In Frogs & Fish, students attempt to cross a dangerous river to collect flies on the riverbank. Can they make it back safely to their burrow without getting caught by a fish?
The teacher sets up a playing area with an end zone at each end. One end zone is the burrow and the other is the riverbank, with the area between them serving as the river. Poly spots are scattered across the river to act as lily pads, and beanbags, which are the flies, are placed on the riverbank.
Gather all of the flies from the riverbank and bring them back to the burrow.
Fish should use soft tags when tagging fleeing players (consider using foamies a.k.a. shortened pool noodles).
All players should keep their eyes up at all times.
Only one player may rest on a lily pad at a time.
Balances, exercises and stretches should all be vertical (i.e. no lying down on the floor) to avoid accidents.
Builds allow you to increase the game's complexity, one layer at a time.
Divide the class into two teams: the Toads and the Frogs. Students get into a scattered formation within the playing area.
On the teacher's signal, students move about the playing area using their respective skill, so Toads jump and Frogs hop.
After a few minutes, the teams switch roles and resume their movement.
Having every student play both roles is what makes the understanding target land. They cannot feel the difference between a hop and a jump if they only ever do one of them.
Divide the playing area into three sections: the burrow, the river, and the riverbank. Place a large number of beanbags on the riverbank.
Toads and Frogs start in the burrow and must move across the river, jumping or hopping depending on their role, to reach the riverbank. Once there, they collect one fly and bring it back to their burrow.
The game goes on until all of the flies are collected. Once that is done, return the flies to the riverbank and have the teams switch roles.
Place a variety of lily pads across the river. Toads and Frogs can take a break from jumping or hopping by resting on a lily pad.
Assign a task to each colour of lily pad. For example, orange lily pads require a balancing pose, blue lily pads require an exercise such as an air squat, and green lily pads require a stretch.
These colours and tasks can be introduced into the game one colour at a time.
The lily pads are a rest mechanic disguised as a challenge. Hopping is demanding, and this build gives students a way to pause without stepping out of the game.
Introduce the Fish into the game and play the full version of Frogs & Fish as detailed in the rules above.
Print the game sheet, leave it on your desk, and your sub has everything they need: the diagrams, the builds in order, what to say, and what to watch for. This one is $4. #PhysEdU Plus members get all 39, free forever, for $49 a year.
Games that build on the same tactics.
