Summary
In the rainforests of the Ivory Coast, a young chimp named Oscar learns the skills of his troop -- including how to crack nuts with stones -- until he is orphaned and must find a new place in the group. The film shows how chimpanzees live together, learn from one another, and depend on the family group to survive. A memorable look at animal social behavior and learned skills for the middle grades.
Viewer safety
Oscar is orphaned after a clash between rival chimp groups, and his mother's death is referenced -- an emotional thread; preview before showing.
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Teaching resources
Discussion questions
Discussion
"Chimpanzee" follows young Oscar as he learns to live in his rainforest troop.
- What skills does Oscar have to learn, and who does he learn them from?
- How does the group help its members survive?
- What happens to Oscar partway through the film, and how does the troop respond?
Quick work-a-long
Vocabulary: troop, group, learned behavior, survive, tool.
Try it: List two things Oscar learned by watching other chimps. Then name one skill you learned by watching someone else.