The implementation of the Starfish program has two main components; the core competencies and the benchmarks. These explanations are meant for students or guardians of students, so that they can understand a bit more about the program.
Core Competencies
This is a list of skills that each student needs to master in a certain level. They build upon each other, so that skills in Red need to be learned before those in Yellow.
Benchmarks
This is the final "test", a specific skill that shows the student is able to preform all the core competencies. These are outlined in more detail in the specific level posts.
Safety Skill Benchmark
In addition to swimming skills, each level focuses on water safety as well. This includes life jackets, self-rescue, calling 911 and treading water. While each level has a specific safety benchmark, these skills are part of every lesson, teaching students how to stay safe in the water and react to emergencies.
Star Babies and Star Tots
This is equivalent to the Parent/Child class in Red Cross. The parent or caregiver is in the water with the child, and the instructor is there to show the parent skills and safety techniques to work on with the child. The color levels are the same, with similar goals to the Swim School in an age-appropriate way.
Swim School
The five levels of Swim School prepare the students to learn actual strokes. It starts with trust and submersion and moves through various body movements and positions.
Stroke School
This is where actual competitive swim strokes are taught. Each level takes one of the four; front crawl, backstroke, butterfly, and breast stroke. They focus on drills meant to make each stroke more efficient for competitive swimming.
Other Programs
Core Competencies
This is a list of skills that each student needs to master in a certain level. They build upon each other, so that skills in Red need to be learned before those in Yellow.
Benchmarks
This is the final "test", a specific skill that shows the student is able to preform all the core competencies. These are outlined in more detail in the specific level posts.
Safety Skill Benchmark
In addition to swimming skills, each level focuses on water safety as well. This includes life jackets, self-rescue, calling 911 and treading water. While each level has a specific safety benchmark, these skills are part of every lesson, teaching students how to stay safe in the water and react to emergencies.
Star Babies and Star Tots
This is equivalent to the Parent/Child class in Red Cross. The parent or caregiver is in the water with the child, and the instructor is there to show the parent skills and safety techniques to work on with the child. The color levels are the same, with similar goals to the Swim School in an age-appropriate way.
Swim School
The five levels of Swim School prepare the students to learn actual strokes. It starts with trust and submersion and moves through various body movements and positions.
Stroke School
This is where actual competitive swim strokes are taught. Each level takes one of the four; front crawl, backstroke, butterfly, and breast stroke. They focus on drills meant to make each stroke more efficient for competitive swimming.
Other Programs
- Swim School for Teens and Adults
- Starfish Swim Team
- StarFun and Fitness
- Home school and After school programs
- Parties
- Camps
- Scout groups
- AngelFish - special needs students
1 comment:
This is a fantastic & logical approach to teaching Swimming I'm really looking forward to coming to America from England to learn it!
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