PIAT Lesson plans for invasive ants
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The PIAT lesson plans are targeted towards primary school children aged 7-11 years. However, the material in the lesson plans could be quite easily tailored for older students. Learning outcomes : How to run the lessons : Sharing stories |
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Learning outcomes
Students will learn about the five worst invasive ant pests, the problems they cause, where they come from and how they enter the country. They will also learn how to look for ants that may have crossed the border and what they and their community can do to help prevent them from getting in.
At the end of this lesson students will know that, while ants are generally good for the environment, there are five key invasive ant species in the Pacific which cause problems to people, agriculture and the natural environment.
The students also learn where the ants came from and how they have traveled through the Pacific. Using this knowledge the students should be encouraged to think of ways to stop the ants from entering their country, and to design a poster to let their community know about one of the invaders.
The activities involve scientific observation, numeracy and creative work.
How to run the lessons
The theme centres on basic information about invasive ants. Students will have the opportunity to learn where the ants come from and how they have travelled through the Pacific. As part of a values-driven and student-centric approach, they will also discuss and strategise ways to stop ants from entering their country, and to design a poster to let their community know about the invasive ant species that are a threat.
There are 5 lessons with a thematic teacher’s guide. Each lesson includes lesson plans, PowerPoint slides and activity annexes. Please read the teacher's guide before taking the lessons.
There are three versions of the Lesson Plans. Version 1 includes lessons that are each 45 minutes long. For Version 2, Lesson 1 is 60 minutes long, and lessons 2-5 are 90 minutes. Version 3 is designed to fit the Kiribati curriculum, with the content from the five lessons in one 45 minute lesson. Version 3 incorporates the ants and ladders game, which the other lessons do not.
Version 1: 5 x 45 minute lessons
Teacher's guide to the lessons. You can download all the resources needed for these lessons in a compressed file.
- PIAT Lesson 1: Hi Ants!
- PIAT Lesson 2: The 5 Worst Invasive Ants In The Pacific
- PIAT Lesson 3: Where Did The Ants Come From?
- PIAT Lesson 4: Stop The Ants!
- PIAT Lesson 5: What Can We Do To Help
PIAT Lesson 1: Hi Ants!
In this lesson, students will be able to learn more about ants and the how some of them are good while others are bad.
Lesson 1 Lesson Plan: Word document : PowerPoint presentation : PDF : PowerPoint PDF
Lesson 1 Annex 1 (graphic organiser): Word document : PDF
PIAT Lesson 2: The 5 Worst Invasive Ants In The Pacific
In this lesson, students will learn about the 5 worst invasive ants in the pacific and explore the damage they cause.
Lesson 2 Lesson Plan: Word document : PowerPoint presentation : PDF : PowerPoint PDF
Lesson 2 Annex 1 (key to icons): PDF
Lesson 2 Annex 2 (mind map): PDF
Lesson 2 Annex 3a (life cycle): PDF
Lesson 2 Annex 3b (life cycle answers): PDF
Lesson 2 Video (Invasive species)
PIAT Lesson 3: Where Did The Ants Come From?
In this lesson, students will learn what attracts the ants and explain how the ants come to the islands.
Lesson 3 Lesson Plan: Word document : PowerPoint presentation : PDF : PowerPoint PDF
Lesson 3 Annex 1a (match word to pictures): PDF
Lesson 3 Annex 1b (match word to pictures answers): PDF
PIAT Lesson 4: Stop The Ants!
In this lesson, students will learn about the importance of biosecurity and ways to stop the ants from invading.
Lesson 4 Lesson Plan: Word document : PowerPoint presentation : PDF : PowerPoint PDF
Lesson 4 Annex 1 (graphic organiser): Word document : PDF
PIAT Lesson 5: What Can We Do To Help
In this lesson, students will create an awareness poster where teachers can assess holistically the students for overall understanding of the 5 lessons.
