Heiligman, D. (2002). Honeybees. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society. ISBN: 0-7922-6678-1.
Genre: Non-fiction
Grade Level: 2-5
Summary: This illustrated book covers all of the duties and the importance of bees. It starts with the life cycle of the bees and covers their importance in the pollination process. What is unique about this book is that the frames of the pages contain pertinent information about bees. For example, on the pages about the importance of beeswax, pictures of what beeswax is used in are included. Bees are an important part of our world, and this book captures their importance.
Activity: While reading this book, have students complete a K-W-L chart. The K stands for know, and this section should be filled out before starting the book. Have students write in the K section all of the facts that they know about honey bees. These facts can include things such as: honey bees cross-pollinate flowers, honey bees are seen a lot in the spring and the summer, honey bees collect nectar. The W section stands for Want to know, and this section should be filled out before reading the book. Have students write in the W section all of the things they want to know about honey bees. These questions can include things such as: How long do honey bees live? Where do honey bees live? What do honey bees eat? The L section of the chart stands for learned, and this section should be filled out when the book is completed. Have students write in the L section all of the things that they learned about honeybees. Preferably the facts that they place in this section should answer the questions they placed in the W section. After completing the chart, have a class discussion about honeybees using the KWL chart as a guideline for discussion.
For Example:
Genre: Non-fiction
Grade Level: 2-5
Summary: This illustrated book covers all of the duties and the importance of bees. It starts with the life cycle of the bees and covers their importance in the pollination process. What is unique about this book is that the frames of the pages contain pertinent information about bees. For example, on the pages about the importance of beeswax, pictures of what beeswax is used in are included. Bees are an important part of our world, and this book captures their importance.
Activity: While reading this book, have students complete a K-W-L chart. The K stands for know, and this section should be filled out before starting the book. Have students write in the K section all of the facts that they know about honey bees. These facts can include things such as: honey bees cross-pollinate flowers, honey bees are seen a lot in the spring and the summer, honey bees collect nectar. The W section stands for Want to know, and this section should be filled out before reading the book. Have students write in the W section all of the things they want to know about honey bees. These questions can include things such as: How long do honey bees live? Where do honey bees live? What do honey bees eat? The L section of the chart stands for learned, and this section should be filled out when the book is completed. Have students write in the L section all of the things that they learned about honeybees. Preferably the facts that they place in this section should answer the questions they placed in the W section. After completing the chart, have a class discussion about honeybees using the KWL chart as a guideline for discussion.
For Example:
K- KNOW
-Bees can sting.
-They make honey.
-They come out in the spring.
-They pollinate flowers.
-Bees are black and yellow.
-Bees can sting.
-They make honey.
-They come out in the spring.
-They pollinate flowers.
-Bees are black and yellow.
W-WANT TO KNOW
-Why do bees sting?
-Do bees eat honey?
-Are there different types of bees?
-Do all bees live in beehives?
-Why do bees sting?
-Do bees eat honey?
-Are there different types of bees?
-Do all bees live in beehives?
L-LEARNED
-Bees sting to protect themselves.
-Bees don't eat honey, but rather eat the nectar and honey from flowers. Larvae eat the honey.
-There are a number of types of bees including bumble bees, honey bees, and ground bees.
-Not all bees live in beehives. Some live in the ground.
-Bees sting to protect themselves.
-Bees don't eat honey, but rather eat the nectar and honey from flowers. Larvae eat the honey.
-There are a number of types of bees including bumble bees, honey bees, and ground bees.
-Not all bees live in beehives. Some live in the ground.
Activity Adapted from: Anticipation Guide Adapted from: Yopp, H.K., & Yopp, R.H. (2014). Literature-Based reading activities (6th ed., pp. 41-43). New York, NY: Pearson.