Hey, Little Ant

Here in First Grade our next science topic of discussion will be INSECTS.  First, we started learning all about ANTS.  We read several nonfiction texts to gather information about these pesky picnic critters...we gathered our information and organized it onto a CAN/HAVE/ARE chart...

The students then took all of the information we gathered and wrote an informational piece about ants...here are some examples...

Here are all of the writings on display...

We then read "Hey, Little Ant" by Phillip and Hannah Hoose.  The book is about a little ant and a giant (to the ant) kid who is about to stomp on him and end his life.  While this sounds terrifying, the book is all about the ant making an argument for his survival at the hands of the kid.  The boy gives many reasons for squishing the ant, and the ant counters everything with his own reasons for being able to stay alive.  The ant talks to the kid for a while, and the kid also shares that his friends are watching and encouraging him to squish the ant.  The story ends with the line: "What do you think the kid should do?"  We took this question and created our own endings for the story...here's a look:

"I think the boy should step on him! Because they took their food."~Kaytlin

"I think the boy should not squish the ant.  It's one of God's creatures, because it is very nice."~Julianna

"I think the boy should not squish the ant because he's God's pet.  I will be nice to it." ~Nathanial (This one knocked me off my seat when I read it!!!)

 Here are all the writings on display...

Click on the link to take you to a reading of "Hey, Little Ant"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coSgBLs6UmI