By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–There was quite the ‘buzz’ going on among Union City Elementary School second-graders recently.
Members of the Northwest Tennessee Beekeepers Association visited with students and displayed several vital factors of bees, pollination, and the general production of honey to curious students.
The lessons wrapped up a CKLA Listening and Learning Knowledge Domain for teachers and second-grade classes.
Students were earlier introduced to the characteristics and life cycles of insects. They learned how they are categorized as solitary or social and how insects are viewed as both helpful and harmful.
They also were taught the pollination process and about the production of cosmetics, candles, and even medicines through bee pollination.
The NWTN bee group used several displays to show the importance of bees to humans.
Students got an up-close look at the special protective clothing worn by those who harvest honey and also were offered a taste of raw honey – many for the first time. Additionally, photos and other examples of honey and bee-related products were shared by the group.
“Our students loved the visit from the beekeepers,” UCES 2nd grade teacher Angie Callins said. “They had tons of questions – before, during, and after.
“The examples they saw certainly made our classroom sessions come to life.”