KIDzANTS and Beyond: Educational Materials for Young People About Imported Fire Ants
The following learning lessons explain where fire ants came from, and discuss fire ant biology and behavior. Instructions for hands-on experiments and exercises are included.
Lessons for Age Range 3rd – 5th Grade
For a master list of the activities included in these lessons, see List of Exercises Included in the eXtension Imported Fire Ant Youth Module
- Invaders by Sea: Imported Fire Ants (How imported fire ants came to the United States)
- Fire Ant Physiques (How the different body parts of a fire ant fit together)
- Life in a Fire Ant Family (See the different life stages of the fire ant, play the Life Cycle Game)
- Living It Up in a Fire Ant Nest (See how all those ants live together in a small dark place, play the Mound of Trouble Matching Game)
- A Fire Ant Smorgasbord (See what kinds of foods fire ant eat, learn about food preferences)
- Fire Ants and Big-Headed Ants and Crazy Ants — Oh, My! (How to tell imported fire ants from other common ants, play the Be An Ant Scientist and the Be An Ant Detective Game)
- Ouch! I’ve Been Stung By a Fire Ant (Learn more about how a fire ant stings)
Resources
- Imported Fire Ants Glossary
- KIDzANTS A Resource on Imported Fire Ants for Teachers (The original classroom materials developed by Texas AgriLife Extension Service)
- Additional Resources/Activities for Fire Ants Youth Module
Resources for Pre-School to 4th Grade
Resources for 4th Grade to 12th Grade
- Life of a Fire Ant Video (This video describes where imported fire ants came from, and what life is like in a fire ant colony)
- Be An Ant Detective Game in Second Life
- Top of the Mound Game