Lesson 5 Lesson Plan: Word document : PowerPoint presentation : PDF : PowerPoint PDF
Lesson 5 Annex 1 (appreciation stars): Word document : PDF : image (jpg)
Assignment 1a (word search - younger): PDF
Assignment 1b (word search - older): PDF
Assignment 2 (crossword): PDF
Version 2: 1 x 60 minute, 4 x 90 minute lessons
Teacher's guide to the lessons. You can download all the resources needed for these lessons in a compressed file.
- PIAT Lesson 1: Hi Ants!
- PIAT Lesson 2: The 5 Worst Invasive Ants In The Pacific
- PIAT Lesson 3: Where Did The Ants Come From?
- PIAT Lesson 4: Stop The Ants!
- PIAT Lesson 5: What Can We Do To Help
PIAT Lesson 1: Hi Ants!
In this lesson, students will be able to learn more about ants and the how some of them are good while others are bad.
Lesson 1 Lesson Plan: Word document : PowerPoint presentation : PDF : PowerPoint PDF
Lesson 1 Annex 1 (graphic organiser): Word document : PDF
PIAT Lesson 2: The 5 Worst Invasive Ants In The Pacific
In this lesson, students will learn about the 5 worst invasive ants in the pacific and explore the damage they cause.
Lesson 2 Lesson Plan: Word document : PowerPoint presentation : PDF : PowerPoint PDF
Lesson 2 Annex 1 (key to icons): PDF
Lesson 2 Annex 2 (mind map): PDF
Lesson 2 Annex 3a (life cycle): PDF
Lesson 2 Annex 3b (life cycle answers): PDF
Lesson 2 Video (Invasive species)
PIAT Lesson 3: Where Did The Ants Come From?
In this lesson, students will learn what attracts the ants and explain how the ants come to the islands.
Lesson 3 Lesson Plan: Word document : PowerPoint presentation : PDF : PowerPoint PDF
Lesson 3 Annex 1a (match word to pictures): PDF
Lesson 3 Annex 1b (match word to pictures answers): PDF
PIAT Lesson 4: Stop The Ants!
In this lesson, students will learn about the importance of biosecurity and ways to stop the ants from invading.
Lesson 4 Lesson Plan: Word document : PowerPoint presentation : PDF : PowerPoint PDF
Lesson 4 Annex 1 (graphic organiser): Word document : PDF
PIAT Lesson 5: What Can We Do To Help
In this lesson, students will create an awareness poster where teachers can assess holistically the students for overall understanding of the 5 lessons.
Lesson 5 Lesson Plan: Word document : PowerPoint presentation : PDF : PowerPoint PDF
Lesson 5 Annex 1 (appreciation stars): Word document : PDF : image (jpg)
Assignment 1a (word search - younger): PDF
Assignment 1b (word search - older): PDF
Assignment 2 (crossword): PDF
Version 3: single 45 minute lesson for Kiribati school curriculum
Through this lesson, students will able to:
- Identify an ant as a living thing.
- Understand that not all ants are invasive.
- List the positive and negative impacts of ants on our environment.
- Use the skills of self-management, responsible decision-making and problem-solving and exhibit the values of care, respect and social-awareness.
You can download all the resources needed for these lessons in a compressed file.
Lesson Plan: Word document : PowerPoint presentation : PDF : PowerPoint PDF
Lesson Annex 1a (i-Kiribati ants and ladders game): PDF PowerPoint
Lesson Annex 1b (English ants and ladders game): PDF PowerPoint
Lesson Annex 2 (make your own dice): Word document jpg image
Lesson Annex 3 (make your own counters): Word document jpg image
Sharing stories
Students can collect stories from older members of the community. They can ask what has changed since earlier times. Have they noticed new species of plants and animals? How has this changed the way of life, and the native animals and plants?
See also the fun activities for young people for other ideas.
content reviewed by Marion Saunders, Pinehaven School NZ, June 2016 & Ganges Lim, Pacific Biosecurity May 2018