- All years
Getting ready to swim
I can explain the whistle code and demonstrate safe entries and exits, how to regain footing to understand ground rules and key safety information before my first swimming lesson.
- All years
Getting ready to swim
I can explain the whistle code and demonstrate safe entries and exits, how to regain footing to understand ground rules and key safety information before my first swimming lesson.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Move: performing safe entry and exits, and regaining footing requires control and balance.
- Move: front paddle arm action involves stretching the hand forwards.
- Think: ensuring you have packed the correct equipment is key for swimming lessons.
- Feel: always working hard and trying your best demonstrates self-motivation.
- Connect: swimming activities are important life skills requiring us to respect others as we increase water confidence.
Keywords
Entry - a method of carefully and safely getting into the pool
Expectations - what will happen in the future swimming lessons
Ground rules - what must happen to keep people safe in the water and at the pool
Common misconception
If a pupil loses their balance, they may struggle to stand back up. Often, they instinctively put their hands on the pool floor, which can make it even harder to return to a standing position.
Pupils move their knees under their chest, lift their head and pull back with their hands. They can pratise adapted burpees to get used to this movement.
To help you plan your all years physical education lesson on: Getting ready to swim, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your all years physical education lesson on: Getting ready to swim, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom.
Explore more key stage 2 physical education lessons from the Swimming: pre-swimming familiarisation, activation and water safety unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
bench/gymnastics tables, mat, different swimming kits, bucket filled with water, towel and whistle, additional material
Content guidance
- Additional qualification required
- Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
