Frog in a pond game
Name Class
Teacher Preparation
Overarching learning goal: Students understand that marine animals interact
with other animals and with the reef, and recognise that marine creatures play an
important role in keeping our oceans healthy.
In this activity you will encourage your students to move around a
lot, so be sure to have some open space for them to move in.
Student and classroom organisation:
Step 1.
Begin by asking your students to think about what animals they might find in the
ocean.
Also ask them what these animals might eat and where in the ocean they might
live.
Record the responses on the board or somewhere where all students can see
them. For example:
ANIMAL EATS LIVES
Sharks Fish, Dolphins Everywhere underwater!
Whales Krill Everywhere underwater!
Dolphins Fish Likes calm, sheltered
beaches
Sting-rays Shellfish On the sea floor and in the
water everywhere
Fish Smaller fish, jellyfish Hides in rocks and coral
and algae (seaweed) where sharks can't find them
Starfish Algae and coral Sand,coral and rocks
Jellyfish Algae Everywhere underwater!
Crabs Smaller crabs and sea In seashells, and on rocks
insects and coral
Turtles Seaweed Coral reef and everywhere in
the ocean
Octopus Fish and shellfish Under rocks and on the sea
floor
Sea-birds Fish and starfish In the air!
Fisherman Fish, sharks, crabs On the land and in boats
Step 2.
In an open space set up several chairs, and assign one chair as being a coral
reef, another as rocks, and another as sand.
Next ask some or all of your students to take on the roles of animals of the sea
that they have thought of. Ask your students to imagine that they are that animal
and ask them to swim around their ocean like they imagine their animal would.
Ask they swim, ask them to respond to the following questions:
• How does your animal sleep? Does it keep swimming or does it lie on the
floor? (In this instance, inform your students that if sharks stop moving they
would sink so they have to keep swimming. Fish can stop swimming though.)
• What does your animal like to do for fun?
• What does your animal do when it is frightened? Does it hide or swim fast?
• What does your animal eat? Who will get eaten in your ocean? Who will be
left?
• What happens to the animals that are left? What will they eat? Is there
anything left to eat?
• Why is it important to look after the oceans? What can we do? Suggestions
include: Don't pollute our oceans, be careful about the fish you buy, don't
damage the reef.
Reflection
Upon completion of the activity, ask your students to draw what they think a
healthy ocean would look like.
• Who lives there?
• Are there lots of animals or not many?
• Which one is their favourite?
• What are all the animals in the picture doing?
Have a look at our picture for some inspiration!
