The Little, But Mighty Ant

A Mini-Unit Study by BrandenburgStudies

Get the most from your Unit Study... At the end of this Unit Study you will find a page that has a secure WEB link, Username and Password—so you can access our “update page” for “All About Ants Unit Study” Because of the nature of WEB Interactive Unit Studies, we are constantly checking the links of our Units—eliminating dead links and searching for even better WEB links to add to the studies. We update our Units twice a year and offer our purchasers FREE updates on their Units. You can access these updates for as long as you wish to use this Unit Study—for free!! Really!!! In the event you are working through your Unit Study and you come across a dead link or down link, please kindly let us know and we will get right on it to get it repaired or replaced. You can contact us at [email protected] Thank you again for your purchase and we hope you and your student(s) enjoy this Unit!

What is a WEB Interactive Unit Study? A WEB Interactive Unit Study is really just what it sounds like: A Unit Study on a particular subject that has assignments not in Textbooks, but on WEB sites. With the almost limitless possibilities on the "Net" -- multimedia; actual documents; on-line textbooks; fantastic images; virtual tours; etc -- the Unit Study becomes much or interesting and "Interactive" for the student. The Research for this Unit Study has been completed by BrandenburgStudies (and the links are maintained and updated to keep it current), and you get the benefits. Lower costs than traditional textbooks Greater depth of material Vivid imagery Virtual Tours First-hand accounts etc Each "click" becomes a new adventure--that not only holds the student's attention, but makes learning "enjoyable"!

A Note to the Instructor As you look over the material that has come with your Unit Study, here are some suggestions: Look over the Daily Lesson Plan—print out a copy for your student and one for you, the instructor. Be sure that the student posts his/hers in a place that is easy to locate and refer to. Most of our students place theirs inside the front or back cover of the notebook (or folder) they will be using while completing this Unit Study. Familiarize yourself with the daily assignments, and print out any handouts for the day's assignment. Oversee the student(s)' work—not only seeing that all assignments are completed in a timely manner, but they are done “thoroughly” and “neatly” as well. (This is a great opportunity for your student(s) to begin learning to be responsible for their own work.) It is highly suggested that you have the computer the student works on, be up-to-date in software, so that the Unit Study can be best utilized. (These are all "freeware” and mean no expense to you) Real Player http://www.real.com Update your Adobe Acrobat Reader Adobe Acrobat Reader Macromedia Shockwave Adobe Shockwave Player Before the student starts the Unit Study, look over the Suggested Literature and Videos. We have found that the

more you can incorporate into a student's learning—the better the retention and the higher the interest. The suggested books are age-appropriate and of “good” reading. Most can be found at your local public library. A quick on-line search of your library's database will let you know which ones it carries. Select from that list (either you select for the student, or give them a choice) and request 2-3 books to get started. Depending on the student's reading abilities, we tried to make daily reading assignments that would take the student 30-40 minutes daily—as part of the Literature Curriculum. By doing that, several books can be read in the course of the study. Of course, you can also pick a book or 2 to read aloud in the classroom as well. :-) Written assignments: We required our students to “journal” their work—summarizing and illustrating each day's assignment. We took it as an opportunity to teach our students how to “take notes”; look for important details and facts when reading; how to compose a summary; organizational skills is displaying information on a page; neatly labeling photographs, images and charts; etc. Depending on your student and his/her age and abilities, require daily written work while doing this Unit. Here are some suggestions: 

Daily journaling (or notebooking); for the younger student, do the lessons together (if you have several students of varying ages, there is no reason that this Unit Study cannot be done together). Then discuss the material together as a quick review. Finally, have the young student dictate to you the information to put in a notebook. (you can also use the above as an opportunity for the student to practice copy-work).

