ADAPTED AQUATICS LESSON PLANS - by Kristine Stopka
Designed for Level 1 and Level 2 Kindergarteners

Introduction: Water Entry / Exploration & Primary Skills

Age group: 3-5 year olds, male and female

Disability: Hyperactive and do not know how to swim

Skill level: Level 1-2

Facility needed: Pool with shallow end preferably, at most 4 feet deep, with wall gutter for students to support themselves with during the lessons.

Goals for unit: The entire unit of eight 30 minute lessons is to familiarize the students with the water, learn basic survival skills such as bubble blowing and floating. The students will also become acquainted with the freestyle and elementary backstroke.

LESSON 1: The Water is My Friend!

Opening: 5- 10 minutes – "Ultra Stretch" major muscle groups while sitting on the edge of the pool. Then students will proceed to "bathe" themselves with the water while still sitting on the edge of the pool in order to get acclimated to the temperature of the pool. The instructor will mimic the action standing in the shallow end and lead the group in a song (eg., Mary had a Little Lamb) to fully involve the students.

Water Entry/ Bubbles- 15 min: Students are supervised and allowed to slide into the pool with the aide of the instructor using folded gym mats to create a smooth slow and safe sliding board which entices kids to enter the water. At this point students will also work on getting their faces wet. Bubbles are taught as a group with an overall introduction using a "monkey see, monkey do" approach. Students will then be taken individually and encouraged to blow out birthday candles or blow the ping-pong ball across the pool to encourage the correct exhalation needed for blowing bubbles. Talking to the fishies is also synonymous with bubble blowing.

Closing 5-10 min: Students will sing a song with instructor, (3 Little Speckled Frogs), each gets a turn to jump into the pool to the instructor and then with assistance swim out about 10 yards and then back to the wall. "Good-Byes," "High Fives!"

LESSON 2: Talking to the Fishies

Opening: 5- 10 minutes – "Ultra Stretch" major muscle groups while sitting on the edge of the pool. Then students will proceed to "bathe" themselves with the water while still sitting on the edge of the pool in order to get acclimated to the temperature of the pool. The instructor will mimic the action standing in the shallow end and lead the group in a song (eg., Mary had a Little Lamb) to fully involve the students.

Water Entry/ Freestyle Arms Introduction - 15 min: Students are supervised and allowed to slide into the pool with the aide of the instructor using folded gym mats to create a smooth slow and safe sliding board which entices kids to enter the water. Students will be encouraged to blow bubbles, or "talk to the fishies" to develop better breath control.

Once each student has "talked to the fishies" the instructor will introduce the freestyle arm stroke by way of a target game to incorporate the overhand throwing motion that is so similar to the freestyle arm technique. Splash balls or soft toys with an engineered laundry basket can be used to create the game. Students will also sit on the wall and practice ABC arms: ABC arms are simply when the students practice the freestyle arm motion and sing the ABCs while sitting on the edge of the pool.

Closing 5-10 min: Students will sing a song with instructor, (3 Little Speckled Frogs), each gets a turn to jump in with instructor assistance and swim, with instructor support, out about 10 yards and then back to the wall. "Good-Byes," "High Fives!"

LESSON 3: Pinwheel Swim

Opening: 5- 10 minutes – "Ultra Stretch" major muscle groups while sitting on the edge of the pool. Then students will proceed to"bathe" themselves with the water while still sitting on the edge of the pool in order to get acclimated to the temperature of the pool. The instructor will mimic the action standing in the shallow end and lead the group in a song (eg., Mary had a Little Lamb) to fully involve the students. Sing the ABCs while doing the ABC arm activity.

Freestyle Arm Review and Kick Introduction - 15 min: Students are supervised and allowed to slide into the pool with the aide of the instructor using folded gym mats to create a smooth slow and safe sliding board which entices kids to enter the water. Students will be encouraged to blow bubbles, or "talk to the fishies" to develop better breath control.

