Anita and the Honeybees – Complete Guide For Class 4 EVS Chapter 5

Welcome to iPrep, your Learning Super App. Our learning resources for Chapter 5, “Anita and the Honeybees,” in Class 4 EVS are meticulously designed to ensure students gain a comprehensive understanding of this essential topic. These resources include detailed notes, interactive exercises, and practical examples that cover the entire spectrum of key concepts. From fundamental principles of beekeeping and the importance of honeybees in pollination to real-life applications in agriculture and biodiversity, students engage with rich content. Interactive activities, like role-play and project-based learning, further enhance their grasp of the material. The resources also foster curiosity about nature conservation and sustainable practices.

The concept of “Anita and the Honeybees” in Class 4 EVS delves into the foundational principles of life by exploring the essential characteristics that define the roles of honeybees in nature. Through Anita’s journey, students learn about the life cycle of bees, their social structure within the hive, and their crucial role in pollination. The chapter highlights how honeybees contribute to biodiversity and food production, emphasizing their interdependence with plants and humans. By connecting these biological concepts to real-world scenarios, students are encouraged to appreciate the delicate balance of ecosystems and the importance of conserving bee populations for environmental sustainability.

Objectives of Learning “Anita and the Honeybees” in Class 4 EVS

There are various objectives of learning the chapter “Anita and the Honeybees” in Class 4 EVS. These include-

• Understand the Role of Honeybees: Learn about the life cycle, social structure, and essential role of honeybees in pollination and biodiversity.
• Explore Real-Life Applications: Recognize how beekeeping supports agriculture and contributes to sustainable food production.
• Appreciate Environmental Stewardship: Develop awareness of the importance of bees in ecosystems and the need to protect their populations for environmental balance.
• Learn from Anita’s Journey: Discover the values of determination, self-reliance, and the pursuit of education, especially in challenging situations.
• Encourage Cultural and Environmental Awareness: Gain insight into traditional practices like beekeeping and their connection to both cultural heritage and nature conservation.

A Dream of School

Anita Khushwaha, a girl from Bochaha village in Muzaffarpur district, Bihar, always dreamed of going to school. Living with her parents and two younger brothers, Anita spent her early days grazing goats. Her parents, however, did not believe in sending girls to school, which made her dream difficult to achieve.

One day, Anita sneaked into the village school and sat among the children. She was overwhelmed with happiness and decided to ask her parents if she could attend school. At first, they refused, but with the help of a village teacher who explained the importance of education and free schooling up to Class VIII, Anita’s parents eventually agreed. From then on, Anita became a regular student, always curious and full of questions, even if she didn’t score high marks.

Find Out!

How much money do you spend in one year for various school-related things? Fill in the table below.

Staying in School

As Anita progressed through her studies, she completed Class V. Her parents, however, felt it was time for her to stop studying because the costs for Class VI would increase. Determined to continue her education, Anita began teaching younger children and used the money she earned to fund her studies.

Anita faced challenges along the way. Some older boys who also taught children tried to scare her students away, but Anita’s kind and loving teaching style won them back.

A Secret

Anita’s determination didn’t stop at education. She secretly learned how to ride a motorcycle, falling and getting hurt many times, but she never gave up. She found happiness in her achievements, no matter the difficulties. 

From School to Bee-Keeping

Living in an area filled with litchi trees, Anita noticed the abundance of honeybees attracted to the flowers. Inspired by others in her village who kept bees, she decided to take a government-run course on beekeeping. Anita was the only girl in the class, but she didn’t let that discourage her. 

Fun Activity

• Observation: Have you seen insects near flowers? Find out their names and draw pictures of them in your notebook. 

Becoming a Bee-Keeper

After completing the beekeeping course, Anita saved money by continuing her teaching work. With Rs. 5000, she bought two boxes for the bees and some sugar to prepare syrup for them. Despite the painful bee stings, Anita persisted in her work and soon had so many bees that she had to buy more boxes. By placing the boxes near the flowering litchi orchards, she harvested 12 kilograms of honey from each box in her first year. 

Anita’s Routine

Anita now owns 20 boxes and cycles to her college, which is five kilometers away. Her mother helps prepare syrup for the bees, while her father assists with beekeeping tasks, ensuring the bees are well cared for. 

The Importance of Education

Anita became well-known in her village and neighboring areas. She started attending village meetings to speak about the importance of education, especially for girls. Even when people mocked her, Anita remained confident and continued to work towards her goals.

Her dream is to become a honey wholesaler to help villagers get fair prices for their honey. 

Find Out More!

• Anita and others in her village sell honey for Rs. 35 per kilogram. How much does one kilogram of honey cost in your town?
• Have you seen different colors of honey? List them below.
• Is honey used in your house? What do you use it for? 

The Life of Honeybees

Every beehive has one Queen Bee, responsible for laying eggs, while most of the bees in the hive are worker bees. These hardworking bees gather nectar from flowers to make honey. When one bee finds a flower with nectar, it performs a special dance to show the others where the nectar is.

Without the worker bees, the hive would not function, and there would be no nectar collection. Male bees have no significant role as workers. 

Insects that Live in Groups

Other insects, like ants, also live and work together in groups. The Queen Ant lays eggs, while Soldier Ants guard the nest. Worker Ants are constantly busy gathering food. 

Fun Activity

Observe ants and note:

• Where do ants live?
• What kind of food attracts ants?
• How many legs does an ant have?

Draw a big and small ant in your notebook and color them.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this chapter on “Anita and the Honeybees” in Class 4 EVS has provided a meaningful journey through the life and experiences of Anita, a young girl who overcomes obstacles to pursue education and beekeeping. Chapter 5, “Anita and the Honeybees,” in Class 4 EVS not only introduces students to the biology and social behavior of honeybees but also emphasizes the significance of determination, education, and self-reliance. Through interactive learning, students develop a clear understanding of how bees contribute to ecosystems and agriculture, learning valuable lessons about environmental conservation.

By engaging with “Anita and the Honeybees” in Class 4 EVS, students are encouraged to explore their own curiosity about nature, sustainability, and cultural practices that involve beekeeping. This chapter inspires young minds to value biodiversity, recognize the impact of human actions on nature, and appreciate the role of bees in maintaining ecological balance. The lessons from “Anita and the Honeybees” prepare students to be more aware, empathetic, and responsible towards both their environment and their communities.