Chelsea fourth graders adopt gorillas

Throughout the second quarter, the Chelsea Intermediate School fourth grade class focused on the unit of “Survival.” Along with this unit, the students read the novel, ”The One & Only Ivan” by Katherine Applegate. The novel is about a lowland mountain gorilla who was raised by a human and then put into a man-made domain located inside a mall. Almost 27 years later, Ivan was brought to the Zoo Atlanta to live out the rest of his life with other mountain gorillas. Ivan proved many wrong by learning to adapt well in his new environment.

From the novel and their other research, the students decided to make a change for the better by adopting a gorilla. The fourth grade class raised almost $400 through the hosting of a popsicle fundraiser that was a huge success. The students were able to adopt three lowland mountain gorillas from the World Wildlife Organization (WWF.)

For more than 50 years, WWF has been protecting the future of nature. The world’s leading conservation organization, WWF works in 100 countries and is supported by almost five million members worldwide. Donations to the organization are used in general support of WWF’s efforts around the world.

The fourth graders were proud that the adoption papers and stuffed animal gorillas were put on display at Chelsea in the lunchroom for all to see!