Me … Jane
By Patrick McDonnell
Grade Levels:
All Ages: especially appropriate for K-2 due to the short picture book format. However, all ages can enjoy this
book due to the relevance of Jane Goodall and her amazing accomplishments.
Synopsis:
Me ... Jane is the true story of Jane Goodall’s childhood. In the story Jane explores the natural world with her
stuffed chimpanzee Jubilee. The book includes original drawings and puzzles by Jane Goodall herself. It ends
with that iconic photo of young Jane Goodall reaching out to touch a baby chimpanzee.
Author Website:
http://muttscomics.com/
Curricular Connections:
 Biography research
 Nature and conservation
 Writing
Lesson Ideas:
 Biography research project.
o (K-2) Paper Bag Biographies: students research a person and display the information on a large
paper bag:
 Print a picture of the person - glue on the front of the bag
 Write the person’s name and greatest accomplishments - glue above the picture
 Write the person’s birth and death date - glue below the picture
 Write a summary of the person’s life - glue to the back of the bag
 Choose a famous quote by the person - glue on the back of the bag
 Write a simple citation to their sources - glue on the back of the bag
 Cut the bags so that they can be worn like shirts
 Invite other students to listen to short oral presentations. This can be done as a gallery
walk where visiting students tap presenting students to get them to speak or with one
student at a time in the front of the room.
o Bio-Poems are a way to take a biography research lesson and turn it into a poetry writing
activity. http://cuip.uchicago.edu/~adarice/cwsite/poems/poembio.htm
 Nature and/or conservation study:
o Take students outside to record what they see and hear in a notebook.
o Conduct a research project about natural resources and what students can do to help our planet.
 Writing activity
o Students write a letter to Jubilee.
o Students create activities for Jane Goodall’s Alligator Society.
 Numerous lesson ideas including audio recordings:
http://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=22956&a=1
Suggested Companion Titles:
The Watcher: Jane Goodall’s Life with the Chimps by Jeanette Winter
The Chimpanzee Family Book by Jane Goodall
The Eagle and the Wren: a Fable by Jane Goodall