Activity sheets:
The Ants Go Marching Song
Ant Observation Sheet #1
Ant Observation Sheet #2
Ant Hat Pattern
Teacher Preparation:
- Scout the playground for active ant colonies. Look for areas that are easy for the class to work in and that are ideally not in high traffic areas. Avoid areas with poisonous plants, venomous animals and treacherous terrain.
- Many of the observations and discussions are greatly enhanced if you have access to a live ant colony that you could keep in the classroom. To be successful, a colony must have a queen ant.
- Once you have identified the colony you will be using for the observations, notify the custodian so that he/she does not try to kill the colony while you are doing the lesson.
- Prepare copies of Ant Observation sheets (for Activities 2 and 3) and Songs (for Closure Activity).
- Obtain obstacles brainstormed in Activity 2. Direct the discussion towards easily obtainable items.
- Five discussions are recorded on butcher paper (Activities 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5). Prepare bulletin board space or other wall space for displaying charts throughout the lesson.
- Gather remaining materials and books (see Bibliography).
Materials:
- Ant nest (indoor or outdoor; if inside, set up colony at least one week in advance).
- Individual student journals or writing paper.
- Chosen obstacles (sticks, rocks, leaves, pencils, etc.).
- Butcher paper
- Chris Van Allsburg, Two Bad Ants; Michael Chinery, Ants; Arthur Dorros, Ant Cities; Polly Cameron, I Can't Said the Ant; Pat Hutchins, Happy Birthday, Sam.
- Any supporting fiction and non-fiction literature that may not be suggested in the bibliography.
Ant Information Sheets
Ant Rearing Sheets
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