Woodrow Wilson Senior High School

Aquatics Program Course Syllabus

Course: Physical Education 16- 10th grade- One advisory (9 weeks)

Department: Health and Physical Education (Aquatics)

Credit: One quarter of the one credit PE 16 required 10th grade course

Teachers: Coach Terence Killen, with assistance from the Health/Physical Education Staff

Contact the pool office at (202)-282-7964 or the main office at (202)-282-0120

Mission Statement:

Swimming is a required 9-week segment (one advisory) of the 36 weeks of Physical Education (PE 16) 10th grade course. This course will represent one quarter of the entire 10^th grade Physical Education 16 grade. The purpose of the course is to introduce and develop a keen understanding of this lifetime fitness activity. Students will be pre-tested and moved from an initial starting point through a progression of performance skills that will improve their aerobic and muscular fitness, self-confidence, strength, coordination, and general health. Students leave the class with a better understanding of themselves and with respect for water, an element that encompasses approximately 75% of the Earth’s surface.

Operating Procedures for Daily Pool Use:

1. Swimsuits- Every student must wear a suit to participate in aquatics. Ladies need a one-piece bathing suit. A nylon X-back or T-back is suggested. Gentlemen need a swimming suit or dark gym shorts with an athletic supporter. Cut-offs, street clothes, jeans, warm-up pants, etc., are not acceptable. Tee shirts, towels, and stretch pants or shorts are not allowed on the pool deck or in the water for those students fully participating.

2. Accessories- Goggles are not required, but are strongly recommended. Nose clips, swim caps, ear plugs are permitted and are advised for those who need them. Hair dryers (small) are encouraged for ladies. Please bring your own towel and leave it in the locker room for use after dismissal from the pool deck.

3. Locks- The entrance doors are bolted, but not locked for each class. Students may bring a lock to class daily and remove it at dismissal. Locks left overnight are usually removed and the contents placed in an open, unguarded lost and found room. Students are reminded to memorize their lock combination or safety pin their key to their swim suit before locking their locker and reporting to roll call.

4. Tardiness- Promptness is a major issue in aquatics because of locker room security and pool safety. In accordance with school policy, students reporting late to class, without a written excuse, will be marked as an unexcused absence from class. Tardy students allowed to dress, and those arriving late for roll call will be given partial credit and marked present but tardy. Three unexcused present but tardy grades will constitute one full absence.

5. Grading- Students will be given a daily activity grade (pass/fail) by the aquatics instructor. Students will be graded on the following:

a. Attendance

b. Proper attire and participation

c. Attitude and conduct

d. Exercise performance

e. Safety

f. Written assignments, performance skill test, reading assignments

g. Individual skill, effort and improvement

h. Locker room deportment and timely dismissal

In addition to the above, students will take four physical performance skills tests which will be followed by a short work sheet (computer typed and printed out) that will cover the highlights of each unit covered. Each unit in advanced beginning, intermediate, and advanced aquatics is worth 25 points for a total of 100 points (15 points skill test/10 point worksheet). Students in non-swimming and novice beginning aquatics work toward 20 individual three point skill tests and four 10 point worksheets for a total 100 points

An example: crawl stroke

a. Arm stroke mechanics- 0-5 points

b. Leg kick mechanics- 0-5 points

c. Breathing mechanics and/or glide mechanics- 0-5 points

d. Computer printed worksheet- 0-10 points

Total- 0-25 points

The students’ grades will be based on a percentage of total points accrued as compared to the maximum number of points possible. In accordance with the DCPS grading scale:

A=100-94%; B=93-85%; C=84-75%; D=74-65%; F=64% and below.

Note: Final grades will be affected by tardiness, not dressing out, unexcused absences, improper swimming attire or exercise uniform, bad attitude, misbehavior in the pool, deck, or locker room, and safety breaches.

6. Roll- Roll will be taken every day on the pool deck seven minutes after the second bell rings. Every student needs to report to the pool deck on time so that a proper head count can be taken before instruction begins.

7. Showers- Students must take a shower before entering the pool area. Showers are suggested for students leaving the pool and a sufficient amount of changing time is allotted (15-20 minutes) before the final bell rings. Towels are not provided and must be brought from home. A plastic newspaper bag is suggested to carry out wet towels and suits.

8. Drink, food, and gum- Absolutely no drink, food, or gum is allowed in the locker room or pool area.

9. Smoking- Under penalty of law, smoking is prohibited inside all school buildings and all DCPS government offices.

10. Students Not Dressing Out- Physical Education is a required participatory activity in which every student is expected to fully involve themselves in the entire class. Students not getting into the water need to meet the following five requirements to receive full credit for each class:

1. Prompt arrival to class and roll call

2. A legitimate note signed by the parent or guardian indicating the general reason for not participating and expected recovery date. A doctor’s excuse may also be required

3. A tee shirt and shorts (Wilson Tigers Physical Education uniform suggested but not required

4. Full participation in all exercise activities

5. Observation of the instructional activity during class; peer teaching as needed

Failure to comply with any of the above five items will result in partial or no credit. Students without shorts and tee shirt will not be allowed to exercise and are considered not participating in the entire class and will receive no credit for that day.

