All about ANT Package - Life cycle Models /Nomenclature Cards/ 4 Part cards/Knobbed puzzle

For Items 1. and 2. : A non reading child can match the labelled cards to the models

Item 1.: Description

• Interesting and interactive material to ignite curiosity to learn about the lifecycle.
• Introduces the stages of the ant lifecycle in a visual manner.
• Fun way to learn science and discover the wonders of nature.
• Child will be able to order the lifecycle stages starting from egg to ant and understand how a ant is born.

  Item 2. : Description

• This is an extension from the Lifecycle of a Ant model. The model was for visual learning now the child has progressed on to abstract.
• Child manipulates with these cards to internalize the information provided on the cards for example the different stages of the ant lifecycle.
• It enhances the child’s concentration and eye hand coordination, as the child has to match the correct picture and word label to the control.
• It is an excellent tool to train matching skills and enhance on the child’s reading skills.
• It cultivates the curiosity to find out more information about the stages of each part. For example, what happens when it is an egg? 

How to use: Presentation 1: Lifecycle models

Note: Child does not need to be a reader for this activity.

1. Remove the lifecycle models and arrange randomly on mat or table.
2. Allow child to explore and share prior knowledge.
3. Ask child to observe the eggs.
4. Inform child, “The ant lays the eggs.
5. “ (For more information refer to the information cards in the 4 part cards.)
6. Repeat for the remaining 3 models.
7. Arrange the lifecycle models in a circular form as shown in the picture.

Extension: If child can read you can match the word labels to the models and follow-up with a worksheet or lifecycle craft. This will reinforce the lesson on the lifecycle stages for the child.

Presentation 2: Lifecycle cards (For children who are beginning readers)

1. Review the lifecycle models.
2. Remove the control card. Arrange on the top starting with egg, followed by the other models, from left to right.
3. Match the models to the control cards (picture and word) to show the connection of concrete to abstract.
4. Remove the models.
5. Match the picture cards to the control cards.
6. Repeat with the word cards.
7. Review the lifecycle using the 3 Period Lesson. “This is the egg”,followed by the other stages. Now, “Show me the egg”, child to point at the corresponding picture card. Point at the egg stage and ask, “Tell me what is this?” Repeat for all the cards.
8. Use the information cards and share what happens at each stage.

Extension:

A child who can read and write and draw the stages and describe then using the information cards as a guide.

Note: This activity enhances the child’s language; fine motor skills, numeracy, science and discovery of the world. The child is aware of how things work in nature.

For Item 3. Description

• Fun and stimulates child’s interest in the natural world and help them identify the animals represented.
• Provides hands-on opportunity to learn the anatomical parts of each animal. 
• Each puzzle piece has a wooden knob, which encourages both tactile and visual sensory skills and enhances fine motor skills.
• Child will use their finger in pincer grip to grab the knob, which indirectly prepares the child to holding a pencil for writing in the future.
• This is a self-correcting material, which encourages problem-solving skills, as child has to figure out independently on how to fix the pieces of the puzzle.
• It enhances the child’s eye hand co-ordination and gives the child a challenge to overcome.

 Age: 3 years and above

For item 4. : 3 Part Nomenclature Cards: Parts of a Ant

Description

• This is an extension from the Parts of a Ant puzzle. The puzzle was for visual learning now the child has progressed on to abstract.
• Child manipulates with these cards to internalize the information provided on the cards for example the different parts of the butterfly.
• It enhances the child’s concentration and eye hand coordination, as the child has to match the correct picture and word label to the control.
• It is an excellent tool to train matching skills and enhance on the child’s reading skills.
• It cultivates the curiosity to find out more information about the function of each part. For example, what are the feelers for?

 Age: 3 years and above (Note: Child should be a beginning reader)

 How to use: Presentation of Puzzle

1. Begin with the puzzle.
2. Remove each piece from the knob emphasizing on the pencil grip.
3. Introduce the name of each piece by pointing at it. Ask child to show the parts as you name them. Point at the part and ask child, “What is this?” (Note: This is called the 3 Period Lesson in Montessori demonstrations.)
4. Build the puzzle outside of the wooden tray.
5. Build the puzzle back into the tray.

 Presentation of 3 Part Cards

1. Bring the puzzle to the mat, ask child to share about the puzzle.
2. Inform child “Today we will be learning about the parts in detail.”
3. Lay out the control cards (picture with word) from left to right on the top of the table or mat.
4. Match the picture to the control. Repeat for word.
5. Introduce the different parts by saying, “This is the head.” Repeat for all parts.
6. Point the parts on the card to the puzzle. This helps the child make the connection from puzzle to card and makes it easier to progress from concrete to abstract.
7. Ask child, “Show me the head.”Repeat for all parts. (Note: child to point at the part you are asking to show.)
8. Point to the control card one at a time and ask, “What is this?”Repeat for all cards.
9. In the next lesson ask child to lay the cards and match the control card with the corresponding picture and word cards.
10. If child is able to name 50% of the parts correctly it will be good to share the function of the parts. This enhances on the child’s general knowledge.

 Extension: Child can make a Parts of Butterfly Booklet.

Child will follow the 3 Part Cards as a guide and make his own parts of an ant booklet. For a fluent reader he can make a sentence/sentences to describe the function of each body part. Child must be ready to write to make this booklet.