Once each student has "talked to the fishies" the instructor will review freestyle arms by quizzing students and asking them to show her how the technique is supposed to look. The instructor will then introduce the kick showing an example while holding onto the side of the wall. Once students have become familiar with the technique, the group can play Red Light, Green Light, to practice kicks. Red Light, Green Light- students kicking on edge, red light they stop, green light they kick as hard and fast as they can.

Closing 5-10 min: Students will sing a song with instructor, (3 Little Speckled Frogs), each gets a turn to jump in with instructor assistance and swim, with instructor support, out about 10 yards and then back to the wall. Students will be encouraged to practice their freestyle arms or “big arms” and proper kick "big kicks" during this activity. "Good-Byes,' "High Fives!"

LESSON 4: Kick Stick Fun!

Opening: 10 minutes – "Ultra Stretch" major muscle groups while sitting on the edge of the pool. Then students will proceed to "bathe" themselves with the water while still sitting on the edge of the pool in order to get acclimated to the temperature of the pool. The instructor will mimic the action standing in the shallow end and lead the group in a song (eg., The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round) to fully involve the students. Sing the ABCs while doing the ABC arm activity and play Red Light, Green Light.

Freestyle Kicking - 15 min: Students are supervised and allowed to slide into the pool with the aide of the instructor using folded gym mats to create a smooth slow and safe sliding board which entices kids to enter the water. Students will be encouraged to blow bubbles, or “talk to the fishies” to improve breath control.

Once each student has "talked to the fishies" the instructor will review freestyle arms by quizzing students and asking them to show her how the technique is supposed to look. The instructor will then introduce the use of kick sticks to facilitate the learning or proper kicking technique. Each student will complete several rounds of kicking with instructor support to reach their favorite toy at the other end of the shallow end.

Closing 5-10 min: Students will sing a song with instructor, (3 Little Speckled Frogs), each gets a turn to jump in with instructor assistance and swim, with instructor support, out about 10 yards and then back to the wall. Students will be encouraged to practice their freestyle arms or "big arms" and proper kick "big kicks" during this activity. "Good-Byes," "High Fives!"

LESSON 5: Arms + Kick = Swim

Opening: 10 minutes – "Ultra Stretch" major muscle groups while sitting on the edge of the pool. Then students will proceed to "bathe" themselves with the water while still sitting on the edge of the pool in order to get acclimated to the temperature of the pool. The instructor will mimic the action standing in the shallow end and lead the group in a song (eg., The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round) to fully involve the students. Sing the ABCs while doing the ABC arm activity and play Red Light, Green Light.

Freestyle Arms and Kicks - 15 min: Students are supervised and allowed to slide into the pool with the aide of the instructor using folded gym mats to create a smooth slow and safe sliding board which entices kids to enter the water. Students will be encouraged to blow bubbles, or "talk to the fishies" to improve breath control.

Once each student has "talked to the fishies" the instructor will review freestyle arms by quizzing students and asking them to show her how the technique is supposed to look. The instructor will also review proper kicking technique using the kick sticks. The instructor will then take each student one by one encouraging proper body position, big arms, and big kicks in order to put the entire stroke together. Students can throw their favorite toy out into the pool and then swim with instructor assistance to retrieve the toy.

Closing 5-10 min: Students will sing a song with instructor, (3 Little Speckled Frogs), each gets a turn to jump in with instructor assistance and swim, with instructor support, out about 10 yards and then back to the wall. Students will be encouraged to practice their freestyle arms or "big arms" and proper kick “big kicks” during this activity. "Good-Byes," "High Fives!"

LESSON 6: Look Mom! I Can Float!

Opening: 10 minutes – "Ultra Stretch" major muscle groups while sitting on the edge of the pool. Then students will proceed to "bathe" themselves with the water while still sitting on the edge of the pool in order to get acclimated to the temperature of the pool. The instructor will mimic the action standing in the shallow end and lead the group in a song (eg., The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round) to fully involve the students. Sing the ABCs while doing the ABC arm activity and play Red Light, Green Light to warm up and familiarize with the freestyle kicking technique.

