Torres Strait Islander Culture / Dugong and Turtle Seagrass Tag
Dugong and Turtle Seagrass Tag
A running game about dugong, green turtles and the seagrass meadows of the Torres Strait, animals that are deeply important to Torres Strait Islander culture and sea country.
How to run it
- Explain that the Torres Strait has huge seagrass meadows that feed dugong and green turtles, and that Torres Strait Islander communities have looked after these animals and the sea for generations.
- Scatter green beanbags or paper 'seagrass' across the yard and choose a few children to be 'healthy reef' helpers.
- The rest are dugong and turtles who collect seagrass one piece at a time, while two taggers act as 'rubbish' that freezes them; helpers unfreeze them by naming a way to keep the sea healthy.
- Finish by looking at sea country and dugong and turtle information from the Torres Strait Regional Authority.
You will need
- green beanbags or paper strips
- bibs for taggers and helpers
- cones for boundaries
Make it easier or harderYounger children play without freezing; older children research and share a fact about dugong or green turtles before each round.
SafetyKeep the game about animals and caring for the sea, not about people; set clear boundaries and play on grass.
My Time Our Place · Outcome 2, Outcome 3Children learn about the Torres Strait marine environment and its cultural importance through active play.
Fits these theme days
Torres Strait Islander CultureWorld Oceans DayWorld Turtle DayUnder the SeaThreatened Species DayGames Day
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