Lesson summary
Bees pollinate at least a third of everything we eat and play a vital role in sustaining our ecosystems; therefore they need to be valued and protected. In this lesson students are connected to the wonder of bees by observing them interacting with plants in their schoolyard and in their gardens at home. Using their senses, they conduct a series of observations over a predetermined period of time (week/month/season/term) and then complete an analysis of their data, looking for patterns relating to the presence or absence of bees, bee behaviour and suitability of bee friendly plants. Finally, students produce a poster detailing their findings.
Essential questions:
- Where can we observe bees?
- What is a bee friendly plant?
- Are there any bee friendly plants in the yard at school or at home?
- How do bees and other animals interact with bee friendly plants in the yard at school or at home?
- What do I notice about the bees in the yard at school or at home?
Lesson guides and printables
Lesson details
Curriculum Mapping
Australian curriculum content descriptions:
Year 5 Science:
- Living things have structural features and adaptations that help them to survive in their environment (ACSSU043)
- With guidance, pose clarifying questions and make predictions about scientific investigations (ACSIS231)
- Compare data with predictions and use as evidence in developing explanations (ACSIS218)
- Communicate ideas, explanations and processes using scientific representations in a variety of ways, including multi-modal texts (ACSIS093)
Year 6 Science:
- The growth and survival of living things are affected by physical conditions of their environment (ACSSU094)
- With guidance, pose clarifying questions and make predictions about scientific investigations (ACSIS232)
- Compare data with predictions and use as evidence in developing explanations (ACSIS221)
- Communicate ideas, explanations and processes using scientific representations in a variety of ways, including multi-modal texts (ACSIS110)
General capabilities: Ethical Understanding, Personal and Social Capability
Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.4, OI.5.
Relevant parts of Year 5 Science achievement standards: Analyse how the form of living things enables them to function in their environments.
Relevant parts of Year 6 Science achievement standards: Describe and predict the effect of environmental changes on individual living things.
Unit of work: Love Food? Love Bees!
Time required: 120 mins. However, the observation sessions will continue to run over a set period of time (week/month/season/term).
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – facilitate class discussion.
Resources required
- Double-sided printed copies of Beeing Observant Record Sheet for each student at the commencement of each observation session, pen/pencil
- Printed copies of the Bee Poster Template for each student
- Optional: Bee safe! Factsheet, Honey Bees and European Wasps Factsheet, Some Interesting Facts About Bees
Skills
This lesson is designed to build students’ competencies in the following skills:
- Communication
- Problem solving
- Collaboration
- Critical thinking
- Creativity
Additional info
This lesson has been created in partnership with ACT for Bees. ACT for Bees is a not-for-profit organisation taking action to preserve these essential pollinators, ensuring a food-secure future.
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