Implementation of ‘Bees teach us’ (SoI-GR-565)
Author: Christina Fotiou
Abstract/Introduction
The main idea of implementing this scenario is the experiential teaching of inclusion in a classroom of junior high school students (22 students), aged 13-14 years, where students with special learning needs, behavioral problems and integration difficulties are included in the whole classroom. The teaching procedure is based on the scenario “Bees teach us (LS-RO-88)”, which describes the role of bees in the ecosystem and the importance of hexagon structure in nature, using Europeana. This scenario in its implementation is modified and focuses on learning from the world of bees, so that students can perceive and experience the importance of cooperation, reciprocity, trust, communication and acceptance of diversity, as prerequisites for the harmonious functioning of a group.
The narrative (Learning process/Stages of implementation)
INSPIRATION
During the first lesson, students are introduced to the subject of the course and they are inspired by images and photographs of art from Europeana, which have been incorporated into a padlet, made by the teacher. Students observe the diversity of landscapes and vegetation/plants and discuss the role of bees and other pollinators in the preservation of this diversity, which beyond the aesthetic piece is necessary for the nutritional support of all organisms, as well as humans. Students are taught by the organized cooperative society of bees by watching related videos (How bees teach us about teamwork, Life lessons from bees, Life lessons preparing to receive). They learn that bees build the hive with the most widespread shape in nature, the hexagons. They watch related videos (Nature hexagons, bees hive) and are asked : HAVE YOU BUILT YOUR OWN COMB?
TEAMWORK – Europeana Hexagon Digital Collage
In the second lesson, students are invited to learn from the world of Bees and Geometry, the need for an organized structure and adaptability in any group of people. Digital material from Europeana is used, and students create digital collages and acquire media literacy.
Students are divided into groups. Each team creates its own digital collage comb, with photos of hexagons from Europeana, using keywords such as giraffe, snowflake, pagoda, pineapple, snake skin, insect eyes, turtle, pomegranate, narcissus flower, Gaudi pavement, honeycomb, papaver, sponge, fire bubbles, giants causeway, learning the value of a stable structure. Digital combs are uploaded in a shared padlet, students observe and discover the variety of hexagons found in nature and interact, sharing and admiring their creative works.
CREATIVE LAST LESSON – Becoming Playful and Creative
Bubble hexagons
Playing with soap and water, they blow using a straw, small bubbles side by side watching them group up in hexagons.
POSITIVE FEELINGS
Students will build their own large honeycomb of positive emotions.
Creative carton honeycomb
Each student using markers, colored cardboard, geometric instruments/blade will make his /her own hexagon, writing or painting what makes them happy or things for which they are grateful for or how they imagine a good future. The class will make its own large honeycomb, joining all the hexagons together, thus learning inclusion, by means of personal experiences!
Outcomes
The main learning outcome from the implementation of the above scenario is the joy and enthusiasm of the children in the construction of their own comb. Students interact, share and unite their positive emotions in a comb, creating the classroom’s comb. The world of bees and geometry manages to unite students and teach them the importance of teamwork, mutual respect and inclusion. At the same time, students are taught the importance of protecting nature and pollinators as a prerequisite for preserving the environment and also the human race. Europeana resources provide a wide variety of easy-to-use educational materials for students, from a variety of digital authoritative sources, enriching and supporting teaching creatively. Students are actively involved in the learning process by being part of a European Educational Community using Europeana resources.
Link to the learning scenario implemented: https://teachwitheuropeana.eun.org/learning-scenarios/bees-teach-us-ls-ro-88/
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CC BY 4.0: the featured image used to illustrate this article has been found on Europeana and has been provided by the Wellcome Collection.