The physical education curriculum refers to some games for aquatics. These games are described below.
Crows and cranes
The children form two lines facing each other about three metres apart. One group are the crows, the other are the cranes. Teacher calls out either ‘Crows’ or ‘Cranes’, who become the taggers and try to capture the other team before they reach their home side. Children who are tagged join the other side.
This game can be adapted to suit levels of ability: for example, some groups may be required to swim during the game, others could run.
What time is it, Mr Shark?
Children (fish) spread out in water and try to avoid being caught by the Shark. Safe areas may include a side of the pool or a buoyed line. In unison, the fish call out ‘What time is it, Mr Shark?’ Shark calls out random times (e.g. 5 o’clock) and the fish swim that number of strokes towards the shark. They then head for a safe area. When the shark calls out ‘Dinner time’, he/she tries to catch the fish before they reach safety. Tagged fish can become sharks or simply return to the game.