A Day Learning About Bees
The sun was shining, the weather was warm, and although there was a chance of thunderstorms, we weren't sure if we would actually get the opportunity to see the bees up close because of the possibility of rain.
When we arrived at the farm, our group met with Amy, who was all ready in her bee suit and excited to educate us about bees, their livelihood, their habitat, and the different types of bees that make up their world.
Little Scientists, Big Questions
Amy started by presenting to the kids about the importance of bees and why they are so essential to our ecosystem. We learned why bees need to be protected, what bees are, and the different roles they play.
We learned about the worker bees, the drone bees, and the queen bee.
Amy wanted the kids to share what they already knew about bees because these little scientists in the making always have such wonderful things to share from the documentaries they watch and the books they read. One of the beautiful things about homeschooling is that children get to dive deep into topics they are interested in and explore their curiosity.
Some children shared how bees make honey, what wasps are, and why wasps and bees are different. Amy corrected the ideas that needed correcting and encouraged the ones that were right.
The Life Cycle of a Bee
The children learned about bee boogers and their importance, the royal jelly that bees collect for their Queen to eat, and bee bread. They learned about the life cycle of bees and how they begin as an egg, then become a larva, pupa, and finally an adult bee.
Amy brought a pretend bee hive with printed examples of the different stages inside the hive so the children could visualize how the life cycle looks. She also had a poster showing the life cycle, and the kids got involved by using Velcro to place each stage in the correct order.
They also learned how bees clean their little rooms and spaces inside the hive. The moms took this opportunity to remind the children that even tiny bugs clean their rooms, so we should remember to clean ours too (lol).
Suiting Up Like Real Beekeepers
We watched as the clouds slowly drifted away and the chance of rain seemed further and further away. Then came the part everyone was waiting for, the most exciting part of course.
The children and moms' favourite part was getting into the bee suits.
Some suits were bright white and some were yellow, and it looked like we had our own little hive with adult bees and tiny worker bees walking around.
Putting on the bee suits made us appreciate beekeepers even more and how much work goes into preparing to care for hives. Wearing a proper and clean bee suit is important to protect yourself from stings while working with bees.
Amy shared how many times she has been stung. Some stings were painful, while others she didn't even realize happened until she got home and noticed the big bumps later. She taught the kids about different types of stings and explained that if you want to save a bee after it has stung you, you should remove the stinger the way you would use a screwdriver. However, she warned that if you do that, there is a chance the bee might sting again.
Inside the Hive
Amy then opened one of her smaller hives so we could see what a real hive looks like by removing the inner cover. As she opened it, she noticed the bees were calm, which was perfect for the kids to study and have a closer look.
The children got to see the hive up close and observe the worker bees. Amy pointed out the drone bees and showed them the larvae in their little spaces. Then came the search for the queen bee.
We weren't able to find the queen bee that day, but we were able to see so many other amazing parts of the hive. The kids even took turns holding a drone bee, and it was incredible to see that when you learn about living organisms, even ones that seem scary like bees, you become less afraid.
Knowledge really is one of the best ways to remove fear, but also to understand how important bees are and how every living thing has a purpose.
How We Can Help the Bees
Amy shared some action steps that we can all take to make a difference for bees:
- Using no pesticides
- Leaving the leaves and dandelions
- Planting native plants
- Buying local honey
- Leaving out a water dish for bees
She asked the kids a question: how much honey do you think a honey bee makes in its lifetime?
The kids had answers ranging from half a cup, to one jar, to even more. Surprisingly, the answer was only 1/8th of a teaspoon.
A Sign for Those Who Reflect
SubhanAllah, this experience made us reflect on what Allah tells us about bees in the Quran. There is even a whole Surah dedicated to them, Surah An-Nahl, The Bee.
Allah says:
"And your Lord inspired the bees: 'Make your homes in the mountains, the trees, and in what people construct. And feed from the flower of any fruit you please and follow the ways your Lord has made easy for you.' From their bellies comes forth liquid of varying colours, in which there is healing for people. Surely in this is a sign for those who reflect."
What a beautiful reminder that even the smallest creatures are signs of Allah's creation. A day learning about bees became a day of learning about science, responsibility, gratitude, and reflecting on the wonders Allah has placed around us.
by Khadija Malik
https://learninglanternacademy.blogspot.com
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