Freestyle Review/Floating Supine - 15 min: Students are supervised and allowed to slide into the pool with the aide of the instructor using folded gym mats to create a smooth slow and safe sliding board which entices kids to enter the water. Students will be encouraged to blow bubbles, or "talk to the fishies" to improve breath control.

Once each student has "talked to the fishies" the instructor will review freestyle arms and legs with the use of kick sticks and then a reaching exercise (for a toy) while practicing arms to encourage big arms and proper freestyle motion. Next, the instructor will introduce the back float, first by example. Reassure students that you are there to support them. Take students individually into the pool and support them as they attempt the back float. Ques to use include: hair wet, head back, chin up, look up at the sky, tummy to the sky, balance a toy on their stomach, arms out like an airplane, body of Jell-o, pretend you are on a cloud, relax, relax, relax.

Closing 5-10 min: Students will sing a song with instructor, (3 Little Speckled Frogs), each gets a turn to jump in with instructor assistance and swim, with instructor support, out about 10 yards and then back to the wall. Students will be encouraged to practice their freestyle stroke during this activity. "Good-Byes," "High Fives!"

LESSON 7: Monkey, Airplane, Soldier!

Opening: 10 minutes – "Ultra Stretch" major muscle groups while sitting on the edge of the pool. Then students will proceed to "bathe" themselves with the water while still sitting on the edge of the pool in order to get acclimated to the temperature of the pool. The instructor will mimic the action standing in the shallow end and lead the group in a song (eg., The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round) to fully involve the students. Sing the ABCs while doing the ABC arm activity and play Red Light, Green Light to warm up and familiarize with the freestyle kicking technique.

Floating Supine/ Elementary Backstroke - 15 min: Students are supervised and allowed to slide into the pool with the aide of the instructor using folded gym mats to create a smooth slow and safe sliding board which entices kids to enter the water. Students will be encouraged to blow bubbles, or "talk to the fishies" to improve breath control.

Once each student has "talked to the fishies" the instructor will review the supine floating technique and individually practice with each child using the ques listed above to help the children understand proper form. Next, the instructor will introduce the arm technique for the elementary backstroke, first by example. The ques "Monkey, Airplane, Soldier" are used to explain arm movements for the stroke. Have students sit on the side of the pool and practice arm movements as a team at varying speeds to keep students interested. Once this is mastered, individually practice with each student in the pool encouraging proper arm technique.

Closing 5-10 min: Students will sing a song with instructor, (3 Little Speckled Frogs), each gets a turn to jump in with instructor assistance and swim, with instructor support, out about 10 yards and then back to the wall. Students will be encouraged to practice their Elementary Backstroke technique during this activity.

LESSON 8: Put Me in Coach, I’m Ready to Play!

Opening: 5 minutes – "Ultra Stretch" major muscle groups while sitting on the edge of the pool. Then students will proceed to "bathe" themselves with the water while still sitting on the edge of the pool in order to get acclimated to the temperature of the pool. The instructor will mimic the action standing in the shallow end and lead the group in a song (eg., Song of choice) to fully involve the students. Sing the ABCs while doing the ABC arm activity and play Red Light, Green Light to warm up and familiarize with the freestyle kicking technique.

Life Jackets and Stroke Review - 20 min: Students are supervised and allowed to slide into the pool with the aide of the instructor using folded gym mats to create a smooth slow and safe sliding board which entices kids to enter the water. Students will be encouraged to blow bubbles, or "talk to the fishies" to improve breath control. Once each student has "talked to the fishies" the instructor will introduce the use of water safety and more specifically life jackets. Each student will then try one on and get to see what it is like to swim with a one on. Students will be encouraged to practice the freestyle and backstroke while in the life jackets. Next, the teacher will review the entire freestyle stroke and proceed with each student individually as well as with the elementary backstroke.

Closing 5-10 min: Students will sing a song with instructor, (3 Little Speckled Frogs); each gets a turn to jump in with instructor assistance and swim, with instructor support, out about 10 yards and then back to the wall. Students will be encouraged to practice their stroke of choice, freestyle or elementary backstroke during this activity. "Good-Byes," "High Fives" and Certificate of Completion presentation.

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