Unit Plan 23 (Grade 1 PE): Partner Cooperation Challenges
Grade 1 PE unit featuring fun partner games to build cooperation, turn-taking, and respect while strengthening safe movement and space awareness.
Focus: Help students build cooperation, turn-taking, and respectful behavior through fun partner games that also strengthen safe personal and general space awareness.
Grade Level: 1
Subject Area: Physical Education (Cooperation & Respect • Space Awareness • Partner Movement)
Total Unit Duration: 2 core sessions + 2 optional sessions (1–2 weeks), 20–30 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Students build important PE habits by learning how to work successfully with a partner. In Grade 1, this means taking turns, listening, sharing space, encouraging each other, and moving safely when two people are working close together. This unit uses mirror stretching and playful Partner Cooperation Challenges to help students practice balancing together, copying locomotor movements, and moving through shared tasks like hoop stepping. The goal is to help students understand that partner work is not only about completing a task. It is also about being kind, patient, safe, and helpful while doing it.
Essential Questions
- How can I work well with a partner in PE?
- What does respectful behavior look and sound like during partner games?
- How can I move safely when I am sharing space with another person?
- Why are turn-taking and cooperation important in PE?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Demonstrate cooperation and respect during partner activities.
- Take turns, share equipment, and encourage a partner during movement challenges.
- Demonstrate awareness of personal and general space while moving with a partner.
- Participate actively in partner games while following safety routines and directions.
Standards Alignment — 1st Grade (SHAPE America-based custom)
- PE:S4.1b Demonstrate cooperation and respect for others during partner and group activities.
- Example: Students take turns during skill stations and encourage teammates.
- 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 work kindly with a partner.
- I can take turns and share space safely.
- I can encourage my partner with respectful words.
- I can move without bumping into my partner or others.