It's the end of the first swimming lessons session of the year today. It's the day to hand out report cards to my students (or their parents), letting them know if they will proceed to the next level or stay in the current level. This means, of course, that I have to decide whether they are ready for the next level (or not). Sometimes it's an easy yes, or an easy no. But often, there are students right on the edge...students who can do most of the skills well but have one weakness, or have worked very hard and improved a ton but still aren't quite up to snuff. So I have come up with a list of questions to ask myself when deciding whether or not to pass a student.
In order of importance:
1. Can the student do all the individual skills on the checklist?
Most of the time, if the answer is no, then the student should not move on to the next level. I do sometimes make an exception, depending on the skill. For example, I have had students in level 4 that are great swimmers, and easily complete all skills for stroke performance and endurance. But they cannot dive. To me, diving is not one of the most important skills in the program. I have passed students into level 5 if they cannot dive.
2. Can the student do the assessment skills?
Even if the student can do all the skills individually, they still have to do the skills assessment. This is a requirement for Red Cross, and a good indication of success in the next level. It is there to test the student's endurance, and ability to link skills together.
3. Would I want to teach this student in the next level?
If the answer is no, then I don't pass them.
4. Is this the student's first time in this level?
If it is, that may help me decide to keep them in the current level to solidify the skills they have worked on.
5. Has the student reached a plateau, or do I feel the student can keep up their improvement?
Sometimes, a student needs the challenge of a new level to push them to keep improving. They may have to stay in that level for a few sessions, but their skills will evolve more quickly than if held to the current level.
In order of importance:
1. Can the student do all the individual skills on the checklist?
Most of the time, if the answer is no, then the student should not move on to the next level. I do sometimes make an exception, depending on the skill. For example, I have had students in level 4 that are great swimmers, and easily complete all skills for stroke performance and endurance. But they cannot dive. To me, diving is not one of the most important skills in the program. I have passed students into level 5 if they cannot dive.
2. Can the student do the assessment skills?
Even if the student can do all the skills individually, they still have to do the skills assessment. This is a requirement for Red Cross, and a good indication of success in the next level. It is there to test the student's endurance, and ability to link skills together.
3. Would I want to teach this student in the next level?
If the answer is no, then I don't pass them.
4. Is this the student's first time in this level?
If it is, that may help me decide to keep them in the current level to solidify the skills they have worked on.
5. Has the student reached a plateau, or do I feel the student can keep up their improvement?
Sometimes, a student needs the challenge of a new level to push them to keep improving. They may have to stay in that level for a few sessions, but their skills will evolve more quickly than if held to the current level.
