Exploring the Arctic Game
Learning Objectives/Lesson GoalsTo develop students’ imaginations, creative thinking, and listening to directions. Students will also become more familiar with vocabulary related to the polar seas.
WHEREOutside
WHOClassroom Volunteers
MATERIALS
ACTIVITIESBefore the Game:

  • Have students stand on their home bases and practice the following skills: Jogging, jumping, running, ducking, and following instructions

How to Play
  • Tell all of the students to imagine that they are not on the yard, but that they are in the Arctic.

  • Explain that the class is going to be explorers going on an Arctic adventure using their imaginations.

  • Have all the students walk in place while you describe the trip the class is taking through the Arctic. Occasionally have the students duck from flying Gyrfalcons, flying Glaucous gulls, snowy owls, and jump over penguin guano (poop).

  • Slowly begin to speed up the pace the children are walking.
    Maybe you hear something coming and you speed up so it doesn’t catch the class. Soon the class is jogging instead of walking.

  • Suddenly yell that there is a polar bear or some kind of Arctic predator chasing them and speed the jog to a run. A seal? An arctic fox? A walrus?

  • Add in the “Arctic Hare” and the “snow/ice covered rocks” so that the students are warming up their other muscles as well by jumping and ducking.

  • After the students are winded, slow them down again. Wave to a friendly group of tourists.

  • Next you can pretend to “swim” in the icy water or “climb” onto the ice/snow.

  • Anything other variation that requires movement at different speeds and loosens the body is great.

  • The activity can carry on for however long and however silly as necessary.