Sofia and the Beeline Map

Ages 6–8

When Sofia's science class needs to find a wild bee colony, she teams up with a kindly beekeeper to watch, time, and map the bees' flight lines, turning three straight beelines into one exciting triangle that points the way home.

Careful observation and simple geometry can solve real mysteries in nature, without ever needing to catch or harm a creature.

"Bees need a wild home, and my science class needs to find it," said Sofia. Beekeeper Mo set down a little wooden dish of sugar-water. "Watch close," Mo said. "No catching, no touching. Just watching. The bees will show us the way."

Buzz. A fat striped bee landed on the dish and drank. "That's one!" whispered Sofia, brass compass swinging as she leaned in. Zigzag scuttled up a daisy stem. "Ooh, a bee! Is it my friend?" "Shh," said Sofia. "Watching, not talking."

The bee lifted off and zipped arrow-straight over the fence toward the oaks. Sofia spun, eyes wide. "It flew that way!" she said, pointing. Mo nodded. "That's a beeline. Mark it." Sofia drew one careful line across the paper.

Make it with your child's name and photo · Browse the Story Library