Goals:

To learn to balance with another student and maneuver in a two person canoe on still water.

To learn important aspects of canoeing including putting in, portaging, and weight distribution.

To discuss the similarities and differences of canoeing on still water and moving water.

Content Areas:

Physical Education - balance, paddling, steering

Science - gravity, body's center of gravity

Social Studies - past and present uses of canoes

Materials:

Several chaperones

Reserve a swimming pool (if necessary)

Transportation (if necessary)

Several canoes and paddles

Procedure: (2 to 4 hours)

1) Bring students to a shallow lake with a large beach area. A swimming pool may be used, but more instructors will be necessary to help. All instructors and students must wear life jackets. No exceptions.

2) Brainstorm different uses for canoes during the past and today. Ask students to discuss the different types of materials that are used in constructing a canoe. Include a dug out canoe, a birch bark canoe, and a modern fiberglass or plastic canoe. What do these materials have in common? What do students think is a typical size canoe? Any exceptions? Remember Native American built birch bark canoes that were almost 50 feet long!

3) Discuss aspects of balance and one's center of gravity. How do these aspects change as different seating positions in the canoe changes? Which is best?

4) Demonstrate how to paddle and steer a two person canoe.

5) Students can begin to work in groups or pairs depending upon how many canoes are available. All students should get an opportunity to canoe in both the front and rear positions.

Assessment:

Students will be assessed based upon participation during the activity and group discussion. Although students are not expected to master the art of canoeing, they should gain knowledge about how to canoe, in addition to some first hand experience. Criteria for success: Students can explain how to load and carry a canoe, how to sit in a canoe, and how to paddle. Oral or written assessment is acceptable.

Extensions:

Have someone who canoes avidly help teach students to canoe and describe his/her trips canoeing.

Plan a canoe trip.

 This page was submitted by St. Norbert College Ocean Voyagers Program