✉️ To Parents
Today’s nonfiction story is based on real student-led environmental action. A class of fifth graders built bee hotels to support wild pollinators in their community. The article uses present perfect and present simple tenses, environmental vocabulary, and includes real-world context to encourage social awareness and scientific thinking.
📖 Today's Reading
In a small town in Oregon, a group of fifth graders has built something unexpected: hotels—for bees!
The idea began when their science teacher asked, “What small action can make a big difference in nature?”The students researched and learned that wild bees are losing their homes. Unlike honeybees, many wild bees don’t live in hives. They build nests in holes in trees or underground—but those spaces are disappearing.
So, the class designed “bee hotels”—small wooden boxes filled with bamboo sticks and paper tubes. The students built them with help from local carpenters and placed them in parks, school gardens, and even balconies.
“We’re not just building boxes,” said one student. “We’re helping the planet.”
Scientists say pollinators like bees are important for flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Without them, many plants can’t grow.
Now, more schools are doing the same. One student added, “I’ve learned that even kids can be part of something bigger.”
🧠 New Vocabularies
- pollinator /ˈpɑ.ləˌneɪ.tɚ/ – Bees are pollinators that help plants grow.
- habitat /ˈhæ.bɪˌtæt/ – A habitat is where animals live.
- carpenter /ˈkɑr.pən.tɚ/ – A carpenter builds things with wood.
- disappear /ˌdɪ.səˈpɪr/ – Some natural spaces are disappearing.
- bamboo /bæmˈbu/ – Bee hotels use bamboo for nesting tubes.
- environment /ɪnˈvaɪ.rən.mənt/ – We can all help the environment.
✍️ Hi, Kids!
If your school could start a nature project like this, what would you do? Would you help bees, plant trees, or clean up rivers?
Try starting like this: "If I could help nature with my class, I would..."
Describe your idea and why it matters to you and your community.
