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Great Gorillas
(God's Animals)
by Sandra Harris

Sometimes we can learn from other's mistakes. Such is the case with the gorilla. The gorilla's natural inclination toward using brute strength to fight its enemies often gets it into more trouble when that enemy is man. Studying the gorilla can help us to understand why "wisdom is mightier than strength."

Characteristic: wisdom; thinking

Bible Verse: A wise man is mightier than a strong man. Wisdom is mightier than strength. Proverbs 24:5

Concepts: Gorillas are very large and very strong. In their own natural environment, their strength often helps them. But when gorillas have to deal with man’s influence on their environment (cars, guns, etc.), their strength often gets them into trouble. Attacking a large car or a man with a gun is not a good idea.

Gorillas have black or brown hair covering all but the face, the palms of the hands, and the soles of the feet. They often look fierce, but many are shy, friendly animals that seem to love attention. In their natural environment, gorillas travel through the forests of Africa in groups of 2-30, with an adult male leading the group. This leader protects the group from danger and makes the decisions.

After getting up about an hour after sunrise, the gorilla eats a large variety of leaves, buds, barks and fruits for breakfast (he’s a vegetarian). Adults then take a nap from mid-morning to mid-afternoon while the younger gorillas play games and wrestle with each other. After rest time, the gorillas eat again.

From the gorillas, we can learn something not to do. The Bible tells us that wisdom is stronger than muscles. Wisdom can keep us out of trouble. It can also get us out of trouble. It's better to use our brains and solve problems by thinking instead of by fighting.

Center Activities

Manipulatives: As the Children build things, set up a few structural problems for them to solve: a roadblock on the train track, a block tower built on a slanting foundation, an incomplete bridge, etc. Ask the children to think of ways to solve these problems.

Dramatic Play: As children play in the kitchen area, introduce a few role playing problems for them to solve: the toast got burned, the milk ran out before everyone was served, the “baby” is crying, “Dick” and “Jane” want the same toy, etc. Extend this by creating different play scenes with different sets of problems: shopping at the mall, flying in a spaceship to Mars, a sea voyage on a ship, dinner at a restaurant, watching a movie at the theatre, etc.

Craft: Gorilla Poster

Draw a large gorilla on a large sheet of construction paper for each child. Cut very thick craft yarn (like macramé cord), brown or black, into 2” lengths. You will need about 50 strips per child (actual number depends on thickness of yarn and size of gorilla drawing). Have children glue yarn to gorilla to make his hairy body. Review which parts of the body are not covered with hair. Cut banana shapes from yellow construction paper; glue to poster. Extension: have kids look through old magazines for pictures of other foods gorillas like to eat. Glue these to the poster.

Story Time:

Check your local library or bookstore for books about gorillas. Following is a list of some of the more recently published books, ranging from serious non-fiction to fun and silly fiction.

1. Gorilla by Paul Herman Burgel
2. Gorillas by Seymour Simon
3. Gorillas by Patricia Demuth
4. Gorillas by Joyce Milton
5. Gorillas by Patricia A. Fink Martin
6. Gentle Gorillas and Other Apes by Allan Fowler
7. Koko’s Kitten and Koko, Love by Francine Patterson
8. Draw 50 Endangered Animals by Lee J. Ames
9. The Painting Gorilla by Michael Rex
10. Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann
11. Little Gorilla by Ruth Bornstein
12. One Gorilla and My Friend Gorilla by Atsuko Morozumi (One Gorilla is also available in Spanish)
13. The Day the Teacher Went Bananas by James Howe
14. Smile if You’re Human by Neal Layton
15. Who’s New at the Zoo by Janette Oke

Enrichment Ideas:

1. Some favorite gorilla games resemble our own: Follow the Leader, King of the Mountain, Tag. Pretend to be gorillas (walk like a gorilla) as you play these old favorites.

2. Make a snack food that uses bananas: Strawberry-Banana Smoothie, Banana-Nut Bread, Rocket Salad, Bananas in Jell-O, Banana Pudding, etc.

3. Tie a banana to the ceiling. Ask the children to think of ways to get the banana down. Test some of their solutions. Which worked and which didn’t? Why?

4. Locate Africa on a map or a globe.

5. Tell the Bible story of Solomon and how he had to choose which of two women was a baby’s real mother.

6. Sadly, the gorilla is on the endangered species list. Talk about the concept of extinction. Some extinct animals that really catch the attention of most kids are the various dinosaurs and dodo birds. Research why these animals became extinct and why the gorilla is in danger of becoming extinct.

7. Are there any endangered species (flora or fauna) in your geographic area? What are some things kids can do to help endangered species? (learn about them and the environment, don’t litter, pick up litter, don’t waste resources, etc.) Does saving an animal (or a plant) from extinction take muscle power or brain power, or both?

8. Learn about herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores. Make a large wall chart and illustrate the three heading with drawings or magazine pictures. As you study each animal, list it in the proper category.

9. Visit a local zoo. If they don’t have gorillas, check out the monkeys and chimpanzees. What role do zoos play in helping to save endangered animals from extinction?

10. Do a compare and contrast study between gorillas and monkeys.

11. Koko is a famous gorilla who has been learning sign language and using it to communicate with humans. Watch your local PBS television listing for the special on Koko. Check out a beginning sign language book from the library and learn a few words or phrases.