Time required: 30 minutes (10 minutes for alternative version)
Materials required: Six pylons or other markers to delineate the game area.
Background information:This activity can be used as an informal means for measuring participant understanding, both before and after completing the Water Watchdog program. Tell the participants that northern pike and walleye are predatory fish (predators are animals that feed on other animals). Humans are predators of both northern pike and walleye as they are very tasty fish!
Instructions: This activity can take place either indoors or outdoors. Use the pylons or markers to form a rectangular game area that is about 10 by 20 meters. Use two of the pylons to mark the centre line. Divide the group into two equal teams and have them face each other along the centre line, 2 meters apart. Designate one side as "True" and one side as "False". Tell the participants if they can cross the line behind them before they are tagged, they are safe. Read a statement. If the statement is true, then the "True" side chases the "False" side and tries to tag them before they reach the safe zone. If a participant is tagged, then that counts for one point. For example, you read the statement, "In Canada, we don't have to worry about running out of water." This is a false statement, so the "False" participants chase the "True" ones. If four "False" participants tag four "True" participants, then the "False" team would score four points. If you ensure that there are an equal number of true and false statements, the two teams can be compared at the end of the activity. Do not alternate true and false statements; otherwise the participants will learn the pattern!
