Unit Plan 5 (Grade 1 PE): Balancing Statues

Focus: Help students build non-locomotor balance, body control, and safe space awareness through playful balance poses and a fun freeze-tag style game.

Grade Level: 1

Subject Area: Physical Education (Balance & Stability • Body Control • Space Awareness)

Total Unit Duration: 1 core session + 3 optional sessions (1–2 weeks), 20–30 minutes per session

I. Introduction

Students continue developing movement control by focusing on balance and other non-locomotor movements. In Grade 1, these skills help students learn how to hold the body still, shift weight carefully, and control arms, legs, and posture without always traveling across the floor. Through playful yoga-style poses and a fun Balance Freeze Tag game, students practice standing on one foot, stretching into shapes, freezing with control, and moving safely around others. The goal is to help students feel steady, strong, and successful while learning that balance can be both challenging and fun.

Essential Questions

• How can I hold a balance pose with more control?
• What helps me keep my body steady when I freeze?
• How can I move safely around others during a game?
• Why is balance an important skill in PE?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Perform non-locomotor movements such as balancing, bending, twisting, stretching, and swaying with improving control.
2. Hold simple balance poses for short periods of time with growing stability.
3. Demonstrate awareness of personal and general space while moving and freezing during a game.
4. Participate actively in balance-based activities while using safe body control.

Standards Alignment — 1st Grade (SHAPE America-based custom)

• PE:S1.1b Perform non-locomotor movements (balance, bend, twist, stretch, sway) while maintaining body control.
  • Example: Students hold a balance pose or perform stretching movements during warm-up activities.
• PE:S2.1b Demonstrate awareness of personal and general space while moving.
  • Example: Students avoid collisions while moving around classmates during locomotor games.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can hold a balance pose like tree, airplane, or flamingo.
• I can keep my body still when I freeze.
• I can move around others without bumping into them.
• I can show control when I balance, bend, stretch, or sway.