FORAGING FLIGHT

On their foraging flights, worker honeybees collect pollen, nectar, or water. These are brought to the hive to ensure the survival of the colony. In this game, children will be asked to represent these three bee commodities by means of actions. Pollen is expressed by placing both hands over the mouth, while nectar is represented by rubbing the tummy with both hands. The action for water is the placing of both hands in the air. These actions should be practised before beginning the game.

Two groups of equal number stand in straight lines facing each other. The groups are at least 15 meters apart. One group, the foraging bees, turns around so as not to see the other group. The members of this group are asked to represent either pollen, nectar, or water using the appropriate action. They must hold the pose. Tell the foraging bees that they are to look for nectar on their foraging flight. Give them the signal to begin their flight. The foraging bees race towards the members of the other group that have struck the "nectar" pose. The successful bees, those first able to tag a player representing nectar, become members of this group and are no longer bees. The unsuccessful bees must return to the hive and prepare for another flight. The bees are once again asked to turn around while the other group members strike poses. The foraging bees are told what to look for during this flight and are given the signal to leave the hive again. The game is over when there are no bees left.