Page 43 - kids ebook

Beeswax
Objectives:

 Understand where beeswax comes from,
 Discuss the multiple uses of beeswax,
 Observe and discuss hexagons in the beehive.

Materials:
Beeswax, wicks, beeswax candles and bars, foundation, small bags, crayons, stamps, stamp pads.

Activity and Discussion:
 Each student will roll a beeswax candle,
 Tell them how beeswax is made,
 Ask them to tell you the uses of beeswax (candles, lotion, lip balm, car and furniture polish, musical instru-
ment wax, etc.)
 They will also decorate a bag with honey comb pattern, ask them why they think bees use hexagons (it’s the
strongest shape, they can pack in LOTS of honey, pollen, and brood)
 Tell them how honey comb is made (sound and heat)

Bee Habitat
Objectives:
 Learn what is essential to bee survival,
 Learn how to plan a bee habitat.

Materials:

Garden and farm models

Activity and Discussion:

 Students will have two “landscapes” to “manage” - a farm and a garden.
 In both situations they will be presented with problems, then be asked to develop potential solutions, and
then take action!
 There will be a model “farm” and a “garden” - the farm only has the crops planted, but no additional food wa-
ter and shelter (i.e. “habitat”) for the bees and beneficial insects. The garden has veggie plots, but no addition-
al food, water, and shelter (i.e. “habitat”) for the bees and beneficial insects.
 Show them pictures of the bumble bee, honey bee, and solitary tunnel and ground nesting native bees. Let
them know that it’s important to have insects on the landscape to provide pollination, and they all have differ-
ent habitat needs.
 Ask them if they know what bee habitat is? Answer: food, water, shelter.
 Point out the bee shelter habitats: brush piles (solitary tunnel nesting), bunch grass (bumble bee), bee hive
(honey bee), and bare dirt (solitary ground nesting).
 Ask them what they can also use to provide water (ponds, fountains, drip irrigation) and food (flowers)?
 Ask them to use the available resources to take action, and solve problems in the farm and garden.

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