TECHNIQUE
Today we are going to learn how to front float.
IMPORTANCE
Front floating is important because it teaches you how to relax your muscles and feel your own buoyancy in the water which is essential for more advance swimming skills. Floating is the building block for swimming.
VOCABULARY
Buoyancy: the ability to float.
When front floating, it is important to:
1. Bend at your waist and extend your arms out to your side.
2. Put your face in the water, bringing your body inline with the water surface.
3. Keep your gaze downward and your muscles relaxed.
PRACTICE
- I will divide the class into partners. With your partner, Ro Sham Bo to decide who will practice floating first. When I say, "GO!" help your partner float by placing one hand under their extended arms and another under their thighs. Your partner will count to five and then bring their head up. Everyone will have a chance to float.
- Students place only two fingers under their partner's arms and thighs to help him/her float.
FLOATING LETTERS
TIME
10-20 minutes
NUMBER OF STUDENTS
No restrictions
EQUIPMENT
None
STORYLINE
Today we are playing Floating Letters. Your goal is to front float in the shape of the letter that I call out.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Before the game begins, find an area in the shallow end of the pool.
- I will call out a letter (I, X, Y, T, U).
- Try your best to float for five seconds in the shape of the letter.
Game 1: Play as indicated above
Game 2: Call out different shapes or objects (i.e., circle, tree, stop sign,
Game 3: Have students get into partners. Each student must try to spell their partner’s name.
Exit Ticket: Have students demonstrate a front float before exiting the water.
TEACHING TIPS
- Approach:
- Remind students to use their proper floating form but to bring their head up if they need to breathe.
- ELL Accommodation:
- Post labeled pictures of skills and game play.
- Partner with proficient English speakers for directions/modeling and reflections.
- SpEd Accommodation:
- Allow students extra time to master the skill.
- Allow students to demonstrate the skill one on one with the teacher.
- Set individual goals for physical or behavioral modifications.
- Reflection:
- What is another word for floating?
- How might you encourage a classmate who is struggling to float?
MANATEE MINGLE
TIME
10-20 minutes
NUMBER OF STUDENTS
No restrictions
EQUIPMENT
None
STORYLINE
Today we are playing Manatee Mingle. In this game, you are manatees swimming in the canals. Your goal is to front float with another manatee when you hear, “MINGLE!”
INSTRUCTIONS
- Before the game begins, find an area in the shallow end of the pool.
- When I say, “GO!” begin wading around the water.
- When I say, “MINGLE!” partner up with the manatee swimming closest to you.
- With your partner you will hold hands and front float for five seconds.
- When you are done front floating with your partner, begin wading around the pool again.
Game 1: Play as indicated above. Students have to choose a new partner each time they mingle.
Game 2: Rather than wade, have student hop or bob around the pool.
Game 3: When students hear, “MINGLE!” they have to form groups of three.
Game 4: Each round, eliminate the last pair of manatees to find each other. Play until there are only a few
Exit Ticket: Have students demonstrate a front float before exiting the water.
TEACHING TIPS
- Approach:
- Remind students to use their proper floating form but to bring their head up if they need to breathe.
- ELL Accommodation:
- Post labeled pictures of skills and game play.
- Partner with proficient English speakers for directions/modeling and reflections.
- SpEd Accommodation:
- Allow students extra time to master the skill.
- Allow students to demonstrate the skill one on one with the teacher.
- Set individual goals for physical or behavioral modifications.
- Reflection:
- What is another word for floating?
- How might you encourage a classmate who is struggling to float?
SEA TUNNELS
TIME
10-20 minutes
NUMBER OF STUDENTS
4-20 students per game
EQUIPMENT
1 hula-hoop per group
1 kickboard per group
STORYLINE
Today we are playing Sea Tunnels. In this game, you will be floating through each tunnel (hula-hoop). Your goal is to front float on the kickboard as your group pushes you through each of tunnels.
INSTRUCTIONS
- I will divide the class into four groups.
- With your group find an area in the shallow end.
- Ro Sham Bo with your group to decide who will be the floater and front float through the tunnels first.
- Before the game begins, the floater will place the kickboard under their stomach.
- Everyone else will hold onto a tunnel keeping it half-submerged in the water or push the floater through the tunnel.
- When I say, “GO!” give the floater a big push so he/she can glide through the tunnel.
- When the floater makes it through the tunnel, he/she will switch places with the next student.
Game 1: Play as indicated above.
Game 2: Have groups see how far they can glide each student.
Game 3: Have students merge groups. See if floaters can float through multiple tunnels.
Exit Ticket: Have students demonstrate a front float before exiting the water.
TEACHING TIPS
- Approach:
- Remind students to use their proper floating form but to bring their head up if they need to breathe.
- Remind students to push the floater by his/her feet or legs
- ELL Accommodation:
- Post labeled pictures of skills and game play.
- Partner with proficient English speakers for directions/modeling and reflections.
- SpEd Accommodation:
- Allow students extra time to master the skill.
- Allow students to demonstrate the skill one on one with the teacher.
- Set individual goals for physical or behavioral modifications.
- Reflection:
- What is another word for floating?
- How might you encourage a classmate who is struggling to float?