Buzz into Bee-lieving: Hive Heroes Unite!

Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th Grades

Project
1 week

Buzz into Bee-lieving: Hive Heroes Unite!

Jennifer Rector

Purpose

Students will actively engage in a week-long exploration of the essential role bees play in our local ecosystem. Through hands-on activities, they will collaborate with community partners such as the garden club, a local beekeeper, and Honeyville to gain firsthand insights. The purpose is to foster a deeper understanding of bee conservation and inspire actionable steps students can take to protect these vital pollinators.

Learning goals

Students will explore the life cycle and habitat of bees, understanding their critical role in pollination and the local ecosystem. They will collaborate with community partners such as the garden club, a local beekeeper, and Honeyville to learn about bee conservation and sustainable practices. By engaging in hands-on activities like building bee hotels and planting pollinator-friendly gardens, students will develop an appreciation for biodiversity and take actionable steps to protect bees.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.1: Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
NGSS - K-LS1-1: Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Common Core - CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.MD.A.2: Directly compare two objects with a measurable attribute in common, to see which object has "more of"/"less of" the attribute, and describe the difference.

Products

Students will collaborate to create a "Bee Awareness Campaign" that includes a colorful mural depicting the life cycle and importance of bees, which will be displayed in a prominent area of the school. They will also design and distribute informative flyers to educate peers and families about bee-friendly practices, such as planting native flowers. Additionally, students will work with the local beekeeper to produce a small batch of honey, which they will package and share with community partners, highlighting the significance of bees in our ecosystem.

Launch

Kick off the project with a visit from a local beekeeper who will bring a portable observation hive to the classroom. Students can observe bees up close, ask questions, and learn about the beekeeper's role in maintaining healthy bee populations. This interactive session will spark curiosity and set the stage for students to explore the essential question throughout the week.

Exhibition

Students will create a "Bee Awareness Fair" to showcase their learning and initiatives to protect bees. Each grade level will contribute a different element, such as bee-friendly garden plans, informational posters, and bee-themed art projects. The fair will feature interactive stations, including a demonstration by a local beekeeper and a honey tasting provided by Honeyville. The school garden club will guide students in planting bee-friendly flowers, and families will be invited to learn and participate in the activities.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Beekeeper Visit - Observe a portable observation hive brought by a local beekeeper, ask questions, and learn about the role of bees in ecosystems (45 min)	Bee Life Cycle Exploration - Use visuals and models to explore the life cycle of bees, focusing on their roles in pollination and the ecosystem (20 min) Bee Roles Discussion - Discuss the various roles bees play in the hive and their importance to the environment, referencing observations from Day 1 (25 min)	Create Bee-Friendly Garden Plans - Work with the school garden club to design plans for planting native flowers that attract and support bees (25 min) Bee Hotel Construction - Collaborate in small groups to build simple bee hotels using natural materials to provide habitats for solitary bees (20 min)	Informative Flyer Design - Design and create informative flyers about bee-friendly practices to educate peers and families (30 min) Mural Planning Session - Begin planning the mural depicting the life cycle and importance of bees, selecting designs and roles within groups (15 min)	Mural Creation - Collaborate on creating a colorful mural highlighting the life cycle and significance of bees, to be displayed in the school (30 min) Honey Tasting Preparation - Work with the local beekeeper to prepare a small batch of honey for tasting, discussing its production and importance (15 min)
Deliverables	1. A collaborative bee life cycle wheel created by students. 2. A colorful mural depicting the life cycle and importance of bees. 3. Informative flyers about bee-friendly practices, ready for distribution.
Preparation	1. Coordinate with the local beekeeper to schedule the classroom visit and honey production session. 2. Gather materials for the bee life cycle wheel activity, such as paper plates, brads, markers, and craft supplies. 3. Prepare planting areas and acquire bee-friendly flower seeds or plants in collaboration with the school garden club. 4. Provide materials for flyer creation, including paper, crayons, markers, and access to a printer for copies. 5. Organize a space for the mural project and gather paint, brushes, and large paper or canvas.