Introduction: What buzzing? Meet the Bees! (Day 1)
Focus: Introducing bees, basic body parts, and dispelling fear.
- Read Aloud: Read a simple, friendly book about bees (e.g., "The Very Greedy Bee" by Steve Smallman or a National Geographic Kids reader). Discuss what Mel already knows or thinks about bees.
- Bee Anatomy Craft: Use yellow and black construction paper, googly eyes, and pipe cleaners to create a simple bee model. As you assemble it, name the parts: head (with eyes and antennae), thorax (where wings and legs attach), and abdomen (with the stinger).
- Song/Movement: Learn and sing a bee song like "Baby Bumblebee" or make up movements for buzzing around the room like a bee.
Life Cycle of a Bee (Day 2)
Focus: Understanding the four stages of a bee's life.
- Life Cycle Introduction: Use simple picture cards or draw the four stages: egg, larva (like a little worm), pupa (changing stage), and adult bee. Explain each stage briefly.
- Playdough Fun: Use playdough to create models of each stage of the bee life cycle.
- Story Time: Read another bee-themed story, perhaps focusing on a bee growing up or working in the hive.
The Busy Hive & Sweet Honey (Day 3)
Focus: Learning about the beehive and honey production.
- Honeycomb Shapes: Look at pictures of honeycombs. Talk about the hexagon shape. Practice drawing hexagons or use hexagon blocks/tiles if available. Count the sides (6).
- Honey Taste Test (Optional & Allergy Check): If safe and appropriate, have a tiny taste of honey. Discuss its sweetness and where it comes from (bees collecting nectar). *Ensure no allergies.*
- Build a "Hive": Use blocks, cushions, or a cardboard box to build a pretend beehive Mel can crawl into. Pretend to be worker bees!
Super Pollinators! (Day 4)
Focus: Understanding pollination.
- Pollination Simulation: Use cheese puffs or chalk dust! Have Mel pretend to be a bee landing on one flower (a drawing or paper plate) and getting "pollen" (cheese puff dust/chalk) on their hands/fingers, then flying to another flower and transferring the pollen. Explain this helps flowers make seeds and fruits.
- Flower Observation: If possible, safely observe flowers outdoors. Look for bees (from a distance!) or other pollinators like butterflies. Discuss what they might be doing.
- Drawing: Draw pictures of bees visiting flowers.
Why We Need Bees & Review (Day 5)
Focus: Reinforcing the importance of bees and reviewing the week's learning.
- Importance Discussion: Talk about how bees help flowers grow and how that helps us get fruits and vegetables like apples, strawberries, and cucumbers. Why are bees important helpers?
- Bee Craft Finale: Create a bee-themed craft like fingerprint bees on a flower picture or paper plate bees.
- Review Game: Ask simple questions from the week: What parts does a bee have? What shape is a honeycomb cell? What important job do bees do for flowers? What sweet treat do bees make?
- Bee Dance: Learn about the "waggle dance" (a simple version!) - make up a little wiggle dance bees do to tell others where flowers are.