Marching Ants: A Counting and Rhyming Adventure!

English Language Arts Grades Pre-K 4:11 Video
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Lesson Description

Let's explore counting, rhyming, and fun actions with the 'Ants Go Marching' song!

Video Resource

The ants go marching one by one song | Ants at war

Turtle Interactive

Duration: 4:11
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Counting from one to ten
  • Rhyming words
  • Following directions
  • Action words (verbs)

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to count from one to ten.
  • Students will be able to identify rhyming words in the song.
  • Students will be able to follow simple instructions related to the song.
  • Students will be able to demonstrate actions described in the song.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students if they know any songs about ants. Introduce the 'Ants Go Marching' song and explain that they will be learning about counting and rhyming with it.
  • Video Viewing (5 mins)
    Play the 'The ants go marching one by one song | Ants at war' video. Encourage students to listen carefully to the words and watch the actions.
  • Sing-Along and Action Time (10 mins)
    Sing the song together as a class. For each verse, act out the action the 'little one' does (e.g., suck thumb, tie shoes, climb a tree). Emphasize the counting and the rhyming words.
  • Rhyme Recognition (5 mins)
    Ask students to identify the rhyming words in each verse (e.g., 'one' and 'thumb', 'two' and 'shoe').
  • Counting Activity (5 mins)
    Use fingers or objects to represent the number of ants in each verse. For example, hold up one finger when singing 'one by one', two fingers for 'two by two', and so on.
  • Wrap-up (5 mins)
    Review the counting and rhyming words. Ask students what their favorite part of the song was.

Interactive Exercises

  • Action Charades
    Call out a number and an action from the song (e.g., 'Five - Dive!'). Have students act out the action.
  • Rhyme Time
    Say a word, and ask students to think of a word that rhymes. If they are struggling, use examples from the song (e.g., 'What rhymes with tree?').

Discussion Questions

  • What does it mean when the song says 'Hurrah! Hurrah!'?
  • What is your favorite action the little ant does?

Skills Developed

  • Listening comprehension
  • Counting
  • Rhyme recognition
  • Following directions
  • Verbal communication

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

The ants go marching one by _____

Correct Answer: One

Question 2:

The little ant stops to suck his _____

Correct Answer: Thumb

Question 3:

How many ants go marching 'two by two'?

Correct Answer: Two

Question 4:

The little ant stops to tie his _____

Correct Answer: Shoes

Question 5:

The little ant stops to climb a _____

Correct Answer: Tree

Question 6:

The little ant stops to shut the _____

Correct Answer: Door

Question 7:

The little ant stops to take a _____

Correct Answer: Dive

Question 8:

The little ant stops to pick up _____

Correct Answer: Sticks

Question 9:

The little ant stops to pray to _____

Correct Answer: Heaven

Question 10:

The little ant stops to roller-_____

Correct Answer: Skate

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The ants go marching _____ by one.

Correct Answer: one

Question 2:

They all go marching down to the _____.

Correct Answer: ground

Question 3:

The ants go marching two by _____.

Correct Answer: two

Question 4:

The ants go marching three by _____.

Correct Answer: three

Question 5:

The ants go marching four by _____.

Correct Answer: four

Question 6:

The ants go marching five by _____.

Correct Answer: five

Question 7:

The ants go marching six by _____.

Correct Answer: six

Question 8:

The ants go marching seven by _____.

Correct Answer: seven

Question 9:

The ants go marching eight by _____.

Correct Answer: eight

Question 10:

The ants go marching nine by _____.

Correct Answer: nine

Educational Standards

PK.1.L.1:Students will actively listen using agreed-upon rules with prompting. PK.2.PA.2:Students will recognize spoken words that rhyme (e.g., wall & fall). PK.2.F.2:Students will chorally recite familiar texts (e.g., rhymes, songs, poetry, etc.). PK.2.R:Students will begin to retell or reenact major events or details from a read-aloud.

Teaching Materials

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