fiction/reality and add to it as we are reading the book when you notice details that are based on the real Ivan or something that was made up to enhance the story in some way. When you are finished with your notes, come back to this page and respond to this post: Compare the real Ivan to The One and Only Ivan. 

KATHERINE APPLEGATE ON THE REAL IVAN

The Real Ivan

The Real Ivan

A class set up a google  hangout with the people at zoo Atlanta, who were Ivan's caretakers for the later part of his life. Watch this interview to get to know the real gorilla from The One and Only Ivan.

I am also sharing with you my notes that I took during the "hangout". Please feel free to add to my notes in the comment section after you watch the video and notice information that I have missed.

• Ivan is a Silverback Gorilla that likes cartoons, toys, piano, painting, and the color red.
  
  
• When Ivan is mad he communicates by throwing his toy piano.
  
  
• Ivan was raised by humans.
  
  
• Although he is 8-10 times stronger than a human, he can be very gentle and use a tiny tea cup.
  
  
• Ivan had a lot of friends at zoo Atlanta but before coming to Atlanta he spent most of his life alone in a shopping mall zoo in Washington.
  
  
• Ivan tends to prefer the company of humans and is shy and submissive around other gorillas.
  
  
• At zoo Atlanta he lived in a 1.5 acre "domain" with green grass and climbing structures.
  
  
• He loves to eat watermelon and strawberries.
  
  
• He does not like cold weather or getting his hands wet and will put a burlap sack down on the ground to sit on if the weather isn't to his liking.
  
  
• Ivan is 6 feet tall.
  
  
• He came from the Central African Republic.
  
  
• He likes stuffed animals.
  
  
• Ivan taps on doors when he wants to go outside, bites at his wrists when he's upset, and sometimes has tantrums.
  
  

Read more about the real Ivan: Meet 'Ivan': The Gorilla Who Lived In A Shopping Mall