WOW Game Title: Predator/Prey
CATCH Game: Sharks and Minnows
Content Area: Science
Physical Education Unit: Cardiovascular games, Locomotor movements
TEKS Focus: Ecosystems
Grade: 4
Resource: Cindy Austria, CATCH activity box 3-5
Equipment/Materials Needed: Bean bags or small nerf balls to designate who are the predators
Set Up: Area with boundaries, large gym or blacktop sized area.
Activity:
Two to three students are picked as predators. They have the bean bags to designate them. The prey
lines up at one end of the playing area. At the command of the predators the prey will move across the space by
skipping, galloping or sliding, to the opposite end of the playing area without going outside the boundaries.
When the prey is tagged, they sit down at the point they were tagged. As soon as all the prey are on the
opposite boundary, the predators command them to cross again. (Ex. of commands - Swim to the other side,
gallop across the savannah, swim upstream, soar to the other trees, etc.) Continue until all students have been
caught. If anyone goes outside the boundaries, they are considered caught, and must sit down.
Variations:
 When tagged, they sit down cross legged, and wave their arms. They become babies (of whatever
predator they are). They can’t move from their sitting position, but can touch a prey going by and tag
them.
 Prey do not have to go across the space on command. When the game starts, they may move anywhere
within the boundaries. The game continues until all are tagged by the predators or the babies. When
prey is tagged, they turn into seaweed (fish die, drift to the bottom, remains fertilize the bottom of the
ocean and more seaweed grows – kelp forest).
Science variations:
 Change the predator/prey to what is being studied.
Examples: Octopus/starfish, Sea Otter/oysters or clams, Lions/antelope, Bears/salmon,
Falcons or eagles/wrens, pigeons, or sparrows
Review Questions:
Skill focus: What are the long term benefits to making your heat beat faster?
Academic focus: What is the difference between predator and prey?