Incorporating Wishtree by Katherine Applegate into the classroom is not just about reading a captivating novel but is a strategic move to cultivate empathy, critical thinking, and a love for learning in students. By embracing the wisdom of the main character, Red, and the compelling narrative woven by Applegate, teachers have the opportunity to create a classroom environment that not only promotes academic growth but also nurtures the essential qualities needed for navigating an increasingly diverse and interconnected world.
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Benefits of Using Wishtree in Your Classroom:
Engaging Narrative and Themes: Wishtree weaves a captivating narrative around the life of a wise and ancient oak tree named Red, who serves as a silent observer and confidant to the diverse community that surrounds it. Through Red’s perspective, students are exposed to themes of empathy, acceptance, and the power of community. By incorporating this novel into the curriculum, teachers can spark meaningful discussions about tolerance, diversity, and the importance of standing up for what is right.
Language and Literary Elements: Applegate’s masterful use of language and literary elements makes Wishtree a valuable resource for language arts instruction. From vivid imagery to poignant metaphors, the novel offers numerous opportunities for students to analyze and interpret the text. Teachers can leverage these literary elements to enhance students’ comprehension skills, critical thinking abilities, and appreciation for the art of storytelling.
Multidisciplinary Connections: Beyond its literary merit, Wishtreelends itself to interdisciplinary exploration, making it a versatile addition to any classroom. Teachers can integrate the novel into social studies lessons to examine concepts such as immigration, cultural diversity, and community dynamics. Likewise, science educators can use Red’s perspective to explore topics related to ecology, biodiversity, and the interconnectedness of living organisms. By making these multidisciplinary connections, teachers can provide students with a holistic learning experience that extends beyond the confines of traditional subject areas.
Promoting Empathy and Inclusivity: In today’s increasingly polarized world, fostering empathy and inclusivity is more important than ever. Wishtree offers a poignant reminder of the power of empathy to bridge divides and foster understanding among individuals from different backgrounds. By immersing students in Red’s world, teachers can cultivate a classroom environment where kindness, compassion, and acceptance are celebrated. Through discussions, activities, and reflective exercises, students can develop a deeper appreciation for diversity and learn to embrace the unique perspectives of others.
Real-World Relevance: The themes explored in Wishtree resonate deeply with real-world issues and experiences, making it a relevant and timely addition to the classroom. From addressing topics such as immigration and prejudice to exploring the importance of environmental stewardship, the novel offers students valuable insights into pressing societal challenges. By engaging with these themes through literature, teachers can empower students to become informed and empathetic global citizens who are equipped to navigate the complexities of the world around them.
Connection to Nature: The novel’s unique perspective from the viewpoint of a tree opens doors to discussions about the environment and our interconnectedness with nature. Teachers can use Wishtree as a gateway to explore ecological concepts, instilling a sense of responsibility for the environment among students. This connection to nature adds an extra layer of depth to the learning experience.
Wishtree by Katherine Applegate stands out as a compelling and versatile resource for classroom instruction. By incorporating this novel into their curriculum, teachers can inspire students to explore important themes, develop critical thinking skills, and cultivate empathy and inclusivity. As educators strive to create meaningful learning experiences that resonate with students, Wishtree offers a powerful narrative that has the potential to shape hearts and minds for years to come.
I offer a complete novel study to accompany Wishtree for use in the classroom or homeschool. The unit includes both a printable format and a Google Drive™ format for use in a paperless classroom or with Google Classroom.
You can purchase this novel study at the following locations:
Are you interested in reading about and sharing ideas with other educators on using children’s literature in your classroom? My goal is to bring together teachers and homeschoolers who teach grades 3-8 and use novels with their students. I’d love for you to join me to learn, share, and grow together!
Crenshaw is Katherine Applegate is a novel with rich themes, relatable characters, and potential for creative exploration and can be a powerful tool for educators looking to build a love for reading and cultivate essential literacy skills in their students. Teachers can create a dynamic and enriching learning environment by using Crenshaw in their classroom.
