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3rd Grade  Project 4 weeks

Shape the Buzz: Design a Bee-Friendly Habitat

JaMia D
Updated
MA.3.GR.1.1
MA.3.GR.1.2
MA.3.GR.1.3
ELA.3.C.5.2
ELA.3.C.2.1
+ 5 more
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The Challenge

You depend on bees and other pollinators to support plant reproduction, food systems, and healthy ecosystems, yet habitat loss and limited access to suitable food and shelter threaten their survival. In shared spaces, close contact with bees can also create safety concerns that limit opportunities for observation and learning.

Challenge Question

How might we design a shape-based, bee-friendly habitat for our school garden so that bees can thrive and students can safely observe and learn about them?

Standards

  • [Florida] MA.3.GR.1.1 - Describe and draw points, lines, line segments, rays, intersecting lines, perpendicular lines and parallel lines. Identify these in two-dimensional figures.
  • [Florida] MA.3.GR.1.2 - Identify and draw quadrilaterals based on their defining attributes. Quadrilaterals include parallelograms, rhombi, rectangles, squares and trapezoids.
  • [Florida] MA.3.GR.1.3 - Draw line(s) of symmetry in a two-dimensional figure and identify line-symmetric two-dimensional figures.
  • [Florida] ELA.3.C.5.2 - Use digital writing tools individually or collaboratively to plan, draft, and revise writing.
  • [Florida] ELA.3.C.2.1 - Present information orally, in a logical sequence, using nonverbal cues, appropriate volume, and clear pronunciation.

Competencies

  • Collaboration - Students co-design projects with peers, exercise shared-decision making, strengthen relational agency, resolve conflict, and assume leadership roles.
  • Effective Communication - Students practice listening to understand, communicating with empathy, and share their learning through exhibiting, presenting and reflecting on their work.
  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.
  • Content Expertise - Students develop key competencies, skills, and dispositions with ample opportunities to apply knowledge and engage in work that matters to them.
  • Academic Mindset - Students establish a sense of place, identity, and belonging to increase self-efficacy while engaging in critical reflection and action.

Learning Partners and Clients

A local community garden or native plant garden association can share pollinator-friendly planting ideas, review habitat zones, and help students use their shape-based plans to improve a real outdoor space. A local beekeeper or beekeeping association can explain bees’ needs and safe observation practices. Both partners can provide feedback on how students’ habitat designs support pollinators without disturbing them.

Phase Overview

Phase Key Experiences
Discover
I can explore the school garden with my team, safely observe from a distance, and map how missing food, shelter, paths, and viewing boundaries create challenges for bees and student observers.
Examine
I can work as a conservation biologist to research bee needs and safe viewing practices with guidance from a beekeeper. I can work as an environmental scientist to identify how habitat features affect pollinators. I can work as a landscape architect to find and draw points, line segments, rays, intersecting, perpendicular, and parallel lines; classify quadrilaterals; and identify symmetry in sample garden plans.
Engineer
I can develop a labeled, digitally drafted garden plan and a small model with quadrilateral habitat zones, paths, shelter features, lines, and symmetry by sharing decisions and leadership with my team.
Do
I can place our prototype in a model garden scenario, gather peer data with a bee-support and safety checklist, and use the results and stakeholder feedback to revise our build-ready proposal.
Share
I can share our habitat plan, learning journey, revision notes, and what I learned about myself through a gallery walk and clear oral defense for the school garden team, beekeeper, community garden partners, peers, and families.