Activity:         Survival:   (active game) individuals or teams become different species and must choose appropriate survival responses to predators.

Skills:           cooperation, reading, animal survival behavior

Materials:     picture/word cards including: coyote, robin, hawk, worm, rabbit, mouse, cat, bee, praying mantis, mosquito, human, acorn, frog, butterfly, owl, bear, woodchuck, ant, chipmunk, bluejay, ladybug, squirrel, blueberry, etc., timer

Procedure:

1. Set up spaces in the room using furniture or Bear Blocks™ to designate survival spaces or survival actions (i.e. underground, go up high, freeze, run or escape.
2. Place survival cards picture side down, printed word side up on the floor.
3. Divide the group into 3 teams, leave one child out to be the predator or the teacher may take on this role.
4. To start the game each team chooses one card and becomes that species.
5. Next, the predator chooses a card and holds it up for all teams to see. At this time, the predator also sets the timer.
6. While time is running, each team must decide what their reaction to the predator will be.
7. When the time runs out, the predator yells out, "Here I come!"
8. Teams make their choice and take action.
9. Teacher now checks with each team and asks others if they made the best survival response.

Variations:

1. Play outdoors in the Toddler Climber space.
2. Children can each pick a card and become that species.
3. Children can play with partners.
4. Play as a game scoring points. Correct resposes earn points; incorrect responses subtract points.
5. Play as a group reward game where all correct responses earn points toward a common goal (i.e. marbles to fill a jar).
6. Play as a game of musical chairs; give each child a card and place the predator card on each chair.

A predator is a person or animal that lives by capturing and feeding upon other animals

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