Beginners Swimming
Swim short distances unaided between 5 & 20 metres using one consistent stroke. Propel themselves over longer distances with the assistance of swimming aids. Move with more confidence in the water, including submerging themselves fully. Enter and exit the water independently.
Knowledge Organiser
Prior Learning
Moved around the pool with feet touching the ground. Climbed in and out of the pool using the stairs. Played games, including putting face in the water, splashing and attempting to float.
Unit Focus
Swim short distances unaided between 5 & 20 metres using one consistent stroke. Propel themselves over longer distances with the assistance of swimming aids. Move with more confidence in the water, including submerging themselves fully. Enter and exit the water independently.
We are learning...
- to move through the water and use our hands to pull and push.
- to lift our feet off the ground and make shapes in the water.
- to push and glide using a float
- to put our faces in the water.
- to stand again after floating on our front.
- to stand again after floating on our backs.
- to swim a short distance on our backs with a float.
- to start kicking when our glide slows down
- to use the ‘sculling’ technique to move ourselves in the water
- to use ‘doggy paddle’ to swim a short distance on our front.
- to move from a glide into a doggy paddle.
- to swim as far as possible on our front or back
Equipment
Floats, noodles, armbands, floating toys such as spinning eggs, whiteboard and pen.
Vocabulary
Swim, kick, front, back, arms, legs, lie on front back, breath, splash, sculling, doggy paddle, prone, supine, glide, stroke, float, effort.
Key Questions
- How long could you glide for when your partner counted?
- What things can help you float?
- Which stroke can you swim furthest with?
Assessment Overview
Head – Move with more confidence in the water, including submerging themselves fully.
Hand – Apply basic arm and leg action to ‘doggy paddle’.
Heart – Aware of other children around them in the pool.
Diagram
Lesson Overview
Beginners Swimming Lesson 2
- Develop confidence lifting feet off the pool floor using support
- Explore floating in different body shapes, prone and supine
- Work cooperatively with a partner to practise and improve movements in the water
We are learning: to lift our feet off the ground and make shapes in the water Activity: Prone and supine floating. Shapes floating.
Beginners Swimming Lesson 1
- Move confidently and with control around the pool using a range of travelling actions
- Follow a partner’s pathway and accurately copy their movements
We are learning: to move through the water and use our hands to pull and push.
Activity: Assessment for learning tasks
Beginners Swimming Lesson 3
- Recap and implement how pushing and pulling against the water help movement
- Develop confidence gliding through the water with feet off the pool floor
- Maintain balance and control when pushing away from the wall
We are learning: to push and glide using a float Activity: Sharks and mermaids. Gliding activity.
Beginners Swimming Lesson 4
- Develop confidence putting parts of the face into the water
- Practise holding breath and blowing bubbles in the water
- Control breathing while submerging the face safely
We are learning: to put our face in the water Activity: Egg splash and face painting
Beginners Swimming Lesson 5
- Float in a prone position without holding on to side/float
- Regain to standing from prone
We are learning: to stand again after floating on our front. Activity: Pirate ship
Beginners Swimming Lesson 6
- Develop confidence floating on the back and regaining feet safely
- Maintain balance and control in a supine floating position
- Work cooperatively with others during water-based activities and relays
We are learning: to stand again after floating on our back Activity: Overhead relay and supine floating challenges
Beginners Swimming Lesson 7
- Develop confidence travelling on the back using a kicking action
- Maintain a stretched, balanced body position while moving through the water
- Increase the distance travelled before needing to regain feet
We are learning: to swim a short distance on our back with a float. Activity: Tug boat challenge and Partner swim
Beginners Swimming Lesson 8
- Develop confidence pushing and gliding through the water
- Transition from a glide into a continuous kicking action
- Maintain a balanced and streamlined body position while travelling
We are learning: to start kicking when our glide slows down Activity: Push, glide, kick
Beginners Swimming Lesson 9
- Develop confidence using sculling hand actions in the water
- Try sculling in different ways
- Understand how hand movements can help create movement and balance
We are learning: to use the ‘sculling’ technique to move ourselves in the water Activity: Octopus and Minos
Beginners Swimming Lesson 10
- Develop confidence using doggy paddle arm actions in the water
- Coordinate arm pulls and kicking to travel through the water
- Increase independence when moving without feet on the pool floor
We are learning: to use ‘doggy paddle’ to swim a short distance on our front. Activity: Doggy Paddle progressions and Treasure Hunt
Beginners Swimming Lesson 11
- Develop confidence transitioning from a glide into doggy paddle
- Coordinate doggy paddle arm actions with kicking to travel further
- Show improvement in basic water based activities
We are learning: to move from a glide into doggy paddle. Activity: Glide into doggy paddle, Assessment for Learning 1
Beginners Swimming Lesson 12
- Develop efficient body positions for travelling on the front and back
- Use controlled arm and leg actions to swim further through the water
- Identify which stroke is their strongest to swim the furthest
We are learning: to swim as far as possible on our front or back Activity: Correct body position and Assessment for learning 2.