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Benefits of Using Crenshaw in Your Classroom:
Encourages Empathy through Real-world Themes: Crenshaw tackles poignant and real-world issues like homelessness and financial struggles. By exposing students to these themes, teachers can foster empathy and understanding. The novel provides a platform for discussions on compassion, social justice, and the importance of community support.
Promotes Critical Thinking and Discussion: The novel’s complex characters and thought-provoking situations invite students to analyze, question, and discuss various aspects of the story. Teachers can use Crenshaw as a springboard for critical thinking exercises, encouraging students to explore the motivations and emotions of the characters.
Enhances Language Skills through Rich Narrative: Applegate’s masterful storytelling in Crenshaw provides an opportunity for language enrichment. The novel’s rich narrative and descriptive language can be leveraged to enhance students’ vocabulary, comprehension, and writing skills.
Connects Literature to Social and Emotional Learning (SEL): Crenshaw delves into the emotional struggles of its characters, offering a valuable resource for educators focusing on social and emotional learning. Teachers can use the novel to help students navigate and understand their own emotions while fostering a supportive classroom environment.
Encourages Critical Thinking: The narrative structure of Crenshaw challenges students to think critically and analyze the characters’ decisions, fostering a deeper comprehension of the storyline Engaging in discussions about the characters’ motivations and actions can enhance students’ analytical and problem-solving skills.
Stimulates Creativity: The imaginative and whimsical element of the story, involving Jackson’s talking cat friend, Crenshaw, encourages creativity and open-mindedness. Teachers can incorporate creative writing assignments or art projects inspired by the novel, allowing students to express themselves in unique ways.
Builds a Love for Reading: Crenshaw has a compelling narrative that captivates readers of various ages, making it an excellent choice for promoting a love for reading. By choosing engaging literature like Crenshaw, teachers can instill a lifelong appreciation for books and storytelling in their students.
Crenshaw opens doors to empathy, critical thinking, language enrichment, and emotional learning. Crenshaw stands out as a valuable tool to inspire a new generation of compassionate and thoughtful individuals. Embrace the power of literature and make Crenshaw an integral part of your classroom experience.
I offer a complete novel study to accompany Crenshaw for use in the classroom or homeschool. The unit includes both a printable format and a Google Drive™ format for use in a paperless classroom or with Google Classroom.
You can purchase this novel study at the following locations:
Are you interested in reading about and sharing ideas with other educators on using children’s literature in your classroom? My goal is to bring together teachers and homeschoolers who teach grades 3-8 and use novels with their students. I’d love for you to join me to learn, share, and grow together!
“I am Ivan. I am a gorilla. It’s not as easy as it looks.”
Few stories capture the hearts of upper elementary students quite like Katherine Applegate’s Newbery Medal-winning masterpiece, The One and Only Ivan.
Inspired by the true story of a real shopping mall gorilla named Ivan who spent 27 years in a glass enclosure, this powerful novel explores themes of friendship, empathy, animal welfare, and keeping promises. Written in accessible, poetic verse with short, fast-paced entries, it is one of the most effective ELA anchor texts for 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th-grade classrooms.
Whether you are hosting a whole-class read-aloud, running literature circles, or facilitating independent book clubs, here is how you can teach The One and Only Ivan with zero prep time while building critical ELA and cross-curricular reading skills!
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🌟 Why The One and Only Ivan Belongs in Your Reading Curriculum
1. Sparks High-Interest Nonfiction Connections
Unlike purely fictional stories, Ivan serves as a perfect launchpad for cross-curricular reading. Students naturally become curious about the real Ivan, gorilla and elephant behavior, and the moral debate surrounding animal captivity vs. wildlife sanctuaries.
2. Teaches Point of View & Literary Devices
Written from Ivan’s first-person perspective, the novel provides a masterclass in voice, sensory details, figurative language, and character development—making deep literary analysis approachable for reluctant readers.
3. Fosters Deep Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
As Ivan forms an unbreakable bond with Stella the elephant and Ruby the baby elephant, students reflect on empathy, compassion, standing up for others, and what it truly means to be a good friend.
I offer a novel study for The One and Only Ivan that not only incorporates comprehension and vocabulary activities, but also non-fiction aspects for students to learn about Silverback Gorillas, elephants, animals living in captivity vs. the wild, and, of course, the story of the real-life Ivan!
