Koko the Gorilla Meets Mister Rogers
From Mister Rogers' Neighborhood · 1998
28 minPre-KK1st2nd3rdSocial-Emotional LearningScienceSocial Studies
Summary
Mister Rogers visits Koko, the gorilla who learned sign language — and Koko, who had watched his show, takes off his shoes for him and holds him gently. A mysterious gorilla guest also turns up in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, and Mr. McFeely brings a film about how people make toy balls.
Viewer safety
All ages
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Teaching resources
Discussion questions
Discussion
A famous, very gentle meeting between Mister Rogers and Koko the gorilla.
- How did Koko show Mister Rogers that she liked him?
- Koko used sign language. What are other ways to say something without talking?
- Was Mister Rogers nervous, curious, or both? What makes you say that?
- What steps did it take to make a toy ball?
Quick work-a-long
Vocabulary: gorilla, sign language, gentle, communicate.
Try it: Make up a hand sign for “hello” and one for “thank you” and teach them to a partner.
Try it: Write one sentence about a time you showed care without using words.