Activity: Optional: Students listen to “Hey, Little Ant” and discuss it. Then they watch the second video, “Ants” which is a study about the interesting life of ants, how they work together, and what their homes are like. If you don’t have access to either of these videos, share some information about ants from your own resources. Guide students to think about this: “now that you know more about how awesome ants are, would you hesitate to step on one?” Ideally, students get an opportunity to observe live ants, either outside or in an ant terrarium in the classroom. They take turns standing on a scale and record their weight. Then they calculate how much they could carry if they were an ant. Ants carry anywhere from 10 - 50 times their weight! How much can a human carry? Materials needed: the videos (optional); a scale for weighing students; paper and pencil to record students’ weights; (optional): an ant farm/terrarium and/or a place outside to observe antsDirections: (Optional) Explain that two videos about ants will be shown that will help students learn some interesting and fascinating facts about ants. Show both videos and discuss them, especially explore the question in the first video: should the boy step on the ant? After watching the second video, ask students what they learned about ants: “What impresses you about ants? [pause for responses] Did you realize how amazing ants are? One fact I want you to remember is that ants can carry 10 - 50 times their weight. Can humans do that? We will calculate your weight and how much you could lift if you were an ant. You will take turns weighing yourself and recording your weight. Then, you will sit down and multiply your weight times 10 and then times 50 to see how much you could carry if you were an ant. I will demonstrate how to do the math.” Demonstrate how to multiply their weight by 10 and by 50. Help students who can’t do this yet, or have students help each other. Ask how much weight they think a human can carry - it will be less than their body weight for sure! Invite students to discuss how amazing ants are, and ask them: “Now that you know more about ants, do you think you will leave them alone and just observe them, or step on them?” Make time to observe ants either outside or in the classroom if you have an ant farm. Wrap it up: Explain: “When we get to know the qualities of another person, or an animal, we are more equipped to feel more respect for them. We are more likely to treat them with more kindness and compassion.”
Related resource: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXxqR0lGdHU&t=1s
Activity: Optional: Students listen to “Hey, Little Ant” and discuss it. Then they watch the second video, “Ants” which is a study about the interesting life of ants, how they work together, and what their homes are like. If you don’t have access to either of these videos, share some information about ants from your own resources. Guide students to think about this: “now that you know more about how awesome ants are, would you hesitate to step on one?” Ideally, students get an opportunity to observe live ants, either outside or in an ant terrarium in the classroom. They take turns standing on a scale and record their weight. Then they calculate how much they could carry if they were an ant. Ants carry anywhere from 10 - 50 times their weight! How much can a human carry? Materials needed: the videos (optional); a scale for weighing students; paper and pencil to record students’ weights; (optional): an ant farm/terrarium and/or a place outside to observe antsDirections: (Optional) Explain that two videos about ants will be shown that will help students learn some interesting and fascinating facts about ants. Show both videos and discuss them, especially explore the question in the first video: should the boy step on the ant? After watching the second video, ask students what they learned about ants: “What impresses you about ants? [pause for responses] Did you realize how amazing ants are? One fact I want you to remember is that ants can carry 10 - 50 times their weight. Can humans do that? We will calculate your weight and how much you could lift if you were an ant. You will take turns weighing yourself and recording your weight. Then, you will sit down and multiply your weight times 10 and then times 50 to see how much you could carry if you were an ant. I will demonstrate how to do the math.” Demonstrate how to multiply their weight by 10 and by 50. Help students who can’t do this yet, or have students help each other. Ask how much weight they think a human can carry - it will be less than their body weight for sure! Invite students to discuss how amazing ants are, and ask them: “Now that you know more about ants, do you think you will leave them alone and just observe them, or step on them?” Make time to observe ants either outside or in the classroom if you have an ant farm. Wrap it up: Explain: “When we get to know the qualities of another person, or an animal, we are more equipped to feel more respect for them. We are more likely to treat them with more kindness and compassion.”
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