Sample lesson plans
MAKING A TOP BAR HIVE
At the end of the module the student will:
- Be able to construct a top bar hive from original materials
- Know that top bar hives can made of alternative materials that may be more easily or cheaply available locally
- Know how to install a top bar hive so it will be safe from pests especially ants
- Be able to choose a suitable place to install a top bar hive
- Know how to bait a top bar hive so it has the best chance of becoming colonised
Time allowed for section
Content of lesson |
Resources needed |
Notes |
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4 hours |
Making a top bar hive
This section of the lesson/module is about constructing a top bar hive from timber and also from alternative materials such as rafia palm or bamboo |
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1 hour |
How to set up and bait a beehive
How to install the hive, how to to prevent ant invasion and how to bait hive, how to attract bees/colonise hives |
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GETTING STARTED IN BEEKEEPING
At the end of the module the student will be able to:
Describe the advantages of keeping bees and something of the life of the bee.
Have seen the construction of a top bar hive and quote the correct size of a top bar
Have been shown low cost beekeeping equipment and know about suppliers.
Light a smoker and explain how to inspect a hive safely.
Be able to choose a suitable place to install, bait and protect a beehive so it has the best chance of becoming colonised
TIME |
LESSON IS ABOUT |
REMEMBER TO TAKE |
NOTES |
1 hour |
Advantages of keeping bees Discuss who can be involved and how honey can be sold. Life of the bee Discuss available forage sources |
Laminated pictures of bees and posters |
Available from Bees for Development resource box |
1 hour |
Show equipment and explain its use Light smoker and tell about smoker fuel Talk about safety |
Low cost equipment especially veil Show low cost smoker? Smoker fuel and matches
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Take veil Take smoker fuel and matches The students must be encouraged to light the smoker The students should discuss the difficulties with bees and how they are overcome |
1 hour |
Showing a top bar hive and discuss other hive options including fixed comb hives. Explain about the size of top bars and moveable combs Make a template with the group |
Copies of the hive plans - one for each student to keep Cardboard to make template so it can be left behind after the lesson (Knotted string can be used to measure the hive length and left with community) Bottle top for measuring top bars. Top bars (1 good; 1bad). Model hive |
Organisation ensures there are enough photocopies of the plans for trainers to take Organisation to keep 1 or 2 templates in stock Trainers to produce templates from cardboard or plastic to take to the lesson Trainers to make sure they have string measure |
1 hour |
Explain the work involved in honey and wax production. Discuss places to put hives, how to put them up, how to catch bees, |
Small piece of wax to show for bait. Honey to taste
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A SHORT REPORT of the date of the training day, the name of the group and the numbers of people attending. Make a note of what techniques worked and what could be improved for next time. Trainers collect training equipment and return after the lesson |
Also needed |
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Notebook, ruler (measuring tape),knife, pen or marker. |
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HARVESTING HONEY AND WAX
At the end of the module the student will:
- Be able to describe ripe honey and explain how to harvest good quality honey.
- Be able to show to extract honey from the comb.
- Have seen honey harvested from a full hive if possible.
- Be able to describe good honey storage.
- Be able to melt wax using the bag method.
- Be able to clean wax fully using the straining method
TIME |
LESSON IS ABOUT |
REMEMBER TO TAKE |
NOTES |
1 hour |
Harvesting honey Explaining about ripe honey Showing harvesting equipment and explaining its use
Reminding people about safety |
Training manual Harvesting equipment, Knife buckets etc,
Veil and bee suit Smoker fuel and matches |
The students should discuss the difficulties with harvesting and how they are overcome
Students should act out the whole procedure as a drama so the trainer can see if people have understood it |
1 hour |
Extracting honey from comb STORAGE OF HONEY Discussion of hygiene and hygiene breakdown points during harvesting |
Harvested combs (or check if the students have some) 2 buckets Cloth straining material (if there is danger of bees stinging do this in theory only or in a bee proof place.) |
You will need harvested combs to do this well Explain about RIPE HONEY againExplain how to keep the bees from getting into the honey during harvesting and extraction. Explain principles of good storage |
1 hour |
Harvesting wax using bag method |
Wax combs for extracting wax Small sack Wax mould -optional (plastic)
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You will also need a fire, an old pot, two sticks There are lots of methods - decide which you will do. Remember to keep white comb and dark comb separate for best results. |
1 hour |
Second wax cleaning |
Dirty wax Soap, plastic bowl for a mould Cloth straining material |
You will also need a fire, a small pot and a bigger pot for the water bath REMEMBER WAX BURNS EASILY |
1 hour |
Supervising the harvest of honey from one hive if possible - this should be done in the evening or when it is cool. |
A SHORT REPORT of the date of the training day, the name of the group and the numbers of people attending. Make a note of what techniques worked and what could be improved for next time. Trainers may need to collect training equipment and return after the lesson. Decide who will be responsible for providing what is needed. |