Teaching point-of-view with "Two Bad Ants"
http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=789
A lesson plan for grades 3–5 English Language Arts
This lesson that focuses on Chris Van Allsburg’s Two Bad Ants provides students with the opportunity to use illustrations and text to develop an understanding of the point-of-view of the characters. After explaining to students about point-of-view, the teacher shares a book from David M. Schwartz’s Look Once, Look Again series. As they follow along with the read-aloud, students examine pairs of photographs taken from different angles to explore how characters in books may view objects from different perspectives. Then, while reading Two Bad Ants, the teacher engages students in a discussion about how the text and the illustrations show objects from an ant’s point of view. Working in groups, students examine the illustrations and the text to find more evidence of situations described from the ant’s perspective. Using a graphic organizer for their information, students work together to think of everyday items that ants see one way and people see another. After students have completed the activity, they read the story again and discuss how their perspectives have changed. Students then work together to make an interactive book demonstrating that they understand an ant’s point-of-view. Readwritethink provides several extension activities and links to web resources about ants.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
English Language Arts (2004)
Grade 3
- Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
- Objective 2.04: Identify and interpret elements of fiction and nonfiction and support by referencing the text to determine the:
- author's purpose.
- plot.
- conflict.
- sequence.
- resolution.
- lesson and/or message.
- main idea and supporting details.
- cause and effect.
- fact and opinion.
- point of view (author and character).
- author's use of figurative language (e.g., simile, metaphor, imagery).
- Objective 2.04: Identify and interpret elements of fiction and nonfiction and support by referencing the text to determine the:
- Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
- Objective 3.01: Respond to fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama using interpretive, critical, and evaluative processes by:
- considering the differences among genres.
- relating plot, setting, and characters to own experiences and ideas.
- considering main character's point of view.
- participating in creative interpretations.
- making inferences and drawing conclusions about characters and events.
- reflecting on learning, gaining new insights, and identifying areas for further study.
- Objective 3.01: Respond to fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama using interpretive, critical, and evaluative processes by:
Grade 4
- Goal 3: The learner will make connections with text through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
- Objective 3.01: Respond to fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama using interpretive, critical, and evaluative processes by:
- analyzing the impact of authors' word choice and context.
- examining the reasons for characters' actions.
- identifying and examining characters' motives.
- considering a situation or problem from different characters' points of view.
- analyzing differences among genres.
- making inferences and drawing conclusions about characters, events and themes.
- Objective 3.01: Respond to fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama using interpretive, critical, and evaluative processes by:
Grade 5
- Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
- Objective 3.01: Respond to fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama using interpretive, critical, and evaluative processes by:
- analyzing word choice and content.
- examining reasons for a character's actions, taking into account the situation and basic motivation of the character.
- creating and presenting a product that effectively demonstrates a personal response to a selection or experience.
- examining alternative perspectives.
- evaluating the differences among genres.
- examining relationships among characters.
- making and evaluating inferences and conclusions about characters, events and themes.
- Objective 3.01: Respond to fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama using interpretive, critical, and evaluative processes by:
