The One and only Ivan coloring pages
By MARISSA DESPINS Updated April 19, 2024
Coloring Fun with “The One and Only Ivan”
Welcome to the vibrant and imaginative world of “The One and Only Ivan”, where students can bring the touching story of Ivan and his friends to life through the joy of coloring. These coloring pages are designed to spark creativity and provide a playful way to engage with the novel’s themes of friendship, freedom, and the power of expression. Each page features bold, clear lines and depicts various scenes from the book, allowing young artists to explore their artistic talents while connecting with the characters on a deeper level.
Looking for some no-prep The One and Only Ivan Coloring Pages that you can print out and use with your learners today? Click on the image or button below to download the activities!
Looking for more fun ideas for your next The One and Only Ivan unit? You won’t want to miss these fun activities and our free resources to go along with the novel!
Incorporating The One and Only Ivan Coloring Pages into your Lesson Plans
Incorporating The One and Only Ivan coloring pages into lesson plans can enhance learning and engagement throughout your next novel study. Here’s how teachers can effectively use these resources:
- Literature and Reading Comprehension:
- Before Reading: Introduce the characters and setting of this beautiful novel through these The One and Only Ivan coloring pages. This visual introduction can help spark interest and give students a tangible connection to the story before they start reading.
- During Reading: Use coloring pages to highlight key scenes or chapters. Students can color as they read or after specific milestones to reinforce their understanding and recall of events and character development. They are also a great way to keep students during read aloud time!
- Writing and Narrative Skills:
- Character Analysis: After students learn about each character as you read through the novel as a class, they can use these The One and Only Ivan coloring pages to express their perceptions of different characters. Later, they can write a short paragraph describing the character traits, motivations, and growth, using their artwork as a visual aid.
- Story Elements: Encourage students to create a storyboard by coloring sequential pages that summarize the plot. This helps them understand story structure, including the beginning, middle, and end, and sequence events logically.
Why Coloring Pages Belong in the Classroom
Coloring pages are a valuable tool in the classroom, promoting creativity as students express themselves through color choices and artistic styles. This activity improves focus and concentration, requiring children to pay attention to details and stay engaged with the task at hand. These pages can also be themed to enhance learning about specific subjects, making educational topics like science or history more interactive and visually appealing. Additionally, as students describe their artwork and discuss their choices, they develop language skills, learning new vocabulary and ways to express their thoughts and ideas effectively. This combination of creative expression, focused activity, educational reinforcement, and language development makes coloring an integral part of classroom learning.
Looking for more reasons to incorporate art based activities like The One and Only Ivan coloring pages into your lessons? Check out our guide to the benefits of arts integration!
Ivan: The Thoughtful Artist
Ivan is the central figure in “The One and Only Ivan”. He is a silverback gorilla who has lived almost his entire life within the narrow confines of the Big Top Mall and Video Arcade. Unlike his wild counterparts who roam the lush jungles, Ivan’s environment is small and overwhelmingly human. Enclosed by glass walls, his days blend together, filled with the repetitive, dull activities of mall life. However, Ivan finds a unique escape by channeling his thoughts and feelings into painting. Using vibrant colors and bold strokes, he creates artwork that not only serves as a release for him but also captivates those who view it.
Stella: The Gentle Giant
Stella, a kind-hearted and wise elephant featured in “The One and Only Ivan,” has spent much of her life in the limelight of circus shows. Despite bearing the physical and emotional scars from her past experiences, Stella remains gentle and nurturing. She often takes on a maternal role with Ivan and Ruby, sharing her wisdom and providing comfort. Her aspirations stretch beyond her own freedom; she dreams of a better life for all her friends at the mall. Stella’s character underscores the profound impact of kindness and the strength found in friendships, emphasizing the universal right to a chance at a better life.
Ruby: The Innocent Catalyst
Ruby is a young elephant who enters the story as a pivotal character in “The One and Only Ivan”. She is brought to the mall to rejuvenate the failing attraction, bringing with her the innocence and curiosity of youth. Ruby’s arrival stirs a profound change in Ivan, reminding him of the realities of their captivity and sparking a renewed sense of responsibility and protectiveness within him.
