The Ant Bully Lesson

 

"The Ant Bully" is a wonderful children's story about a little boy who is picked on, and in return picks on something smaller than him, ants. He learns throughout the story, the feeling of compassion and greater understanding towards others and how picking on the little guy, isn't so much fun.

The Ant Bully Lesson

The Ant Bully Lesson

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The Ant Bully Lesson

The Ant Bully Lesson

The lesson: Read the story or Watch the film "The Ant Bully" During the story or after the film ask the children questions about bulling. Before you respond, have the children think of their own answers. The goal is to get them thinking and interactive in the conversation.

What does it feel like to be bullied? Discuss the feeling or hurt and sadness and how it doesn't feel good.

What are different types of bulling? Discuss the different types such as hitting, kicking and name calling. Also discuss when kids try to get others to join in or be against another person is also a form of bulling.

Why do you think people bully? Do you think maybe they know or have someone in their lives that are a bully? Discuss how the little boy who bullied ants, also had a bully who was mean to him. The reason why he bullied ants is because he was hurting. It was easy to bully things that are smaller than you. Discuss with the children how bullies tend to be mean to others because they are hurting.

You can shrink your bully into an ant, so how else could you handle a bully? Discuss how children can walk away, tell a teacher or ignore the bully. Fighting back or hurting others doesn't solve the problem. When you ask the question referencing "shrinking" as they did in the book, you will defiantly get a laugh and their attention!

The Craft:

Ladybug walk: Every spring, you can purchase ladybugs at the local garden center. Take the children outside and open the package of ladybugs. Give each child a bug of their own to handle! Remind them to be calm and think like a ladybug. Also remind them and Watch their step and Watch the bugs walk on their arms and legs or even fly away.

Bug catchers: If ladybugs are not in season, you can also create "bug catchers". I found mine at the store (great place!) but you can find them in any toy story or pet shop. Plastic Fish tanks with lids also work well. You will need plastic bugs, letter stickers, and regular stickers. Decorate the plastic bug catchers. Have the children use the letter stickers to write either their name, or a word that would help them remember the bug catcher is for kindness. We used the word "Happy Bug". Tell the children, these bug catchers are for catching bugs inside the house. Instead of stepping on them like the ant bully, they could take them outside to their respective homes. (grass, rocks, tree etc)

Optional: You can also incorporate both crafts into one. Open the package of ladybugs and create bug catchers. Give each child a bug to bring home and release in their own back yard!

The Ant Bully Lesson