Enquirer photos by Patrick Reddy

Kindergartner Alyssa Sheldon lies on a sheet of paper in the hallway of Fourth Street Elementary School as teacher's assistant Monica Tafolla traces her outline for a project designed to teach respect for others. Watching is James Turner.

Fourth Street Elementary School kindergartner Klyne Lum Kin wants to answer a question about the book "Hey, Little Ant," which is used to teach respect for others.

A little boy is about to squish an ant. Why not? All kids do it.

But just before his sneaker flattens the insect, the ant pleads for his life.

"I dig our nest and feed baby ants, too," said the ant. "I must not die beneath your shoe."

So what should the boy do?

That story comes from the book "Hey, Little Ant," by Phillip and Hannah Hoose. That open-ended question is how the book ends.

It can be a tough question for kindergartners to answer, but one that the 52 here at Fourth Street Elementary School are discussing all week.

It's the focus of a five-day service project about showing respect and being kind to others.

"You shouldn't squish the ant, because he's important, too," said 5-year-old Abby Livingood.

"The boy shouldn't kill him," added Robert Combs, 6. "The ant's mom wants to keep him."

The project was organized by Maria Carter at Children Inc. and kindergarten teacher Michelle Ott. The children read the story Monday and looked at life from the ant's perspective.

On Tuesday, they traced their bodies on pieces of paper and colored in their physical characteristics. Today, they will discuss their differences and display the pictures in the gym, linked hand-in-hand, as a circle of friends.

"This gives them the chance to know that even though they are different from other kids, they're all special in their own way," Ott said.

On Thursday, they will watch a video from Shriners Hospital for Children in Cincinnati and make a collage of pictures for the patients there.

"We want to teach our kids that it doesn't matter if they are in a wheelchair or don't have two arms," Ott said. "We all deserve respect."

On Friday, each student will celebrate what he or she learned by icing a cupcake and giving it to a friend.

Jalen Gross, 6, said he's learned a lot from the boy and little ant.

"I learned I should not fight and we should play together and be happy and play basketball together," Jalen said

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