How Do Bees Make Honey?

This is the best video I have found that explains how bees make honey.
It's an advanced video for Kindergarten, but very thorough and filled with
interesting facts.  Check it out and tell me you didn't learn something new!

How It's Made Honey

So this video briefly talks about how the bees make honey, but it primarily focuses on how humans take and manufacture the honey for distribution.  We won't spend a lot of time on this in class, but it is still a cool video clip for those interested in knowing how honey gets from the beehive to our kitchens.

Why (and How) Do Bees Make Honey?

So next week we will be learning about How Bees Make Honey.
Today one of the kids told me that their dad said the "Boy" bees are the worker bees.
We have already learned this to be untrue, but if you do not believe me, please watch
these videos that explain about the various jobs of the "boy" and "girl" bees, as well as
how these fascinating creatures make this delicious substance.

This week's At-Home Project: Insect Life Cycle Displays!

A creative Life Cycle of the Ant.

Using dry pasta shells to model the Life Cycle of the Butterfly.

A colorful Butterfly Life Cycle where the wings show the 4 stages.

Here are just a few examples of creative displays that I found online to help with this OPTIONAL project.
Students can choose their favorite insect (or just one they are interested in learning about) and research it's life cycle.  A simple Google or YouTube search should help you find what you need.  Most insects go through 4 stages: egg, larva (or nymph), pupa, and adult.  Some insects have different, or multiple stages, but you can choose how simple/complex you want yours to be.  Give your children some crafts and let them get creative in making a poster or diagram that they would like to bring in and share with the class.

If you want to stray away from bees and butterflies, might I suggest the mosquito or dragonfly.  They actually spend part of their life cycle under water.  Your children might be very surprised to learn this!!  Have fun and I can't wait to see what amazing works your little scientists bring in!!

Kids Learn Why Bees Are Awesome

Watch the video, then talk with your parents about what you learned.

Would you like to put on a bee suit and learn more about bees firsthand?
Where could we go to see bees at work?

If your family is up for it, go on a family trip to a local bee/honey farm to ask questions and learn more about these amazing insects!

Some local venues to check out include:
https://www.marshallshoney.com/ (American Canyon)
https://www.lockewoodacres.com/ (Vacaville)
http://www.bayareabeecompany.com/ (Vallejo)

You might also be able to check out some of the local ranches here in the Cordelia/Green Valley area to learn about where they get their bees, and how the bees help their businesses!!

Write in the comments about your experience and what you learned about these fascinating insects!!