https://padlet.com/mattc5147/j19r74heipol Aquatics 8 Week Layout en-us 2018-11-06 14:37:49 UTC 2018-11-09 21:24:07 UTC hello@padlet.com mattc5147 https://padlet.com/mattc5147/j19r74heipol/wish/301002683 1) For our first week, the main aim was to ensure students felt safe and confident within the water as this is a far more intimidating and frightening environment than a PE hall. We achieved  this through a variety of fun games such as "Keep the balloon up" & "The Floor is Lava". These games allowed me to assess students strengths and weaknesses.

2)  The lessons subsequently progressed to a demonstration of the front crawl from more competent students and then all students were given flotation devices to use, further progressing their confidence.

3) The main goal for these two weeks was to establish a confidence within the students so that they can fully participate and progress over the 8 week period.]]> 2018-11-06 14:45:20 UTC https://padlet.com/mattc5147/j19r74heipol/wish/301002683 mattc5147 https://padlet.com/mattc5147/j19r74heipol/wish/301003783 1) Once there was an established confidence within the students, sculling was introduced. I demonstrated on the edge of the pool while experienced students in the class demonstrated within the pool. Our progression task was to scull in the deeper sections of the pool.
Main Cues I used included: Fingers together, drawing the letter "S" with their hands. Do not move very fast, stay slow and controlled. Knees bent at 90 degrees and just like the PE classes, do high knees to stay afloat.

2) The students then attempted holding their heads slightly below the water while sculling, by joining the skills, it allowed students to apply  the skill to real life application (Kaplan 2002). 

3) Furthermore students learned to float face down on the water, and push off the wall and glide. Through the refinement tasks I used, students were quite competent at both sculling and floating on the water. ]]> 2018-11-06 14:46:52 UTC https://padlet.com/mattc5147/j19r74heipol/wish/301003783 mattc5147 https://padlet.com/mattc5147/j19r74heipol/wish/301004489 1) This two week block was perhaps the most important as students aimed to refine the skill of the front crawl through a number of specific activities. These included Kicking from the Hips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukM_5buO7uE&feature=youtu.be
While we began by holding the wall, we progressed to Moving Without the Support: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1VmvHULvZc


A progression that proved very beneficial was incorporating breathing into this on every third stroke. Students were working in the Zone of Proximal Development.

2) I also used peer reciprocal teaching as students were given task cards to assess one another in pairs. A cue that i found very beneficial was reminding students to relax their muscles. (When muscles are tensed and full of blood, they sink more easily, therefore making it incredibly difficult to swim correctly). To combat a sinking trunk, we used a Floating Device: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEZJ1buv1Pc&feature=youtu.be

3) At the end of this block, the majority of students could swim the width of the pool using correct technique, from our skill refinement and also breathing correctly. When completed, students swimming should look like this:

4) When i was Providing Feedback to students, main cues i looked for were: Ear in the water when breathing, Elbow exiting water prior to hand, Fingers held together, hips kept as close to parallel as possible.
Front View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FqM-CRXRp8&feature=youtu.be

Side View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9nLf4krQYc&feature=youtu.be]]> 2018-11-06 14:47:50 UTC https://padlet.com/mattc5147/j19r74heipol/wish/301004489 mattc5147 https://padlet.com/mattc5147/j19r74heipol/wish/301004786 1) The final two weeks were dedicated solely to perfecting and consolidating the skill of the front crawl. I implemented a number of skill orientated drills at varying levels of difficulty. One adaptation was moving from the shallow end to the deep end while practising breathing etc. 

2) The culminating event of sorts was a "games day" within the pool which allowed for students to test themselves, but also enjoy time with their peers. These including games of bulldog within the pool. 

3) As a whole, the 8 week block was a great success. I was happy with the progression of tasks and the fluidity of the unit. If i was to repeat the experience, i feel it would be easier in smaller groups or with another teacher perhaps so I could give more individualised feedback.  ]]> 2018-11-06 14:48:14 UTC https://padlet.com/mattc5147/j19r74heipol/wish/301004786