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Help the students to select maps, images, charts, etc during the course of the lessons. Use the Notebooking links at the end of this Unit Study to construct your own Notebook if you like For the older student, assign a 5-paragraph essay about Ants (see the WEB link below for helpful guidance and hints) The 5-paragraph Essay

Lesson Plan Calendar Day

Assignment

Day 1

Print out Lesson Plan for student and instructor; select Suggested Literature & Video; Set up your notebook, bulletin board, etc. Learn “What is an Ant” and “Ant Anatomy”; record in your notebook Complete pp 10 & 11. Take the Ant Quiz; record in your notebook Do “Ant or Termite?” and “How Strong is an Ant?” Do pp 14 & 15 on Ant Colonies Begin Different Types of Ants: Do Common Kitchen Ants and Carpenter Ants Do Leaf Cutter Ants and Pharoah Ants Do Ghost Ants and Red Imported Fire Ants Learn about Army Ants and also “The Wise and Busy Ants” Cowboy ants :-) Finish your summaries for your notebook. Begin the projects section

Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 --

Go to the ant, O lazy one; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. Proverbs 6:6-8

What is an Ant? The Ant is one of the most common insects in the entire world! There are over 10,000 different species (or kinds) of ants! They vary in size from so very tiny that you can barely see them with your own eyes (0.08 of an inch -that's a very small pencil dot!) to large ants that are 1 inch long (get a ruler out and mark out these sizes). Some types of ants live their complete life in just a few weeks. Other types of ants can live for several years. And ants are extremely strong: they can lift and carry over 3 times their own body weight (that's like an Olympic weight-lifter!!) They live in "cities" that can number in the millions, or they can be on the move all the time. Ants are amazing! And as you study these fascinating creatures, we hope you gain a greater appreciation of them, and our God Who designed them.

Ant Design Ants, like all true insects have 3 distinct body parts (look at the image below).

Click on the WEB link below to learn about the ant's body and how it works (ignore the reference to 100 million years ago): All About Ants Ant Anatomy 101 Even more on Ant Anatomy

Now ants might seem to be all alike, but the WEB link below will show you not only the different “common” species found here in the United States, but where they are found, and their general characteristics. Click on the WEB link below. Then click on an ant picture in the grid. Make a notebook page for that ant (illustrate and be sure to note distinguishing marks; also write a descriptive summary). Repeat with each ant picture. Then, take the Ant Quiz. Different Types of Common Ants

Enchanted Learning has a wonderful printout of labeled ant parts. Click on the links below to print out: Labeled Ant Body Very Detailed Labeled Ant Poster Unlabeled Ant Body

Is it an Ant or a Termite?

Ants and Termites can seem to be similar. Click on the WEB link below to learn the difference. Ant or Termite?

How strong is an Ant?

Ants are incredibly strong creatures. Click on the following WEB link to learn about “Ants Feats of Strength” The Weight-Lifting World of Ants

What is an Ant Colony?

Ants are not all alike in the colony. There are different ants, and each type performs different functions. Click on the WEB link below to learn about each of these amazing creatures. Life in the Colony (*Keep clicking “next” at bottom right of each WEB page until you reach the end)

Colonies are Simply AMAZING!

Plaster Cast of a Harvester Ant Colony

Ant Colonies are kind of like icebergs: What you see on the surface is only a very tiny part of the “city”. Ants are fantastic burrowers, diggers, and haulers. Have you ever noticed the small granules of dirt outside the ant hill opening? Ants are working diligently to excavate new tunnels, repair collapsed ones, and build new chambers. Learn more by clicking on the WEB link below: An Ant Metropolis

Different Types of Ants In this next section, you will look at different species of ants. Even within the Ant-world, there are an amazing variety of ants.

