The book emphasizes the importance of teachers using the activities to instill attitudes of discovery and stewardship of living things. Throughout the unit, students use mathematics to measure, map, quantify, and classify their findings. Each activity includes an overview, materials lists, and instructions for advance preparation and for carrying out the activity in class. In one activity, students locate and observe an ant trail. They begin without interfering with the ants and then displace an ant to observe how it finds its way back.
Students also investigate how ants respond to different foods.
As an extension, the students try to find non toxic ways to deter ants from invading their homes and schools. Margin notes contain teaching tips with sketches of the set ups. Additional information includes two student field guides, an annotated bibliography of children's literature that can be used with the unit, and summary outlines for each activity. Eisenhower National Clearinghouse. Teaching in the Standards-Based Classroom.