Some students have become experts on ants. Each day we read a few pages from The Amazing World of Ants. As a group we listed the facts we learned that day on the easel. The children then copied a few of those facts into their learning logs. (In this way, we learned to read for information and to take notes). After collecting 12 to 15 facts, the children then organized their information using a color code system. This activity helped them to understand the concept of outlining and paragraphs. From their rough notes, the children wrote good copies of their reports. At the same time, the children drew a "portrait" of an ant (labeling the important body parts) and an ant colony (identifying the types of ants and the rooms of a community). Working with a partner, the children designed an ant colony on the computer, using the Kid Pix program. We also read a poem and sang the song, "Amazing Anthony Ant." This inspired us to write our own rhymes to complete the verses. The children collected and stored all of this information in their "unfinished folders" until they completed all portions of this project. The children also enjoyed observing our live ants at work in our classroom ant colony. The unit lasted for approximately six weeks.
We welcome your comments and suggestions. Please direct any correspondence to Barbara Cipolloni, Nancy Jones or Paul Savering Germantown Academy's second grade teachers.
Technical assistance and site design furnished by Carol Siwinski, Curricular Technology Specialist for Germantown Academy
November, 2007