George Novak

Below are some talking points and activities to pass the time, all relating to today’s story.

Talking points

Discuss the ideas presented in the bumblebee story with your family—at home or over video conferencing. Find ways to involve as many people as possible, especially those who you know are isolated by the lock-down.

• Did you know that bumblebees don’t make honey?  They do work very hard though—why are they so valuable to orchardists and growers?
• Do you find bumblebees less scary than other bees? Why or why not?
• What do queen bumblebees need to make a nest?
• Bumblebees are almost constantly in need of food because their bodies are so heavy, and they use up lots of energy buzzing to extract pollen. Is your street a good source of flowers, which provide food for bumblebees? Have a look around on your daily walk.>
• Is there anything more you could do to make your street a haven for bumblebees?
• Have you ever wondered which flowers the bumblebee likes most? Can you find out by watching the flowers in your garden carefully?

Task for the day

Make a watering station for bumblebees. Bumblebees all over New Zealand will be noticing the lack of water from our very dry summer. Make a safe place for them by placing some marbles or pebbles in a shallow dish, such as a saucer. Pour some water into the saucer, but don’t submerge the pebbles. Bumblebees land on the pebbles and drink. Have some fun making it look more interesting or beautiful by adding some flowers, lichen, leaves or pottery animals, if you want to. You can also use seashells as a good watering station.

Place the watering station in a shaded or semi-shaded part of the garden and try to put it up off the ground (on a tree stump or wall or similar structure.) Make sure you change the water regularly so that it stays fresh.

Poetry challenge

Famous American children’s poet Aileen Fisher wrote this lovely poem. Can you learn it off by heart? Send your teacher or your grandparents a video of yourself saying it without any notes—they’ll love it!

Grasses
by Aileen Fisher

Do you ever wonder
if horses and such
like all grasses
equally much?

Or are some grasses
like spinach and prunes
and others like
coconut macaroons?