There has been some debate as to whether National Submarine Day recognizes a real submarine or a submarine sandwich, but my research indicated that April 11, 1900, is recognized as the date that the United States Navy acquired its first commissioned modern submarine, the Holland VI. I chose to do activities for this type of submarine.
After talking a bit about submarines and the function of a periscope, I made a simple submarine from a Hostess Twinkie, bent straw, frosting, and mints. Afterwards, I showed the children a plastic cartoon set of the Beatles with their yellow submarine and played the song "Yellow Submarine." We used this song to play a version of musical chairs (we used dots) where no one is ever eliminated from the game. Each time the music played, students moved in a different way. When the music stopped, and a person ended up without a dot, he/she simply added on with another person. This continued until there were actually two big groups vying for one dot. The students enjoyed this friendly competition.
One class did an activity where we used bendable straws to make a periscope for each student. They
put the periscopes in their mouths and the group passed a large rubber band around the circle using just the straw. No hands were allowed. It was cute and actually quite challenging.
Students move around the circle waiting for the "Yellow Submarine" song to stop.
They will find a polyspot to stand on as quick as possible.
These students paired up when one was left without a polyspot.
They are marching around the circle.
This large group celebrates after landing on the last dot and winning the game.
This class poses with the cartoon characters of the Beatles with their yellow submarine.
The teacher aide shows off the yellow submarine she
made using a Hostess Twinkie, straw, frosting, and mints.
Bendable straws were used as periscopes.
Students passed a rubber band, which took a lot of concentration.
One student delivers the rubber band and the other receives it.
This will continue as it is passed around the circle.
