Teaching Point of View with Two Bad Ants

This lesson provides students with the opportunity to use illustrations and text to develop an understanding of the point of view of the characters. Students read the story Two Bad Ants by Chris Van Allsburg, work in pairs to analyze the illustrations and text, and compare and contrast points of view. After rereading the story, students apply their knowledge of point of view by writing a short story from an ant's perspective. This lesson will provide students the opportunity to identify point of view in a story by examining the text and illustrations, thinking about how an ant "sees" the world.  Students will apply their knowledge and understanding of point of view by writing and illustrating a story from the perspective of the main character (in this case, an ant)

Standards & Objectives

Learning objectives: 

Students will:

  • Identify point of view in a story by examining the text and illustrations, thinking about how an ant "sees" the world
  • Demonstrate that they understand point of view by finding specific examples or evidence from of the ant's point of view in the text
  • Apply their knowledge and understanding of point of view by writing and illustrating a story from the perspective of the main character (in this case, an ant) 
     

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level: 
Understanding
Extension suggestions: 
  • Have each student choose one illustration in Two Bad Ants and write a detailed account of how an ant would view this experience.
  • Have each student imagine another predicament that the ants could get into and draw a picture from an ant's point of view.
  • Have students read Hey, Little Ant by Philip M. Hoose (Tricycle Press, 1998) in pairs, which allows them to reinforce their concept of point of view. One student should read the part of the boy, and another should read the part of the ant.
  • Students can discover additional information about ants at the following websites:
  • Enchanted Learning: Ants
  • PestWorld for Kids: Ants
  • Students can learn more about Chris Van Allsburg by viewing the Chris Van Allsburg: A Who2 Profile website, which has links to a biographical sketch and teacher resources

Helpful Hints

Materials and Technology:

  • A book by David M. Schwartz from the Look Once, Look Again series (Creative Teaching Press)
  • Several copies of Two Bad Ants by Chris Van Allsburg (Houghton Mifflin, 1988) 
  • Chart paper

References

Contributors: