Family Times for May

Two Bad Ants

In this story, Chris Van Allsburg describes the world from the point of view of a colony of ants.  Intent on getting their queen all the sweet sugar she wants, they raid the sugar jar of a home. But two ants decide to hang back and stay in the sugar. They do not know what life is like in a kitchen for two ants! Tossed from the sugar to a cup of coffee, they end up in a toaster, the garbage disposal, and finally—a kitchen outlet. The ants are relieved to go home with the other ants the following night.

Activity                                         

Is It Worth It? Have you ever made a decision you later regretted? What happened? How did you fix the situation? Do you think you will make a different decision the next time you are in a similar situation? Talk over these questions together.

Literary Elements: Plot and Theme

The plot of a story includes the important things that happen at the beginning, middle, and end. As you read, ask "What is the big idea of the story?"

Activity

Today take time to tell each other about the important things that happened at the beginning, middle, and end of each of your days. Then think of the day as a whole and tell what kind of big idea might describe the day.

Words to Know

Knowing the meanings of these words is important to reading Two Bad Ants. Practice using these words.

Vocabulary Words

crystal a hard, solid piece of some substance that is naturally formed on flat surfaces and angles.

disappeared went out of sight

discovery see or find something for the first time

goal something that is desired; aim journey a long trip

joyful feeling, showing, or causing great happiness; glad

scoop a tool shaped like a small shovel, used for taking up substances

unaware not knowing or realizing

Spelling Words                      Skill:  Multisyllabic Words

leadership        gracefully         refreshment     uncomfortable              overdoing       

remarkable       carefully           unbearably       ownership                    unacceptable

impossibly        reappeared      oncoming         misbehaving                 unprepared

 

Commas

Commas are used between city and state, at the end of the greeting in a letter, and at the end of the closing of a letter. Commas separate anything that is listed in a series: I ate cheese, bread, grapes, and peanuts for lunch. Commas are also often used before the conjunction when joining two sentences together.

Activity

Colorful Commas Write each of the sentences below on lined paper. Omit all of the commas. Decide where the commas should go. Add the missing commas.

Dan, Kate, and Tanner are running.

I will clean my room, and then I will go to the park.

The cats jumped up on the wall, and then they began to howl.

I like the colors blue, yellow, and green.

My dad likes spaghetti, pizza, meatloaf, and split pea soup.