Unit Plan 19 (Grade 2 PE): Heart Rate & Fitness

Focus: Build understanding of heart rate, body response to exercise, and steady participation through simple jogging, walking, and movement-count challenges.

Grade Level: 2

Subject Area: Physical Education (Fitness Concepts • Active Participation • Body Awareness)

Total Unit Duration: 1 core session + 2 optional sessions (1–3 weeks), 50–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

Students learn that fitness is not only about moving, but also about noticing what happens inside the body while they move. In this unit, students practice jog/walk intervals and a simple Beat Your Lap challenge to help them stay active, pace themselves, and notice body changes such as faster breathing, a quicker heartbeat, feeling warmer, and sometimes sweating. Students begin to understand that these body responses are normal signs that their bodies are working during exercise. The unit is designed to build confidence, help students track their effort in simple ways, and make fitness feel positive, manageable, and fun.

Essential Questions

• What happens to my body when I move for a longer time?
• How can I stay active while also pacing myself during exercise?
• How can I tell when my heart rate or breathing changes?
• How can counting laps or movements help me notice my participation and effort?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Participate actively in jogging, walking, and simple fitness challenges for much of class time.
2. Identify body responses to exercise such as faster heart rate, faster breathing, feeling warm, and sweating.
3. Track simple participation data such as laps, rounds, or repeated movements in a set time.
4. Use safe pacing and movement choices during fitness tasks.

Standards Alignment — 2nd Grade (SHAPE America-based custom)

• PE:S3.2a – Active Participation in MVPA Participate consistently in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during class activities and games.
  • Example: Students remain active during a series of tag games, fitness challenges, or relay activities without sitting out unless instructed.
• PE:S3.2b – Body Response to Exercise Identify how the body responds to physical activity, such as increased heart rate, breathing, warmth, and sweating.
  • Example: After a running activity, students feel their heartbeat and notice that they are breathing faster.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can stay active during jogging, walking, and fitness challenges.
• I can notice when my heart is beating faster or my breathing changes.
• I can count laps or movements during a short challenge.
• I can move at a pace that helps me keep going safely.