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Honeybee Mini Study

Autumn· Backyard· Free Resources· Minibeasts· Nature Study· Spring· Summer

25 Jan
Honeybee

Bees are complex and fascinating creatures that are vital for our survival. They pollinate our vegetable plants, fruit trees and grains. Every year, Apiarists, bring their honeybees to pollinate our grains and fodder crops on the farm.  Beekeepers also know which plants and trees are flowering through the seasons and move their hives accordingly. Find out why bees are important.

Mini Bee Study

It is not necessary to read all the suggested material. Choose the source you have on hand, visit the library or use the internet links. How you use this information may depend on your learning philosophy and learning style. You can prepare for the nature walk in advance by gaining knowledge yourself and share it as you are asked or opportunities arise, or you can read the information together before starting out to observe bees. 

Indoor Prep Work

  • Read the Wonderland of Nature by Nuri Mass, pg 71-77.
  • Discuss bees and their important work by discussing the pictures in The Book of Bees by Piotr Socha.
  • Read Hummy and the Wax Castle by Elizabeth Ernst. This is a great ‘living book.’
  • Watch the busy bee at SciShow Kids.

Field Work

Explore outdoors for bees by locating flowering plants and trees. They should be busy buzzing, pollinating and collecting nectar. Observe them awhile. Can you see the honey baskets on their hind legs? Are they honeybees or native bees?

Field Journaling 

Sketch a bee in your nature journal and label its anatomy:

Head

  • Antennae
  • 2 Compound eyes
  • 3 Simple eyes or ocelli
  • Mouth

Thorax

  • Prothorax and first pair of legs.
  • Mesothorax: second pair of legs and first pair of wings.
  • Metathorax: third pair of legs and second pair of wings.
  • Wings
  • Leg: femur, tibia, tarsus and claws.

Abdomen

  • Spiracles
  • Ovipositor

Or simply draw the bee in its habitat.

Activities

  • Sketch and note observations using this Bee Notebook Page.
  • Create a bee bath by using a pot plant saucer and some pebbles. This is a quick and simple activity we enjoyed during our Honeybee Week.
  • Research which flowers you can plant in your garden to attract bees.
  • Research and report why bee numbers are declining and how can they be helped.
  • Start an Insect List
  • Eat honey on toast.
  • Find out why honey crystallizes in this experiment.
  • Sing along to the Busy Bee Song.

If you’d like to dig deeper into the study of bees and include poems, picture studies, hymns and more activities in your nature study, consider the Australian Nature Study Guide | Volume One | Summer/Autumn.

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About Marie

Homeschooling is a gentle amble for me since four of my five children have graduated. I share my joy with things beautiful, good and lovely with my grandchildren where I live contently with hubby in rural South Australia.

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We have outdoor expeditions to undertake and adventures to embark upon. We’ll explore the outdoors together, side by side, and uncover miraculous mysteries, and secrets. We’ll wander, and wonder in amazement as we become familiar with the Australian fauna and flora.

I desire to come alongside you in the muddle, making nature study the joy it’s meant to be.  Outdoor adventures will become a regular part of your life as you make connections to the natural world with a sense of awe.

Testimonials

Cheryl

We didn’t find out about the program until about half way through term, so we played catch up most of the time. I love how open ended the lessons are, but with enough structure to work well for those children needing such a program. We have been able to cover much of the required curriculum whilst enjoying the activities we love. Your program has been such a blessing to us, because we needed a change to our homeschooling lessons which would still cover curriculum, but would enable us to relax and enjoy “school” together. Thank you.
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:50:47+10:30
We didn’t find out about the program until about half way through term, so we played catch up most of the time. I love how open ended the lessons are, but with enough structure to work well for those children needing such a program. We have been able to cover much of the required curriculum whilst enjoying the activities we love. Your program has been such a blessing to us, because we needed a change to our homeschooling lessons which would still cover curriculum, but would enable us to relax and enjoy “school” together. Thank you.
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/cheryl/

Sally

We have really enjoyed the program this term. We have gotten outside more often and the children are definitely taking more notice of things when we are out. Having a place to share what we have done and seen has been an encouragement to keep it up. I sometimes felt like we could spend longer on some topics as they were so interesting but that is probably just my obsessive "we must cover everything now" problem. 
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:48:30+10:30
We have really enjoyed the program this term. We have gotten outside more often and the children are definitely taking more notice of things when we are out. Having a place to share what we have done and seen has been an encouragement to keep it up. I sometimes felt like we could spend longer on some topics as they were so interesting but that is probably just my obsessive "we must cover everything now" problem. 
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/sally/

Valerie

I totally enjoy using the Nature study guide. The children enjoy learning about the different animals and plants.
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:51:39+10:30
I totally enjoy using the Nature study guide. The children enjoy learning about the different animals and plants.
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/valerie/

Rachel

We began our homeschool journey this year keen to explore all that nature study entails. I had searched the web for weeks to research what we would use as our framework. I cannot describe the elation I felt when I came across an AUSTRALIAN nature study guide! Marie has done all the hard work and put together a wonderfully elaborate resource for all ages. You can dip your toe in or dive right into all the ideas and links. There’s so much here we could spend all week doing nature study, and often we do.
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:53:11+10:30
We began our homeschool journey this year keen to explore all that nature study entails. I had searched the web for weeks to research what we would use as our framework. I cannot describe the elation I felt when I came across an AUSTRALIAN nature study guide! Marie has done all the hard work and put together a wonderfully elaborate resource for all ages. You can dip your toe in or dive right into all the ideas and links. There’s so much here we could spend all week doing nature study, and often we do.
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/rachel/

Sarah

Absolutely love the activity books my whole family can learn together and it’s Australia based. Highly recommend
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:52:01+10:30
Absolutely love the activity books my whole family can learn together and it’s Australia based. Highly recommend
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/sarah/

Jessie

I looked high and low online for an Australian nature based curriculum and when I found Australian Nature study Guide on Instagram I was so excited to have finally found something that my family can relate to. My favourite thing about this guide is that Marie is so hands on and involved with her customers. I have never felt alone in the journey, she is there to guide and encourage us every step of the way in the Facebook group. Thanks Marie for welcoming us to your nature study family 🙂
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:52:36+10:30
I looked high and low online for an Australian nature based curriculum and when I found Australian Nature study Guide on Instagram I was so excited to have finally found something that my family can relate to. My favourite thing about this guide is that Marie is so hands on and involved with her customers. I have never felt alone in the journey, she is there to guide and encourage us every step of the way in the Facebook group. Thanks Marie for welcoming us to your nature study family 🙂
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/jessie/
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