What is a Boat?

• A lesson on boats starts with an understanding of what constitutes a boat. Explain that boats come in different sizes and shapes depending upon their purpose. The riders in the boat propel it with the use of motors, paddles, oars or sails. Ask the kindergarten students to bring pictures of a boat or, if they have personal pictures, ones of them riding in a boat. Have those with personal experience with boats talk about riding or fishing in a boat.
  
  

History and Types

• Using pictures and illustrations, share the history of boats from the sailboats used on the Euphrates, Nile and Tigris rivers of Egypt and the squat Phoenician sailing boats to the Viking longboats and the different types of boats used today. Boats today include canoes, fishing boats, motorboats and sailboats to name a few. Talk about the different uses for each boat. Have the kindergarten students draw and color pictures of the type of boat they like the most and tell a short, made-up story that includes the boat of their choice. Let the kindergartners use their imagination in the storytelling.
  
  

Create a Boat

• Learning about boats isn’t complete until the students create their own boats. The idea is to make something that will actually float on water. Have the size of the boats reflect the size of the body of water in which the students will try to float them. If you use a child's pool you can make boats out of larger objects, like a cereal box, than if your only water access is a sink. Use smaller boxes, such as a tea bag box, for a bucket or sink. Tape the top closed and cut out the back, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges for stability. The front becomes the bottom of the boat. Cover the the bottom and sides of the box with aluminum foil, being careful not to poke holes or rip the foil.
  
  

Create the Sail and Float

• Use regular-size straws for smaller boxes and extra-long straws for cereal box boats. Make three 1-inch slits on one end of the straw. Cut sails from fabric or have students cut sails from construction paper and color them. Glue or tape the sails onto the uncut end of the straw. Spread the straw cuts apart and tape the straw to the inside of the boat to create a sail.
  
  Once boats are made, it is time to see if they float without going down or falling over. Fix those that do not float. Let the kindergarten students take turns blowing on their sails to make them move. Pair students and create a series of boat races.