A Swimming Pool for Sarah

Objective

Students learn about solving problems associated with growing bigger, about sharing and resolving conflicts, and about safety in the water.

Description

It’s a hot Sunday in July, and Sarah is out in the garden trying to find a place to cool off. Her Mum brings out the tub from last summer that Sarah used to sit in and play with her plastic ducks. Sarah is thrilled, but suddenly realizes she has grown and is now too big to fit in the tub. Besides, Sarah’s little sister Amanda is now big enough to go in the pool – and of course she wants to play in the pool whenever Sarah does!

Procedures

Build a new swimming pool for Sarah, making sure it is big enough for both sisters to play in. Consider how they can get in and out easily – and make sure it is big enough for the both of them!

Discussion

What do you need to consider for the next summer, when the two girls will be even bigger? Did you make the pool big enough to last at least a couple of years?

Just getting into the water on a hot summer’s day is fun – but it’s even more fun when you have things to do and play with in the pool. What kinds of games and toys can you play with in the water?

As fun as swimming pools are, we must always remember to play safely around the water. What can Sarah and Amanda do to make sure that they stay safe in her pool?

Continuation

Sarah loves her little sister, but sometimes she feels like playing alone. Amanda doesn’t like that – she wants to go in the pool too! Can you change the swimming pool to give both Sarah and Amanda an area where they can play by themselves?

Try making a slide, diving board, and floating toys for the girls to play with in their pool.