Sticky fingers, bright markers and children’s laughter filled the second-grade classrooms as students worked diligently to create honey jar labels. 

     This semester, second graders built on their “plants and pollinators” unit through a new project, simulating their very own honey businesses.

     Associate Director of the Ross Roeder Institute Ilaria Belloni worked with the kids to conduct “market research” and a mini competitive analysis. Belloni taught them about economic concepts like bartering, scarcity of resources and international trade.

     After designing their own labels, the kids democratically voted on company names and on which label would represent each class.

     “If you asked the students, many would likely say that designing the lids and then getting to keep their own jar of honey was the best part,” Second Grade Teacher Michele Johnson said. “Their designs were so thoughtful and creative.”

     Many of the students seemed to enjoy the project.

     “I loved meeting a real beekeeper who works with children so that we can learn how important bees are,” second grader Eloise B-S. from Kimberly Granger’s class said.

     “My two favorite parts were drawing the logo and naming the bee company. My idea of calling the company ‘The Buzz House’ won from my class,” second grader William M. from Christine Oman’s class said.

     The classrooms buzzed with creativity as students picked soundtracks and color palettes for their businesses. Some classes put on puppet shows, while others created comic books. 

     “I enjoyed the puppet show we wrote, acted out, and presented to our parents during our project share. We taught them how important bees are to the world. We also taught them not to be afraid of bees. They are actually really helpful,” second grader Molly Kate G. from Oman’s class said.

     But besides providing a fun way to foster creativity and teach students economic concepts, the project also illustrated important real-world skills and values.

     At the end of the project, each family received a jar of locally-harvested honey from the Shorecrest campus hive, decorated with the student-designed class logo and a lid personally decorated by their child. 

Essential Questions:

1. How are plants, pollinators & people connected?
2. How do plants and pollinators help each other?
3. What is our responsibility in sustaining healthy hives and environmental systems?

(According to Second Grade Teacher Christine Oman)