Ecology Honeybee Crisis Cross Curricular Socratic Seminar Project Based Learning

Project-based learning is “a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging and complex question, problem, or challenge” from BIE . The Vanishing of the Bees project allows students to assume the role of various stakeholders in the bee industry and research ways to solve the problem. After reading an extensive article and viewing The Vanishing of the Bees documentary, students will join together in their groups to research solutions that will benefit their role. After presenting their solutions to the rest of the class, the entire class will interact using a Socratic seminar method. Ultimately, the class will come up with one or multiple solutions to the problem that can be agreed upon by most (if not all) the stakeholders. This project works best in a collaborative digital environment (Google Apps work best) but can be done on paper with the teacher doing some extra prep work to make copies for all students.

This listing includes a Google folder link with ALL files as Google Documents, a Google Slideshow, and 2 Google Forms. Included in folder is a file dedicated to helping you best utilize this project in your classroom.

Included in this post: Google instructions, Teacher Resources file, detailed lesson plan, informative article questions, collaborative documentary graphic organizer, Socratic seminar introduction presentation, Self and Group Evaluations (Form and Document), Socratic seminar/presentation and listening rubrics, article questions, informational student project handout, Project Log (Form and Document), Socratic Seminar agenda....see preview for information on all these files!

This project aligns with Common Core and NGSS standards.

UPDATE: April 2020

The "Vanishing of the Bees" documentary is available to stream on Amazon Video with a Prime Membership.

This is exclusively an online resource.

UPDATE: August 2017

There is a NEW document included: "Vanishing of the Bees Resources". The topic of neonics and their impact on the world's bee populations is an ongoing scientific endeavor and new data is emerging. I will update this document as the data is released and new articles are published. I will send an update notification to all buyers so you can continue to develop and evolve this project for your classrooms!

Customer Tips

How to get TPT credit to use on future purchases

Please go to your My Purchases page (you may need to login). Beside each purchase you'll see a Provide Feedback button. Simply click it and you will be taken to a page where you can give a quick rating and leave a short comment for the product. Each time you give feedback, TPT gives you feedback credits that you use to lower the cost of your future purchases. I value your feedback greatly as it helps me determine which products are most valuable for your classroom so I can create more for you. ☺

Be the first to know about my new discounts, freebies and product launches

Look for the green star next to my store logo and click it to become a follower. Voila! You will now receive email updates about this store. ☺