Want to try a new spin on this old classic? This version of the fishing game adds extra elements to foster academic learning, and motor skill development, with the same excitement that the traditional fishing game offers! If you become a pro at this then you may want to try the real thing in the future, there’s a great fishing charter in Florida which would be an ideal place for a vacation too! They have a range of reefs for you to visit and is the only place that’s home to the living coral reef in the United States. You can visit www.key-west-fishing.link for more, but first lets learn the basics. In this version of the game, the fish all have learning concepts written onto the back of them. After the child catches the fish, they complete the special “surprises” written on the back of the fish.
The key to this game is writing learning concepts on the back of the fish that fit into your child’s academic and developmental level. Try using academics, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, handwriting, social skills, or a combination of various skills. See the table below for sample ideas.
Materials Needed
-1 Toy Fishing Pole with a Magnet End- (You can also make your own fishing pole with a ruler, string, and magnet)
-Construction Paper
-Paperclips
-Markers to decorate
-Lamination paper (optional)
How to Construct
-Cut out various sized and colored fish shapes with construction paper
-Decorate one side as a fish and write a learning objective on the back (see list below for learning objective ideas)
-Add a paperclip to the nose of the fish (the more paperclips added to the fish, the easier it will be for your child to “catch” the fish with the magnetic fishing pole)
-To extend the life of your paper fish, laminate the fish after constructing
Sample Concepts
Write various types of learning concepts on the back of the fish (one concept per fish) and after the child catches the fish, he/she answers the concept on the back of the fish. This game can be tailored to teach all kinds of concepts for various developmental levels. Here’s a list of example concepts to use with your child….
|
Academic Skills |
Fine Motor Skills |
Gross Motor Skills |
Social Skills |
| How many fish still need to be caught? | Draw a picture of a fish | Pretend to swim around for 60 seconds | Name one thing you like about the fish you caught |
| What shape is drawn on the back of the fish? | Show me how to hold the pencil correctly | Stand on one foot to catch the next fish | Who would you like to go fishing with? |
| Write the color of fish you caught. | Put 3 paperclips onto the fish’s nose | Use your non-dominant hand to catch the next fish | Tell me how you caught that fish
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You won’t have to use much bait to get your child to want to “go fishing” with this smarter fishing game!