Knot Relay
Grade Level/Subject: Science/Intermediate
Audience: All grades.
Goal: The students will tie a square knot, a figure 8 knot, and a bowline.
Materials: A knot tying book, 4' pieces of rope (5 or 6 should do).
Procedure: Teach a few students to tie the above knots proficiently. Then, break into cooperative groups and have each of those students to teach the members of the groups. After everyone has learned to tie the knots, take the groups outside and have each group line up single file. Teacher stands about twenty meters away holding a piece of rope for each group. The students then have a relay race. In the first round, each group member races to the teacher, takes a piece of rope, ties a figure 8 knot, hands the knot back to the teacher, and runs back to his/her group, provided the knot is tied correctly, and tags the next person in line to run to the teacher and repeat the procedure. This continues until each group member has had a chance to tie the knot correctly. The group that finishes first wins the first round. Repeat his procedure for each of the other knots.
Evaluation: Teacher checks to make sure each student ties each knot correctly and independently.
Lesson plan by Greg Handal.