elementary school teacher looking for help

[kinderbee]

Hi,
I'm an elementary school teacher in the mountains of Colorado.  I'm just beginning to teach a honeybee and beekeeping class to students grades K-5.
I'd love to hear ideas from anyone with experience teaching 5-10 year olds.

Question--  I understand that emerging adults are not able to sting for awhile after emerging.   After emerging, how long before an adult can sting?  I'd like the children to study the life cycle by exploring brood frames in the classroom-- safely.

Thanks for the help.

Sue

[Mici]

HA! timing couldn0t be more appropriate!
http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php?topic=9237.0
it's about kindergarten but still...relatively close

young bees can't sting? maybe, but i guess just for a while.don't know how many days, i think it's more the "less-likely" thing or "less-poisenous"
inspecting a brood frame inside a classroom safely?close to impossible without damaging the brood!
the best way would be by pictures.

[Kathyp]

or maybe an observation hive?

[jimmyo]

I think photos would be best.  Maybe a visit from a local beekeeper with and obsevation hive would be safe. The end result should be a positive experience.
Jim 

[Brian D. Bray]

Contact your local extension agent.  They should be able to give you the names etc, of local beekeepers and the beekeepers club.  From that resource you should be able to get someone to come into the classroom to do a demo and give out goodies like honey sticks etc.

[Michael Bush]

An observation hive is an awesome way to learn about bees.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesobservationhives.htm

[kinderbee]

Thanks all--I should give some more information.

While still a beginner, I've kept a few hives for a few years now.  Hence my interest in sharing this fascinating creature and this hobby with my students.
With the help of a grant I've got two hives up and running for my students.  Two weeks ago, with a donation from an enthusiastic family, I installed one of Draper's "ultimate observation hives" in my classroom.  It's beautiful! The bees are busily drawing out comb as we speak.  It is a magnet for the kids.
 
I've got a fairly nice curriculum outlined for myself, but would welcome ideas that really bring the concepts of a bee's life cycle, communication, impact as pollinators, etc,to life for the children--excellent activities you've done, great websites, children's books, and the like.
I'm happy to share what I've got going so far with others teaching this age group.

Thanks,
Sue

[buzzbee]

You should forward a pic of your hive to the mods and we would be glad to post it!

[livetrappingbymatt]

if you want to get more response from kids give them a taste of honey.
interactive tools ie hand crank extractor works for me.
pick a local fruit ( one the kids like ) explain crop pollenation,1 bluebarry w/out pollenation 7 w/ pollenation ect.
25% larger strawbarrys w/pollenation
no cukes no squash no pumpkins without pollenation.
i do a mini demo on extracting for kids at a local kids museum,let them turn the handle and get some honey too taste.
have fun.
bob

[MarkR]

With my class, if you mention a lot of the gross stuff, they are yours for an hour.  Bee vomit, and what happens to the bees after they sting you are big favorites!

Mark