I Have Ants in My Pants SEL Book Companion

Description

Do your students ever feel like they have “ants in their pants”? Help students learn self-control, focus, and positive classroom behavior with this engaging SEL I Have Ants in My Pants SEL Book Companion resource based on the beloved story I Have Ants in My Pants! by Julia Cook. This comprehensive activity packet helps students explore how to manage their energy, make positive choices, and understand how their behavior affects others.

Designed for Kindergarten through 4th grade, this resource combines reading comprehension, writing, social-emotional learning, and interactive activities to help students practice impulse control and responsible decision-making in a fun and meaningful way.

Through story reflection, discussion, and hands-on activities, students learn that everyone sometimes feels wiggly or distracted—but there are strategies that help them stay calm, focused, and successful in class. The activities encourage students to recognize emotions, practice self-regulation strategies, and reflect on their own learning behaviors.

 

Why Teachers Love This Resource

Supports behavior management and SEL instruction

Encourages meaningful classroom discussions

Engaging activities that students relate to

Perfect companion to a popular Julia Cook SEL book

No prep – just print and teach!

 

Perfect For

SEL lessons

Classroom counseling lessons

Read-aloud companion activities

Whole group discussion

Small group instruction

Behavior intervention lessons

Morning meeting

Character education

Social skills groups

What’s Included

This 29-page resource with 13 engaging activities helps teachers guide meaningful discussions and learning experiences about focus, behavior, and self-control.

Students will practice comprehension, reflection, and SEL skills with activities such as:

Prediction activity
Story elements (characters, setting, problem, solution)
Theme or message writing activity
Beginning–Middle–End summary page
Reading comprehension questions
True or False comprehension activity
Character traits graphic organizer
Character analysis activity
Student writing prompt
Vocabulary word search
Teacher-led discussion prompts
Role-play activity for making good choices
Scenario cards and strategy cards for practicing classroom decisions
Optional SEL activity: “My Self-Control Superpower” reflection activity

These activities help students identify the story’s message about learning strategies to manage energy and improve focus in the classroom.

Skills Students Will Practice

Reading comprehension
Identifying story elements
Character analysis
Summarizing a story
Identifying theme and message
Social-emotional learning
Self-control and impulse control
Responsible decision-making
Self-reflection and writing

Students also explore how teachers and students can work together to solve problems and build positive classroom behaviors.

Perfect For

• SEL lessons
• Classroom counseling lessons
• Read-aloud companion activities
• Whole group discussion
• Small group instruction
• Behavior intervention lessons
• Morning meeting
• Character education
• Social skills groups

 

Standards Alignment

This resource supports literacy and SEL standards including Common Core, TEKS, and Virginia SOL standards.

Common Core Standards (CCSS)

Reading Literature

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.1 – Ask and answer questions about key details
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.2 – Determine the central message or lesson
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.3 – Describe characters and explain actions
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.2 – Determine theme of a story

Writing

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.3 – Write narratives and reflections
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.8 – Recall information from experiences
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.3 – Write narratives and reflections

Speaking & Listening

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.1 – Participate in collaborative discussions
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1 – Build on others’ ideas during discussions

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)

Reading / Language Arts

• TEKS ELAR 1.6 – Comprehension skills
• TEKS ELAR 2.6 – Respond to text and discuss theme
• TEKS ELAR 3.6 – Make connections and discuss story elements
• TEKS ELAR 4.6 – Analyze characters and plot

Writing

• TEKS ELAR 2.11 – Writing process
• TEKS ELAR 3.11 – Writing about personal experiences

Virginia Standards of Learning (VA SOL)

Reading

• SOL 1.5 – Ask and answer questions about stories
• SOL 2.5 – Identify characters, setting, and events
• SOL 3.5 – Make connections and describe character traits
• SOL 4.5 – Identify theme and summarize text

Communication

• SOL 1.1 / 2.1 – Participate in group discussions
• SOL 3.1 – Express ideas and support responses