Owen & Mzee:  The Language of Friendship by Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff, Dr. Paula Kahumbu and Peter Greste, ill.  NY:  Scholastic Press,

     2007.  ISBN 978-0-439-89959-8

The ultimate odd couple; Owen the orphaned hippo and Mzee the ancient tortoise become the best of friends, even creating their own unique language together.  A true story captured in photographs. 

Illustrations:  photography

Themes:  animal behavior, friendship

Curriculum Connections:  Great book for elementary grade friendship themes.  Older students can use it to learn about animal habitats and behavior.  Great for discussions on human interaction and intervention with the animal world. 

Lesson Plan:

Audience:  Science-Upper elementary/Middle School

Topic:  Animal Habitats/Behavior

Lesson begins with a reading of Owen & Mzee:  The Language of Friendship.  Students are allowed to choose one animal to research:  the hippo or the tortoise.  Students are given Habitat worksheets and required to find information about their chosen animal, including:  where they live, what they eat, size, weight, distinguishing characteristics, life-span and interesting facts.  When all have had time to complete, teacher has groups compare their information and record on large chart paper.  Discussion will follow noting similarities and differences between the two species.

Conversation will return to the original book, with a discussion on why students believe these two animals were able to become friends and what they believe the future holds for them.  Students will be asked to write an opinion paper on what they believe should happen in the future:  should man intervene again and separate the pair, should they be allowed to stay together and what the possible consequences might be.  The final discussion will revolve around the students thoughts for their future.

5Q/5P

"TOP  TEN"

ggolden 7/2/09