This game is a variation of a classic tag-based game that many students call Sharks and Minnows. Tag games are easy to understand and play but require a particular emphasis on sportsmanship. The instructor will not be able to see every tag made, so the children will have to manage disputes about whether someone was tagged or not. The children must be honest with each other for the games to be fun. Being fun to play against means they play by the rules and admit when they are tagged. When a dispute cannot be settled, I usually resort to rock-paper-scissors (best of one).

The Timeline of Life is rich with many predators and prey combinations. Sea scorpion versus ostracoderms, T-Rex versus triceratops, grizzly bears versus salmon; there are so many options! This game will explain the predator-prey relationship and food chain/web dynamics. When there are a lot of predators and not much prey, some predators will starve because there will not be anything to catch. When there is a lot of prey and not many predators, this increases the chance that the predators will catch something. The game naturally balances itself (almost always), as nature tends to balance itself within food chains.

Materials: 

·      An ample open space (such as a gym or field)

·      Some type of jersey or pennies for identification

Minimum Number of Players Needed: You could play this game with five or six students, but it works better with a classroom of around twenty. If you have a vast play space, then this game could accommodate many students (30+)

Age: All Ages