Introduction | Task | Process| Resources |Evaluation | Conclusion|Teacher's Page






Save the
Honey Bees!

A Webquest for 3rd through 5th Grade

Designed by

Amy Gantzert
gantzert4@fyidwight.net





INTRODUCTION

Have you ever wondered how honey bees make honey? Did you know honey bees are a very important part of the pollination process? A Honey bee is no ordinary insect, but rather an extraordinary insect! Honey bees are amazing creatures! Unfortunately, that's not how the executives at Ridit Pest Control see them. Like many people, the executives at Ridit think honey bees are just pesky insects! They are currently working on the development of a special pesticide that will "wipe out" all honey bees around the world and make them extinct. We need your help in saving the honey bees!









TASK

You will visit several websites to learn about honeybees. After researching these fascinating insects, you will complete the following two assignments:

  • Draw and color a picture of a flower. Next, draw and color the same flower the way a honeybee would see it.
  • In groups of 3 or 4, write a letter to the executives at Ridit Pest Control persuading them to stop the creation of this pesticide to make honey bees extinct.




PROCESS

To complete this webquest, follow these steps:

  1. Individually, each student should view the website, B-Eye found in the RESOURCES section of this webquest. After clicking on this site, scroll down to the bottom of the page and you will see many pictures. Click on "View through a Bee's Eye" for each picture. By viewing these, you will have a very good idea of how a bee sees things.
  2. On an 8 1/2 x 14 piece of paper, draw and color a flower on the left side. Try to draw it as close to the real thing as possible. On the right side, draw and color that same flower the way you think a bee would see it. Use the knowledge you obtained at the website to assist you.
  3. Get into groups of 3 or 4.
  4. View the remaining websites in the RESOURCES section. Each student should take notes while viewing the websites. These notes will assist you in writing your persuasion letter.
  5. Once everyone in your group has viewed all the remaining websites, it's time for a "Brainstorming" Session! Your group will share with each other what you learned from these websites.
  6. Discuss why you think honey bees are needed. Ask yourselves questions such as:
    • What role do bees play in the pollination process?
    • What products do we get from a bee's hard-working efforts?
    • What are these products good for?
  7. Now you're ready to begin writing your letter. Remember, you want to persuade Ridit Pest Control that bees are important, and all of us need their existence. Be sure to include many reasons why we need bees! For more details on how this letter should be written, review the Rubric.




RESOURCES

You will use the following websites to gather the information needed to complete your tasks:

  • B-Eye -Honey bees do not see things the way humans do. This website will allow you to view several pictures the way a honey bee would see them!
  • Enter the Hive- This is cool animated site where you will learn about the hive, pollination, and the honey making process.
  • Honey.com- Enter this site to learn how honey bees work together to produce honey.
  • Insecta Inspecta World -Learn fascinating facts about the important roles honey bees play.
  • How do Bees make Honey Visit this site to learn how honey bees use nectar from flowers to make honey!



EVALUATION

You will receive three grades upon completion of this project worth a total of 80 points. Each of you will receive a grade on your flower drawing that is worth 30 points. The criteria to grade that will be based on a Rubric. You will also receive a group grade on your persuasion letter. The criteria for grading the letter will also be based on a Rubric, worth 40 points. You can also earn up to 10 points for your individual efforts within the group project, based on you participation. The grading scale is as follows:

Points
72-80 = A
64-71 = B
56-63 = C
48-55 = D
47 or Below = F

Drawing Rubric

Persuasion Letter Rubric




CONCLUSION

Congratulations! You've completed your Honey Bee adventure! By now, you should be very knowledgeable about bees and the very important roles they play. Take some time to think beyond the simple facts about bees. We can all learn some valuable lessons from these fascinating creatures: