Two bad Ants

Last updated Monday, June 7, 2004

Author: Chris Van Allsburg
Illustrator: Chris Van Allsburg
Date of Publication: 1988
ISBN: 0395486688
Grade Level: 3rd
Date(s) Used: June 2004

Synopsis: Accustomed to the orderly and uneventful life in the ant hole, all the ants enter the bizarre world of a kitchen in the search for sugar crystals for the queen. Two greedy ants stay behind in the sugar bowl, eating their fill and then falling asleep.

Discussion topics for before reading:

• How would your living room or bedroom look to an ant? How about to a giant?
• What does perspective mean? Do some things look different to you than to others? Why?
• What do you know about ants?

Discussion topics for after reading:

• Did this book change how you see ants? How?
• What would you have done if you were a third ant watching the other two? What would you have said?
• When was the last time you were lost? What did you do?

Craft ideas:

• Divide a piece of paper into three. Draw a picture of a common object in your bedroom from an ant’s perspective on one panel, from a giant’s perspective on another, and from your perspective on the third.
• Make a headband with antennae and act out parts of the story.

Special challenge:

• Divide up into two teams and play pictionary, having the kids draw common objects around the kitchen while their team members guess.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don’t have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!