📦 What’s Included in the Complete Ivan Unit (Print + Google Apps™)
Creating chapter questions, vocabulary lists, and assessments for a 300+ page book can take dozens of hours. This all-in-one novel study unit delivers everything you need from start to finish—offered in both printable PDF and interactive Google Drive™ (Google Slides & self-grading Google Forms) formats.
👩🏫 1. Teacher Planning & Management Packet
Detailed Daily Lesson Plans & Pacing Guide: Step-by-step roadmap for your daily reading schedule.
Vocabulary Word Wall Cards: Printable cards and Google Slides to reinforce academic vocabulary.
Proactive Parent Letter: Pre-written communication explaining the themes of the book.
Complete Answer Keys: Hassle-free grading for every student task.
📝 2. Student Practice & Skill Workbooks
Vocabulary Context Practice: Targeted practice covering 59 essential vocabulary words across the book.
Section-by-Section Comprehension Questions: Short-answer questions designed to push students into deeper critical thinking and inferencing.
In-Depth Character Studies: Graphic organizers focusing on Ivan, Stella, Ruby, and Bob.
Book vs. Movie Comparison: Engaging analysis tools comparing the novel to the Disney film adaptation.
★ 4 Exclusive Post-Reading Analysis Tasks: Deep-dive extension projects available only in this complete unit bundle!
Please check out the completed The One and Only Ivan Novel Study that contains both a printable and Google Drive™ compatible format available in my store.
🎁 Download a FREE Sample & Start Teaching Today!
Want to test out the unit before committing? Download a Free Sample that includes all student activities and teacher plans for Chapter 1!
You can purchase this novel study at the following locations:
💬 Join the Conversation!
Have you taught The One and Only Ivan or its companions (The One and Only Bob and The One and Only Ruby) in your classroom?
Join our free teacher community, Book Talk with The Teaching Bank, to share ideas, grab freebies, and connect with upper elementary and middle school educators!
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As educators, we’re constantly seeking captivating and meaningful ways to engage our students and instill a love for reading. One novel that will hook your readers is The One and Only Ruby by Katherine Applegate. This heartwarming novel is a sequel to the beloved The One and Only Ivan and The One and Only Bob which tells the story of three unlikely friends, a gorilla, an elephant, and a stray dog.
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The One and Only Ruby by Katherine Applegate is a literary treasure that holds immense potential for enriching your classroom experience.
The Benefits of Using The One and Only Ruby in Your Classroom:
Encourages Empathy and Compassion: At the core of The One and Only Ruby, lies a powerful message about empathy and compassion. The story tells the story of Ruby, a young elephant, through her thrilling and heartbreaking journey from living wild in Africa to a wildlife sanctuary park in America. Throughout the narrative, students witness Ruby’s growth as she encounters various challenges and learns the importance of empathy towards other creatures. This beautifully crafted tale provides an excellent opportunity to open discussions on compassion, kindness, and the significance of caring for all living beings.
Themes of Friendship, Facing our Fears, Belonging, and Growing Up: Incorporating The One and Only Ruby into your curriculum will expose students to the significant themes of friendship and belonging. As Ruby narrates her adventure, she encounters new friends and discovers the true meaning of finding one’s place in the world. These themes can encourage valuable classroom discussions on the importance of friendship, inclusion, and accepting others despite their differences. Students will be able to relate these themes to their own lives, fostering a positive and inclusive classroom environment.
Stimulates Critical Thinking: Katherine Applegate’s writing is known for its ability to captivate readers with compelling storytelling and multifaceted characters. As students delve into The One and Only Ruby, they will be challenged to analyze complex character motivations, predict plot developments, and engage in critical thinking. Encouraging students to discuss their interpretations and make connections to their own experiences will promote intellectual growth and encourage independent thought.
Promotes Environmental Awareness: The novel subtly incorporates environmental themes, prompting students to consider the impact of human actions on the natural world. By exploring Ruby’s interactions with different animal species and witnessing the consequences of human activities, students will develop a greater understanding of environmental issues and the importance of conservation. The One and Only Ruby can serve as a springboard for projects and activities centered around promoting environmental awareness and stewardship.
