Fishing from the Bench Boat
Sitting astride the bench, their boat, kids lean from side to side to catch the fabric fish floating on the floor without falling into the water. It builds seated balance with the trunk leaning out and teamwork among the crew.
How to play
- The teacher scatters scarf fish on the floor around each bench and puts a basket at the front of the boat (2 min).
- We board by sitting astride, with plenty of space between sailors, and row with our arms to leave port (2 min).
- We fish: holding the bench with one hand, we stretch the other toward the floor to grab a fish without getting off the boat (3 min).
- We pass each fish hand to hand up to the basket at the front (2 min).
- A wave is coming: when the teacher calls "Wave!" we all grab the bench and stay very still; then we fish on the other side (3 min).
- We row back to port and count the fish in the basket (1 min).
Rules
- Your bottom never leaves the boat.
- One hand always holds the bench.
- Fish that are too far away stay for another boat.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, the fish are very close to the bench and an adult nudges them closer if needed.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, fish at a normal distance and passed hand to hand.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, fish farther away, caught with the hand the teacher names.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: fish from the wheelchair beside the boat while an adult nudges the fish within reach.
- Autism: a set spot at the front, next to the basket, as the captain who keeps the fish.
- More skilled kids: fish with the feet, holding the scarf between the soles.
Learning goals
- Keep seated balance while leaning the trunk.
- Stretch to reach objects on the floor.
- Work with the crew by passing the fish along.
Equipment for a class of 25
- banco sueco: 4
- pañuelos: 30
- cestos: 4
Teacher tip
No mats under the benches so they don't shift, and mats around them for 3-year-olds. The usual mistake is standing up to reach farther: "A fisher who stands up falls in the water."
PatioLab has "Fishing from the Bench Boat" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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