Lesson Plan | Active Methodology | Swimming

Premises: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class duration, prior student study both with the Book and the beginning of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be carried out during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a large part of the available time.

Objective

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

This part of the lesson plan is essential for providing a solid understanding of swimming as a sport. By clearly defining specific objectives, the teacher helps students concentrate on the core elements of swimming that are vital for discussion during the class. Additionally, by emphasizing the importance of each objective, students are encouraged to appreciate swimming not just as a fun activity, but as a sport steeped in history and technical variations that require study and practice.

Objective Utama:

1. Understand swimming as a sport by familiarizing students with its rules and formats.

2. Identify and describe the main swimming styles (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly), noting their unique characteristics and differences.

3. Explore the history of swimming, highlighting key milestones and developments that have shaped the sport we know today.

Objective Tambahan:

1. Enhance research and critical analysis skills in sourcing information about swimming.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The introduction aims to engage students with previously studied content using problem-based scenarios that inspire critical thinking about applying their knowledge. Contextualization helps to illustrate the practical and historical significance of swimming, setting the stage for a deeper, more applied understanding throughout the lesson.

Problem-Based Situation

1. Imagine a swimming race and a competitor gets disqualified for using an improper stroke. What stroke do you think they might have used instead and why?

2. Recall a real-life instance where swimming was crucial in a rescue. How could knowing the different swimming styles have made a difference in that situation?

Contextualization

Swimming is not only a beloved Olympic sport but also an essential skill that can prove vital in emergencies, such as water rescues and evacuations during natural disasters. Being able to swim and understanding various styles enhances personal safety while also opening pathways for competitions and careers. Moreover, swimming's history stretches back to ancient civilizations, where it was performed in rituals and contests. The development of swimwear and techniques illustrates technological and societal progress over the years.

Development

Duration: (70 - 75 minutes)

The Development stage is crafted to immerse students in practical scenarios that require applying their foundational knowledge of swimming. Group work builds collaboration and communication skills, while simultaneously deepening their understanding of swimming styles through engaging and contextually relevant activities. Each activity aims not only to reinforce theoretical concepts but also to spark creativity and critical thinking.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended that only one of the suggested activities be carried out

Activity 1 - Classroom Aquatic Olympics

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Apply theoretical and practical swimming knowledge in a simulated competitive environment, while developing research, teamwork, and presentation skills.

- Description: In this activity, students will split into groups of up to 5 and represent different countries in a simulated swimming competition. Each group will select a swimming style to compete in (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, or butterfly), applying their theoretical and practical knowledge to devise winning strategies.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Each group chooses the country they will represent.

• Select a swimming style for the competition.

• Conduct quick research on the techniques and world records related to the chosen style.

• Create a competition strategy considering factors like speed, endurance, and efficiency of the selected style.

• Present to the class, explaining the strategy and the advantages of the chosen style.

Activity 2 - Swimming Detectives

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Develop critical thinking and analytical skills by utilizing knowledge of swimming styles to solve a 'mystery'.

- Description: In groups, students will take on the role of detectives to solve an 'aquatic crime'. They will analyze a video of a swimming competition where a swimmer is accused of using an illegal stroke. By using their knowledge of swimming styles, students must decide if the swimmer indeed violated the rules and explain their reasoning.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Watch the video of the competition.

• Review the characteristics of the different swimming styles.

• Discuss as a group whether the swimmer used an illegal stroke, and justify your conclusion.

• Prepare a class presentation to share the group's decision and reasoning.

Activity 3 - Olympic Pool Designers

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Foster a practical understanding of the necessities for different swimming styles and how the swimming environment can affect athlete performance.

- Description: Students will design an Olympic swimming pool, taking into account factors such as size, shape, depth, and wall slope to potentially enhance record-breaking swims. Groups will then present their designs, justifying their choices based on what they have learned about swimming styles.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Research the specifications of an Olympic pool.

• Sketch the design of an Olympic pool on paper, considering how different designs might benefit various swimming styles.

• Create a presentation explaining the design choices and how they impact swimmer performance.

Feedback

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The purpose of this feedback stage is to solidify the learning achieved during the practical activities, allowing students to articulate their takeaways and how they applied their knowledge. This group discussion reinforces comprehension of swimming concepts while honing communication and reasoning skills. Additionally, it provides space for critical reflection on the significance of swimming as a sport and its real-world applications.

Group Discussion

To initiate the group discussion, the teacher can ask each group to share their experiences from the activities. Students should feel encouraged to discuss the strategies they used, what they learned about swimming styles, and how they applied theoretical knowledge in real-life scenarios. Prompt students to reflect on any challenges faced and how they navigated them, alongside highlighting what they found most intriguing or demanding.

Key Questions

1. What were the main challenges when trying to apply your theoretical knowledge of swimming to the practical activities?

2. How did collaboration within your group help to tackle these challenges?

3. Did any aspect of the activities shift your perspective on swimming as a sport?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The aim of the Conclusion stage is to ensure that all students have comprehended the essential concepts discussed and understand their relevance in real-world contexts. This also reinforces the importance of the content learned, motivating students to continue exploring and practicing swimming, whether in competitive or recreational settings.

Summary

In the conclusion, the teacher should summarize the key points covered, underscoring the swimming styles (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly), their specific characteristics, competition rules, and the history of swimming. It's important to reinforce how all this knowledge links together to form a holistic understanding of the sport.

Theory Connection

Throughout the lesson, the connection between theory and practice was made evident through activities like competition simulations, video analyses, and pool design projects. These practical applications allowed students to observe theoretical concepts in motion, enhancing their understanding and enthusiasm for the topic.

Closing

Finally, it's critical to underline the significance of swimming not only as a sport but also as a vital skill for personal safety and professional security, along with its historical and cultural importance. Appreciating these facets helps students to value and apply the knowledge they’ve gained in various aspects of their lives.