Read Antsters, by Cathi Hepworth. Discuss the ANT word pattern. Have the class choose 7 words they would like to use in a class story. Model writing the story with the children. All things could be categorized as outdoor things.
Students write, and the teacher facilitates.
Take time to share their stories during Share Time. Also find a way to celebrate their writings by publishing. It is also necessary to gather and use as a discussion various nonfiction books on ants, insects, etc. The two books I find especially helpful and interesting when building ant cities are Ant Cities by Arthur Dorros and Ants by Cynthia Overbeck. But as I mentioned before, most nonfiction books on ants have interesting and varied facts on their habitats.