The setting plays a major role in aping Ivan's life throughout the novel. The story takes place in two distinct locations: the jungle, where Ivan lived in the wild, and the shopping mall, where he lives in captivity. 

In this lesson, we build our knowledge and contrast the realities of animal captivity and animals living in animal-friendly environments.

• We make text-to-world connections to better understand a story by linking it to real-world events and situations. These connections help us see how the story’s events, characters, or themes relate to issues in the real world. This strategy encourages critical thinking, broadens our perspective, and allows us to apply what we learn from the text to real-life situations. 

• In The One and Only Ivan, making text-to-world connections helps us understand Ivan's life in captivity by relating it to real-world issues around animal welfare. By connecting the setting of Ivan's captivity in the mall to what we know about animals in the wild versus in captivity, we can see the challenges animals face when removed from natural, animal-friendly environments. This connection encourages us to think about real-world issues, like the ethics of keeping animals in unnatural settings for human entertainment and the importance of protecting animals' rights and habitats.

To contrast means to find differences between two things. For example, when contrasting life in the wild with life in captivity, we focus on what makes them different from each other. 

When describing differences, you can use the transition words like: 

• Different

• But

• However

• While

• Unlike

• On the other hand

• In contrast

• Although

To compare a life in the wild with a life in captivity, we can identify key differences between these two settings. These differences include access to resources, social structure, freedom of movement, and exposure to natural experiences. Let’s explore each of these areas in more detail.

1. Access to Resources:

In the wild, animals can find their own food and water, which allows them to eat a healthy diet. In captivity, animals depend on humans for meals, which may not be as varied or nutritious.

2. Social Structure:

In the wild, animals live in groups with strong bonds, which help them work together and stay safe. In captivity, animals  are often alone or live in small groups, missing out on important social interactions.

3. Freedom of Movement:

Animals in the wild can roam freely in large spaces, exploring and finding what they need. In captivity, they often live in small areas, which can make them feel bored and restless.

4. Exposure to Natural Stimuli:

In the wild, animals experience a variety of sights, sounds, and smells that keep them engaged and happy. In captivity, they may not have enough stimulation, leading to zoochosis. ‘Zoochosis’ refers to the strange actions animals do in captivity because they feel stressed or bored. 

Understanding these differences helps us see why it is important to care for animals and think about their well-being, whether they live in the wild or under human care.