Ruby is small for an elephant, yet her spirit and energy fill the space around her. She is eager to learn and play, often asking questions that others avoid, and her naïve perspective brings fresh insights to the harsh environment she and her companions endure. Ruby looks up to Stella, seeing her as a maternal figure from whom she can learn the stories and wisdom of an elephant’s life.
Bob: The Loyal Companion
Bob is a scrappy, street-wise dog with a penchant for survival and a heart full of loyalty. He also makes his home at the Big Top Mall and Video Arcade. However, unlike the other animals, he isn’t confined and come and go as he pleases. He chooses to stay with his friends at the mall out of his own volition. Bob’s free-spirited nature gives him a unique perspective on the lives of the other animals, especially Ivan, whom he considers his best friend.
Despite his rough exterior and independent lifestyle, Bob is remarkably wise and observant. He often provides comic relief with his sardonic wit, yet his insights are piercingly accurate, reflecting his deep understanding of the others’ struggles. His relationship with Ivan is one of mutual respect and affection; Bob often sleeps on Ivan’s belly, finding comfort in his steady presence.
George: The Kind-Hearted Custodian
George serves as the kind and diligent janitor at the Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, where he is more than just a maintenance worker; he is a silent ally to the animals who live there. His role at the mall provides a unique viewpoint into the lives of Ivan, Stella, Ruby, and Bob, whom he treats with a gentle, unspoken respect and understanding.
George is a family man, often seen with his daughter Julia, who shares his compassionate nature. He values hard work and honesty but is deeply troubled by the conditions in which the mall’s animals live. While his job requires him to maintain the status quo, his actions often reveal his subtle attempts to improve the animals’ lives, whether through small acts of kindness or by providing Ivan with art supplies, procured through his daughter.
Mack: The Complex Proprietor
Mack runs the Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, focusing mainly on the business side of things—drawing in crowds and keeping the finances in check. Unfortunately, this often comes at the cost of the animals’ welfare. At the start, Mack appears mainly indifferent to the animals, seeing them more as attractions than as beings with needs and feelings.
However, as the story of “The One and Only Ivan” unfolds, we see changes in Mack. The economic pressures he faces and the increasing public backlash against his practices start to reshape his outlook. He begins to show signs of genuine care and moments of kindness, illustrating the complex nature of his character. Mack’s evolution is a realistic portrayal of the difficult choices faced by those who find themselves at the intersection of business interests and ethical responsibilities.
Julia: The Artistic Soul
Julia is the young, imaginative daughter of George, the janitor at the mall. She embodies the innocence and empathy of youth, often spending her time at the mall drawing alongside Ivan. Her artistic talents and gentle nature allow her to form a special bond with Ivan, recognizing the intelligence and emotional depth he shows through his paintings.
Julia is curious, kind-hearted, and sees the world through a lens of creativity and possibility. She serves as a bridge between the human world and the animals, understanding their needs and emotions in ways that adults around her often overlook. Her interactions with Ivan inspire her to advocate for a better life for him and the other animals, influencing her father and eventually the wider community.
Enhancing Classroom Engagement with The One and Only Ivan Coloring Pages
Using The One and Only Ivan coloring pages in your lessons can make learning more engaging and rich. These pages help students understand the book better and discuss important themes while also letting them express themselves through art. Whether it’s exploring character emotions, discussing animal rights, or simply taking a break with a calming coloring activity, these The One and Only Ivan coloring pages can enhance many parts of your curriculum. By bringing characters like Ivan, Ruby, Stella, and others into your classroom through these creative activities, students can connect more deeply with the story and learn important lessons in a fun and interactive way. Let them color their way through The One and Only Ivan and see how they bring this touching story to life.
List of Character Traits
Looking for a detailed list of character traits that you can use with your learners? Download this FREE Character Trait resource by clicking on the image or button below. This resource contains a complete list of character traits along with a fun character trait wheel activity. This is a great way to add additional learning opportunities to your The One and Only Ivan coloring pages!
Understanding character traits enriches our reading and teaches us about humanity. As we guide our students through the world of young adult novels, let’s encourage them to look beyond the plot and dive into the essence of the characters. This exploration not only enhances their literary experience but also fosters a deeper understanding of the world around them.
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