The Gatekeeper Bee Opens the Hive
The bees buzz around the room, and to get back into the hive they wait for the gatekeeper bee to tap their shoulder, then go through the hoop one at a time. Children practice waiting without pushing while warming up with gentle movement.
How to play
- The teacher holds a hoop upright: it's the hive door. Everyone buzzes around flapping their arms like wings (1 min).
- On the drum, the bees fly home: they line up near the door and flap their wings slowly while they wait (1 min).
- The teacher is the gatekeeper bee: she taps one shoulder and that bee ducks through the hoop; the others keep buzzing softly (1 min).
- A child becomes the gatekeeper and holds the hoop with the teacher beside them; repeat flying out and coming home (2 min).
- Open a second door with another gatekeeper so the wait is shorter, and finish with all the bees resting on the floor inside the hive (1 min).
Rules
- I go through the door when the gatekeeper taps my shoulder.
- While I wait, I flap my wings and don't push the bee in front.
- The gatekeeper taps one shoulder at a time, gently.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, the teacher is always the gatekeeper and says each bee's name with the tap.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, three or four children take turns as gatekeeper and the rest wait with a soft buzz.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, use two doors at once and the gatekeeper chooses with a look before tapping.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: hold the hoop higher or lay it flat so a wheelchair can roll past the door.
- Autism: the bee waits on a floor spot and counts with the teacher how many bees are ahead.
- Hearing impairment: besides the drum, the signal to fly home is lifting the hoop high.
Learning goals
- Wait for one's turn without pushing.
- Follow a signal given by a classmate acting as gatekeeper.
- Warm up with gentle moving and ducking.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Hoops: 2
- Hand drum: 1
Teacher tip
Mark a short path to the door with tape so the waiting line has a shape. The usual problem is everyone rushing the hoop at once, so model the still, buzzing wait first and make it big.
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