May is a wonderful time to bring nature into the classroom and help young learners discover the beauty and importance of animals and ecosystems. With meaningful observances like World Bee Day on May 20, International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22, and World Turtle Day on May 23, students have the perfect opportunity to explore how living things are connected. Even World Migratory Bird Day (celebrated in May) encourages children to think about how animals move, survive, and depend on their environments. These special days naturally invite curiosity while building a foundation for understanding conservation and care for our planet.
The following resources align so beautifully with this theme.
The Bee Fact Booklet introduces students to pollinators and their essential role in helping plants grow.
The Sea Turtle Fact Booklet connects perfectly with conversations about ocean life and protecting endangered species.
The Birds Fact Booklet supports learning about migration, habitats, and seasonal changes, while...
the Kangaroo Fact Booklet offers a glimpse into unique animals and ecosystems in Australia. Together, these resources help students see that animals, no matter where they live, are part of a larger, connected world.
To enrich this learning, pairing your materials with engaging read-alouds can make the experience even more meaningful. Here are five wonderful book options:
The Honeybee by Kirsten Hall
One Tiny Turtle by Nicola Davies
Birds by Kevin Henkes
Over in Australia: Amazing Animals Down Under by Marianne Berkes
Thank You, Earth by April Pulley Sayre
These books gently introduce scientific concepts while inspiring appreciation for the natural world.
Hands-on activities can bring these ideas to life in simple and engaging ways:
Pollination Demonstration – Use a cotton ball and flower cutouts to show how bees transfer pollen from one flower to another.
Animal Habitat Sort – Students sort animals (bee, turtle, bird, kangaroo) into their correct habitats (garden, ocean, sky/trees, grasslands).
Migration Map Activity – Create a simple map showing how birds travel during migration seasons.
“Protect Our Planet” Poster – Students draw ways they can help animals (plant flowers, reduce trash, protect oceans).
Life Cycle Sequencing – Use one of your animal topics (like turtles or birds) to create a simple life cycle activity.
As you move through May, these nature-based connections help students build both knowledge and empathy. By exploring animals, habitats, and ecosystems through meaningful special days, you’re helping children understand that even small actions such as caring for a garden or protecting wildlife, can make a big difference! All resources may be found in my store:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/thebeezyteacher
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