Hobbies And Interests
Underwater Round-Up
In the shallowest part of the pool, begin by distributing a bunch of colorful weighted pool toys, such as rings and plastic animals. Then tell your class a story about rumors of a great pool toy escape, enlisting their help to round up the wayward toys and drop them in the bucket. Even first-time beginners will learn to look into the water, reach in and sometimes even put their faces in the water to locate the toys. Give each student plenty of praise each time she brings in a toy. For advanced beginners, move the round-up to slightly deeper water, and for students who can swim underwater, use the deep end.
Apples, Peaches, Pears, and Plums
You can use this game throughout the beginning to advanced beginning class range, simply adjusting the location from waist-deep water to over-the-head water. Have your class members stand on the side of the pool with their toes at the edge. Each child will have a turn. Everyone says the following rhyme in unison: "Apples, peaches, pears, and plums,/Tell me when your birthday comes." The first student in line shouts his birth date, then jumps into the pool--be sure that the students know to jump away from the wall, without twisting around to grab the side. The jumper remains in the water and joins in as the class repeats the rhyme for the next jumper, until everyone has jumped.
This game gives each student a sense of importance and helps the class learn about classmates. Try varying the rhyme each day as a regular part of the lesson, such as "Lettuce, carrots, and cucumber,/ Tell the class your favorite number." Your students will quickly overcome their hesitancy to jump into the water.
Coffee and Tea
Another water-entry game, you can use this one in a number of ways to reinforce the lesson of the day. Children like this game because it involves the anticipation of wondering who will be selected next, plus it encourages even timid swimmers to join in and learn the lesson. For jumping or diving from the side, have your students stand a few steps back from the side, and as instructor, remain in the water. Say, "I like coffee, I like tea,/I&'d like (student&'s name) to jump in with me." The student then jumps or dives in, depending on what you are teaching. For in-pool play, revise the rhyme to fit, such as "I like coffee, I like tea,/I&'d like Jason to swim out to me." The student would swim from the poolside to where you are standing, then back.