Common Kitchen Ant

These are tiny black ants that are also known as “sugar ants”. They commonly come into your home in the Spring and Summer, scavenging for food. Odorous House Ants (Little Black Kitchen Ants) Nice little story on how these ants get into your home (and how to keep them out)

Carpenter Ants

Those big black ants that can sometimes be found around a home are Carpenter Ants. Read about this interesting species of ants: Carpenter Ant Basics 6 Videos about Carpenter Ants

Leaf-Cutter Ants

The amazing Leaf-Cutter Ant is a specialized ant that lives in the forest. (Did you know this type of ant farms? It actually grows crops!) Click on the WEB links below to learn and watch. More than you EVER wanted to know about Leaf-Cutter Ants Some great photos National Geographic Video on Leaf-Cutter Ants

Pharoah Ants

Pharoah Ants 101 Pharoah Ant Video

Ghost Ants

Everything you wanted to know about Ghost Ants Ghost Ants Change Colors

Red Imported Fire Ants

Fire Ants first game to the United States as ”stole-aways” in cargo. They are not called “fire ants” because of color, but because of the painful bite these aggressive little critters have. Click on the following WEBS links to learn more. Fire Ant Basics Fire Ants are Resourceful Fire Ant Bites

Army Ants

Army Ants are infamous foragers of the jungle. They are unstoppable. No animal can beat them. Their sheer numbers make even man flee. Read about these remarkable creatures. (A great movie to rent is National Geographic's “Army Ants: Inside the Ranks”.) Army Ants Video of Army Ants

The "Wise" and "Busy" Ant

Aesop"s Fables: The Ant The Bible and the Busy Ant

Ants are Cow Herders?

You have already learned about the Leaf-Cutter Ant that works as a “farmer”, planting and harvesting its crop of fungus. But did you know that ant herd cattle too? Click on the WEB link below to learn about this amazing feat. Ants Herding "Cattle"

Take a Quick Ant Quiz Ant Quiz

Coloring pages Ant Farm Ant Life Cycle

The Hard Working Ant

Ant Coloring Pages

Ant Activities Have Fun with an Ant Maze Ant Math Worksheet The Ant Colony Game Ant City Online Game

Ant Farm Kits

Start your own ant farm

Notebook Project for

The Mighty Ant During the course of your study in this Unit, you will be compiling a ‘Notebook”. You will need: B. C. D. E. F. G.

A 3-ring notebook (1/2 to 1” thick) Tabbed-dividers (15) with labels Internet access Printer (color is preferable) Glue stick (or glue, tape, etc) Fine-tip black marker

Before beginning this Unit Study on Ants, set up your notebook. The first section will be your introductory page, followed by Table of Contents (feel free to design your own :-) Insert the Tabbed Dividers and insert neatly-written labels in each tab Ant Basics Various species of Ants Interesting Extras Projects Then insert pages of writing paper in each section. See your instructor for information that is required for each section. For Recording Information about the various breeds of horses, here are some suggestions: “Common” Name of Breed “Scientific” Name of Breed Coloring & Height Characteristics Interesting or notable features

Bulletin Board Project A Bulletin Board is a wonderful way to show others what you have been learning. Ask your instructor for use of a bulletin board (or wall space) and design your own bulletin board, complete with information and photos. See suggestions below. Pick a type of Ant and put up information and photos Show the various commonly found ants in the United States: tell some basic information about that group and illustrate with images Make a bulletin board about the various Ants found throughout the world Make a bulletin board about Interesting Ant Facts (If you do not have a Bulletin Board, purchase poster board and make your display. Illustrate. Label neatly. Make it visually appealing, as well as informative. This is a great way to get the “creative juices” flowing :-) Work on your bulletin board to complete it

If you don't want to “journal” or make a bulletin board, then “lapbooking” might be just up your alley. Check out the great WEB links below to get you started. http://lapbooking.wordpress.com/ http://www.homeschoolshare.com/lapbooking_resources.php

Your purchase of this Unit Study entitles you to free updates for as long as you wish to use this Unit Study. That means if you purchased this Unit for one child, and wish to use it again at a later time, you can download a free updated Unit Study any time you wish. To access the updates (we update every December and June, or when someone is so kind as to notify us of a dead or down link), contact us at: [email protected]