Note: It is recommended that students keep a pair of shorts and tee shirt in their hall locker just in case of emergencies.

11. Diving Boards- The aquatics program does not teach springboard diving. Students are not allowed to use or hang onto the diving boards. Students also are not allowed to dive into the water anywhere in the pool, regardless of water depth. Students must enter the water by cautiously jumping or easing into the pool. Anyone interested in diving may contact the Recreation Department and inquire about evening instruction.

12. Attendance Policy- Attendance is mandatory! Three unexcused absences in a double-period class or five unexcused absences in a single-period class, within an advisory, may result in failure. Students who have a legal excuse for an absence during a double-period class will be charged for one and a half days of excused absence; an excused absence for a single-period class will result in a charge of one day of excused absence. Students must submit a written excuse signed by a parent or legal guardian written the next two class meetings for the absence(s). The student will then be allowed to make up the work missed.

13. Home Contact- Students who are habitually tardy, absent, not participating, or uncooperative will have their home contacted by the instructor. Repeated problems with a student will result in the student being barred from the aquatics program and monitored in the in-house detention center.

Final Note: Swimming is a wonderful, lifetime recreational activity that is inexpensive, yet provides a complete cardio-pulmonary workout. However, extreme caution needs to be in the back of everyone’s mind. These rules and regulations provide a guideline for safety and security issues so that the aquatics program can maximize the student’s Physical Education experience.

Worksheet #1

Crawl Stroke (Freestyle)

A. Please type your name, date, assigned Physical Education Teacher, Worksheet Number, and class period on the top of your response page in the right hand corner.

B. Your answers must be typed on a computer or word processor, printed out, and returned to your swimming instructor on the assigned date. Failure to do so will result in a reduction of 2 points for each class day the report is late.

C. Try to give concise answers and remain within a 200 to 300-word limit.

D. Each response is worth 2 points each, with a maximum total of 10 points.

Questions:

1. Describe the Crawl Stroke (Freestyle), making sure to include, in detail, the 3 areas of importance.

2. Is this stroke competitive, lifesaving, or both? Why?

3. What type of kick is used in this stroke? Is it coordinated with, or separate from, the arm movement?

4. Why is breathing important in this stroke?

5. Describe why you would/would not use this stroke in an emergency situation. If you would use it in an emergency, what type of setting works best for this stroke?

Worksheet #2

Elementary Backstroke

A. Please type your name, date, assigned Physical Education Teacher, Worksheet Number, and class period on the top of your response page in the right hand corner.

B. Your answers must be typed on a computer or word processor, printed out, and returned to your swimming instructor on the assigned date. Failure to do so will result in a reduction of 2 points for each class day the report is late.

C. Try to give concise answers and remain within a 200 to 300-word limit.

D. Each response is worth 2 points each, with a maximum total of 10 points.

Questions:

1. Describe the Elementary Backstroke, making sure to include, in detail, the 3 areas of importance.

2. Is this stroke competitive, lifesaving, or both? Why?

3. What type of kick is used in this stroke? Is it coordinated with, or separate from, the arm movement?

4. Why is glide important in this stroke?

5. Describe why you would/would not use this stroke in an emergency situation. If you would use it in an emergency, what type of setting works best for this stroke?

Worksheet #3

Breaststroke

A. Please type your name, date, assigned Physical Education Teacher, Worksheet Number, and class period on the top of your response page in the right hand corner.

B. Your answers must be typed on a computer or word processor, printed out, and returned to your swimming instructor on the assigned date. Failure to do so will result in a reduction of 2 points for each class day the report is late.

C. Try to give concise answers and remain within a 200 to 300-word limit.

D. Each response is worth 2 points each, with a maximum total of 10 points.

Questions:

1. Describe the Breaststroke making sure to include, in detail, the 3 areas of importance.

2. Is this stroke competitive, lifesaving, or both? Why?

3. What type of kick is used in this stroke? Is it coordinated with, or separate from, the arm movement?

4. Why is glide important in this stroke?

5. Describe why you would/would not use this stroke in an emergency situation. If you would use it in an emergency, what type of setting works best for this stroke?

Worksheet #4

Sidestroke

A. Please type your name, date, assigned Physical Education Teacher, Worksheet Number, and class period on the top of your response page in the right hand corner.

B. Your answers must be typed on a computer or word processor, printed out, and returned to your swimming instructor on the assigned date. Failure to do so will result in a reduction of 2 points for each class day the report is late.

C. Try to give concise answers and remain within a 200 to 300-word limit.

D. Each response is worth 2 points each, with a maximum total of 10 points.

Questions:

1. Describe the Sidestroke, making sure to include, in detail, the 3 areas of importance.

2. Is this stroke competitive, lifesaving, or both? Why?

3. What type of kick is used in this stroke? Is it coordinated with, or separate from, the arm movement?

4. Why is glide important in this stroke?

5. Describe why you would/would not use this stroke in an emergency situation. If you would use it in an emergency, what type of setting works best for this stroke?