Enhances Language and Literacy Skills: Utilizing The One and Only Ruby in the classroom presents an opportunity to enhance language and literacy skills. The novel’s accessible language and engaging plot make it an ideal choice for read-aloud sessions, independent reading, or literature circles. Students can be encouraged to write book reviews, engage in creative writing exercises, or even take on the role of budding authors, crafting their sequels or alternative endings to the story.
Just as The One and Only Ivan and Bob have been favorite books to use in the classroom, The One and Only Rubywill be an excellent option to use as a novel study as well.
Try a free sample of the novel study for The One and Only Ruby
You can purchase this novel study at the following locations:
The One and Only Ruby offers a wealth of benefits for your students. By incorporating Ruby’s heartfelt journey into your curriculum, you open the doors to captivating discussions, creative projects, and a love for reading that will stay with your students for years to come. So, let the magic of The One and Only Ruby unfold in your classroom, and watch as your students embark on an unforgettable literary adventure.
Are you interested in reading about and sharing ideas with other educators on using children’s literature in your classroom? My goal is to bring together teachers and homeschoolers who teach grades 3-8 and use novels with their students. I’d love for you to join me to learn, share, and grow together!
Some of my most vivid childhood memories of school were the novel studies I read for various subjects. It was my favorite way to learn skills, history, and any topic! I love books, and being allowed to read an entire book from cover to cover as a school assignment put me in heaven! I am sure this is a major reason why, as a teacher, my passion is to create and teach novel studies! I love introducing new books to my class, and as a community, being immersed in the book together. I love it when a student pulls us off the schedule with a question or comment from something they read and leads the class into a lively discussion. That’s where the real memorable learning takes place, after all!
I create novel studies more than any other product line simply because I like to focus on what I love. I want to work with my passion! I often get questions from readers asking how I would set up novel studies in my classroom. I decided to write a small series explaining my methods. For the most part, my novel studies include comprehension questions, vocabulary/grammar skill work, extension activities, and assessments.
Today’s post, Part 4, deals with the extras added to the novel studies, from writing activities to non-fiction research activities. You can read Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 here.
Novel Studies Part 4: The Extras!
Of course, when using novel studies in the classroom, you must hit the basics of comprehension and vocabulary. One of the wonderful bonuses of using novel studies is the opportunity to pull other areas of the curriculum into a larger thematic unit. The various topics of the different books can lead to a plethora of inquiry and learning.
As I create a novel study, I open my mind to all the places the story is taking me. Some books are easier to explore outside the reading domain than others. Some take me down the rabbit hole of investigation with a deep-thought question that allows for longer writing passages that can lead to some really inspiring class debates!
With The One and Only Ivan Novel Study, students can research gorillas and elephants. They can learn about and compare life for these animals in the wild vs. captivity. The most interesting to me was the true story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla that inspired the story!
A book like Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH leads to some deep-thought questions regarding animal testing that can be debated and discussed in-depth in the classroom.
All of my novel studies offer a Google Drive™ format, in addition to the printable format, shown above, to use with your students. This allows you to use novel studies in a 1:1 classroom, save paper, and easily engage students who are absent. The “extras” of the novel study are included in the Google Drive™ format as well. Here’s an example page from the Google Drive™ format of my The Lightning Thief Novel Study.
I love how you can combine the theme from a full novel throughout different curriculum areas in a way that you just can’t do with short passage reading instruction. This allows for even deeper learning by using novel studies!
Join me for the conclusion of my series to learn how I handle the assessments to end my novel studies.
Are you interested in reading about and sharing ideas with other educators on using children’s literature in your classroom? My goal is to bring together teachers and homeschoolers who teach grades 3-8 and use novels with their students. I’d love for you to join me to learn, share, and grow together!
Novel Studies Part 4: The Extras!
All of my novel studies offer a Google Drive™ format, in addition to the printable format, shown above, to use with your students. This allows you to use novel studies in a 1:1 classroom, save paper, and easily engage students who are absent. The “extras” of the novel study are included in the Google Drive™ format as well. Here’s an example page from the Google Drive™ format of my 
