Ants Never Nap at Picnics

from Harcourt’s Big Book of Rhymes, Grade 1, Collections Series

1. Reread the poem with a partner or group.

2. Listen for action words, also called verbs.

3. Decide which words name an action and

write them in a list.

Possible answers: Nap, do, nab, nip, grab, grip, tip toe

4. Reread the poem listening for naming words,

also called nouns. Again, make a list.

Possible answers: Ants, nap, picnics

Some discussion of pronouns / word referents,

may be needed for the word “they”.

5. Draw a picture of one of the nouns doing one of

the actions named by one of the verbs.

Possible answers:

*Ant napping

*Ant nabbing, nipping, grabbing or gripping an object or other character

*Ant tip toeing away

*Ant doing something

The nouns “picnic” and “nap” are not capable of action and therefore should not be illustrated.