Lesson Plan

Note: This lesson plan has been revised by Tina Burns to incorporate mobile devices (laptops,
tablets, ipads, ipods, cellphones, smartphones, etc.) and mobile apps into the curriculum.

GRADE: 2
nd
Grade TEACHER: ________________________

SUBJECTS: Language Arts, Library/Technology
CONNECTION TO LOCAL OR STATE STANDARDS:
Language Arts
ELACC2RL1. Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to
demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.
ELACC2RL3. Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.
ELACC2RL7. Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text
to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot.
ELACC2SL1.b. Build on others talk in conversations by linking their comments to the remarks
of others.
ELACC2SL1.c. Ask for clarification and further explanation as needed about the topics and
texts under discussion.
ELACC2SL2. Recount or describe key ideas or details from written texts read aloud or
information presented orally or through other media

Library/Technology
2.1.5. Collaborate with others to exchange ideas, develop new understandings, make decisions,
and solve problems.
1.b. Create original works as a means of personal or group expression.
2.a. Interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital
environments and media.

CONTENT TOPIC: Ants Have Feelings, Too!
Lesson 1 - From Unit: "Antsy" for Others

Purpose:
Through listening and responding to literature, children gain an understanding of the concept of
respect. They learn to see things from anothers point of view.

Duration:
Three Fifteen-Minute Class Periods

Objectives:
The learner will:
*illustrate an event from an ants point of view.
*predict and reflect on the outcome of the story.
*express ways to show respect for others.
*role-play story actions and cooperative behaviors in the classroom.
Materials:
*Teacher copy of Hey, Little Ant by Phillip and Hannah Hoose
*A large paper or plastic model ant
*Family Letter (Attachment One)

Instructional Procedure(s):
Anticipatory Set:
Show the large model ant to the class. Have the ant talk to the class and give its point of view.
For example: "Many children think it is okay to step on ants and squash our homes. Can you
imagine how scary it would be to see a giant shoe coming down on your head? What if a giant
kicked over your house? Although we are small, each of us is still important. Have you ever felt
that way?" Tell the students that you are going to read a book to help them see the world from an
ants point of view. Tell them that at the end, they must decide who is right, the boy or the ant.

Day One
1. Read the book Hey, Little Ant to the students. Stop, check for understanding, and let
students make predictions as you read. After the story, ask the students to respond to the
question at the end of the book. Brainstorm ideas from the book that teach us how to treat
ants (and each other).

TECHNOLOGY OPTION: Students can view the story: Two of a Kind: Hey, Little Ant.
Youtube Video using their own devices (cellphones, ipads, ipods, tablets, smartphones, laptops).

2. Talk about how ants see things differently. (What would a shoe look like?)

3. Ask the learners to draw what they think the shoe would like to the ant.

TECHNOLOGY OPTION: Students can sketch it on paper, a drawing APP, or other drawing
program on their laptop or other device(s).


Doodlebuddy

Day Two
1. Reread or retell or sing the story while dramatizing the major actions.

2. Tell the students that the ant is asking them to understand his point of view and to be
more considerate, or more respectful of him. Tell them it is important to understand how
others feel and to not hurt others feelings. Ask them to think of ways they can be more
respectful of each other at school and in their families (take turns, ask before doing,
express feelings, listen to friends, etc.)

3. Role-play some of their ideas using classroom props. (Have one student ask another
student for a toy, saying please and thank you.)

TECHNOLOGY OPTION: Students can work in groups and record their role-play ideas on
their devices. Once completed, the students will present their performances. Option: The Teacher
can connect device to Promethean board to view performances to entire class.


Story Creator

Day Three
1. Retell or sing the story while the children dramatize the actions.

2. Discuss universal themes such as cooperation, hard work and kindness in the natural
world, in school and at home. (Share stories from School/Home Connection)

TECHNOLOGY OPTION: Students will shares stories that they created with their families
using digital devices. Option: For students that do not have BYOD, the school media center has
laptops available. The teacher will collaborate with the media specialist and schedule a time for
the student to meet in the media center with his/her parent/guardian to complete the assignment.

or
StoryKit Whiteboard Lite

Bonus

Ant Smasher
(For those who decide to SQUISH the Ant.)

Assessment:
Teacher observation of childrens dramatization and discussion.
School/Home Connection:
Interactive Parent / Student Homework: Send home a note to families, informing them that
we will be working on the character trait of respect. Ask for examples of how they show respect
to each other at home. (See below: Family Letter.) When the examples come back to school, let
the students tell the class about it. Then discuss whether they have the same, or similar, examples
in other homes.


Family Letter

Dear Families,
As part of our character education program, we have been talking about respecting and being
considerate of others. It is important to show respect for ourselves as well as others. Please
discuss with your child about ways your family members show respect for each other. We will
continue this discussion at school as we learn to work together.
If possible, write a description of one way you show respect for each other at home. Let your
child dictate the example to you while you write it down. Tell the child to tell about a specific
example. The child will have an opportunity to tell about it at school.
Thank-you,

Your name












References:

Hoose, Phillip and Hannah. Hey, Little Ant. California: Tricycle Press, 1998. ISBN: 1883672546

Lesson Plan - Ants Have Feelings Too!: URL:
http://learningtogive.org/lessons/unit191/lesson1.html

Mobile Apps

Doodlebuddy
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/doodle-buddy-paint-draw-scribble/id313232441?mt=8

StoryCreator
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/story-creator/id545369477?mt=8

StoryKit
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/storykit/id329374595?mt=8

Whiteboard Lite
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/whiteboard-lite-collaborative/id301962306?mt=8

Ant Smasher
https://play.google.com/store/search?q=ants&c=apps&hl=en

Two of a Kind: Hey, Little Ant. Youtube Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rj6Xuyr7DDQ