Aquatics I

Course Description

Aquatics I is an introductory PE class. No swimming experience is necessary and there are no pre-requisites. This class will promote cardiovascular fitness through participation in a variety of aquatic activities. Non-swimmers will be provided with a strong foundation in order to progress towards becoming a competent swimmer through the American Red Cross Learn to Swim Program (optional). Emphasis will be placed on buoyancy & breathing, entries & exits, & personal safety. These topics will be presented using a variety of methods including skill-& game-related activities. Experienced swimmers will also benefit from the course by participating in the higher levels of the Learn to Swim program. This higher-level course will focus on stroke development & cardiovascular fitness.

Grade Level(s): 9th-12th grades

Related Priority Standards (State &/or National):  Missouri Grade-Level Expectations - Physical Education

Essential Questions

• How can swimming help me improve or maintain my level of physical fitness?
  How can I keep myself safe around water?
• What are the first steps to becoming a proficient swimmer?
• How can I improve my swimming ability?
• How can swimming help me stay or become physically fit?

Enduring Understandings/Big Ideas

• Knowing how to swim expands a person's options for physical fitness throughout his or her lifetime.
• The ability to recognize one's own abilities related to swimming and water safety and act accordingly can save lives and improve one's experience both in and around water.
• Knowing how to swim positively impacts a person's confidence.
• Safety must always be considered in and around water.
• Knowing basic swimming skills improves one's confidence.
• Knowing basic swimming skills increases one's options for becoming or remaining physically fit throughout life.
• Swimming is a skill that can lead to lifelong physical fitness.

Course-Level Scope & Sequence (Units &/or Skills)

Unit: Water Safety

• This unit covers basic water safety and introduces students to the idea that they need to take responsibility for their own safety in and around water by evaluating their personal level of skill.  Students will learn that each person is ultimately responsible for his or her own safety in the water and should not rely on others, including certified lifeguards.  They will come to understand that knowing how to remain safe around water increases an individual's confidence and improves his or her experiences around water.

Unit: Becoming Comfortable In and Around Water

• This unit introduces students to basic skills related to swimming with the goal of helping students become comfortable and more confident in and around water.  Students will learn that swimming is a means to lifelong physical fitness.

Unit: Beginning Swimming Skills

• This unit builds upon the previous two units as students learn how to put the skills together to perform basic swimming functions utilizing recognized strokes.  Students will learn that knowing how to swim expands a person's options for physical fitness throughout his or her lifetime. The ability to recognize one's own abilities related to swimming and water safety and act accordingly can save lives and improve one's  experience both in and around water.  Knowing how to swim positively impacts a person's confidence.

Date Last Revised/Approved:  2014