The Flight of the Bumble Bee

Lesson Sequence

1. Anticipatory Set: What are some insects, bugs, and animals that can fly? Yes, birds, bees, flies, butterflies, etc. There are lots of animals, insects, and bugs that can fly. Today we are going to talk about bees. What do bees look like? What do bees do?

Other Resources:
You can find more information about bees at: Africanized Honey Bees on the Move Lesson Plans.

2. Craft Project - We are now going to color a bumble bee / make a bumble bee finger puppet.

-Make a bumble bee finger puppet found at Cleaver Creations Bee Pattern.

Note: This might be expensive. It is ideal for homeschoolers or classrooms with only a few students in them.

or

-Color the bee at Bumblebee Coloring Sheet or abcteach Bee Pattern.  Place them on craft sticks if you would like a bee puppet.

Go to: Bee Theme for more ideas.

3. Now we are going to listen to The Flight of the Bumble Bee composed by Rimskij-Korsakov.  Choose according to the age of the child/ren.  Choose the piano for younger children since they are familiar with it.

Listen to various instruments midi's located at: The Flight of the Bumble Bee.
Ask the children which instrument was playing the song.

Karadar.com: Classical Music: Rimsky-Korsakov - Bumblebee Flight
What instrument is playing this song? (piano)

4. Have the children walk around or sit in their chairs and pretend they are flying like bumble bees. You can have then hold a picture of a bumble bee they have colored, use a bee finger puppet or they can put their arms out as if they were wings.

5. Conclusion: What have we learned today? (Let the children respond.) Should we bother bees? (No.) Why not? (Because they can sting us and some people may be allergic to bees.)