Goals:

To identify various water sports.

To experience water sports.

To discuss the physical benefits of water sports.

Content Areas:

Physical Education - swimming

Health - benefits of exercise

Science - buoyancy/water pressure

Language Arts - journal writing

Materials:

Parent consent forms

Insurance

Fee (if applicable)

Several chaperones

Reserve a swimming pool

Transportation (if necessary)

Items that float (kick boards, etc.)

Items that sink (pucks, etc.)

Procedure: (1 hour 15 minutes)

1) Bring students to swimming pool (either within school or within the community).

2) Brainstorm different water sports i.e. swimming, diving, water polo, water aerobics, synchronized swimming.

3) Brainstorm what benefits swimming has over other types of exercise. (uses many muscle groups, good for endurance, etc.)

4) Discuss aspects of buoyancy, water pressure, etc. Show students objects that sink and float.

5) Play a game of water volleyball or allow students to enjoy “free swim” time!

6) Journal Entry - Have students summarize what they learned from this experience.

Assessment:

The means of assessment include class discussion and participation in the water sport activity. Criteria for success: Through discussion, each student must demonstrate his/her ability to identify various water sports and discuss the benefits to the body. The students must also demonstrate a basic understanding of buoyancy. These elements of discussion must be found in each journal entry. The student's willingness to participate in the swim activity will also contribute to his/her success.

Extensions:

Besides going swimming, take students to a lake or river where they can begin to see plant/animal life that lives near or in water.

Have students calculate the volume of pool or lake you swim in.

Bring in a scuba diver or snorkel expert to share techniques with students.

 
Making Waves - written by Jennifer Cannistra, Jamie Hanna, Michael LeRoy, & Kim Mongoven

This page was submitted by St. Norbert College Ocean Voyagers Program