Unit Plan 35 (Grade 2 PE): Skill Showcase Festival

Focus: Apply and celebrate a wide range of locomotor and object-control skills through festival-style stations that let students show growth, stay active, and enjoy movement from across the year.

Grade Level: 2

Subject Area: Physical Education (Locomotor Skills • Object Control • Movement Concepts)

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

I. Introduction

Students bring together many of the skills they have practiced throughout the year in a joyful end-of-unit Skill Showcase Festival. Instead of learning one brand-new skill, students revisit familiar movements such as running, jumping, throwing, catching, kicking, dribbling, and striking through active festival stations. In the core session, students rotate through stations such as bowling, kicking goals, throwing at targets, dribble relays, and parachute play, using safe movement, body control, and positive effort to show what they have learned. The unit is designed to help students recognize their growth, stay active across many activity types, and experience PE as a place of success, celebration, and enjoyment.

Essential Questions

• How can I show the skills I have learned in PE this year?
• What does good control look like when I run, jump, throw, catch, kick, dribble, or strike?
• How can I use space, pathways, and effort safely in different festival stations?
• How can a skill showcase feel fun, active, and successful for everyone?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a variety of locomotor and object-control skills through festival station activities.
2. Apply movement concepts such as space awareness, pathways, levels, direction, and force during games and challenges.
3. Stay actively engaged across multiple stations while using safe routines and responsible behavior.
4. Show pride, enjoyment, and confidence while participating in favorite PE skill activities.

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

• PE:S1.2a – Locomotor Skills with Control Perform locomotor skills (run, hop, jump, gallop, slide, leap, and skip) with control, coordination, and appropriate speed for the task.
  • Example: Students complete a locomotor obstacle course using different movements at various points (run to the cone, hop through hoops, slide along a line).
• PE:S1.2b – Non-Locomotor Balance & Stability Perform non-locomotor movements (balance, twist, stretch, bend, sway) while maintaining body control in place and on low-level equipment.
  • Example: Students hold balance poses on a floor line or low beam for several seconds without stepping off.
• PE:S1.2c – Object Control: Throwing & Catching Throw objects (e.g., yarn balls, foam balls) underhand and overhand toward a target and catch objects thrown at an appropriate distance with increasing success.
  • Example: Students throw a ball overhand toward a wall target and then catch a ball tossed by a partner from a short distance.
• PE:S1.2d – Object Control: Kicking & Dribbling Kick a stationary and slowly moving ball toward a target and demonstrate simple foot dribbling in a controlled space.
  • Example: Students dribble a ball with their feet through a set of cones and then kick it into a goal.
• PE:S1.2e – Object Control: Striking Strike a lightweight object (balloon, foam ball) with hands and long-handled implements (paddle, foam bat) with developing control.
  • Example: Students strike a balloon upward with a paddle, trying to keep it in the air for several hits.
• PE:S1.2f – Combining Skills in Simple Games Combine locomotor and object-control skills in simple game situations and challenges.
  • Example: Students run to pick up a ball, dribble it with their feet, and then kick it into a marked goal zone.
• PE:S2.2a – Space Awareness in Games Demonstrate understanding of personal and general space by moving safely during tag, chasing, and fleeing games.
  • Example: Students avoid collisions while moving quickly during a tag game by staying aware of others and changing direction.
• PE:S2.2b – Pathways, Levels, Direction Apply movement concepts such as levels (high/medium/low), pathways (straight/curved/zigzag), and directions (forward/backward/sideways) while performing skills.
  • Example: Students travel through cone courses using assigned pathways and levels, such as low-level zigzag pathways.
• PE:S2.2c – Effort & Force (Fast/Slow, Hard/Soft) Adjust speed, effort, and force (fast/slow, hard/soft) to match the demands of different movement tasks and games.
  • Example: Students throw soft foam balls gently to a nearby partner and more firmly toward a distant target.
• PE:S5.2a – Enjoyment of Physical Activity Express enjoyment and positive feelings about participating in physical activity.
  • Example: Students smile, laugh, and eagerly join games, telling the teacher which activities they liked best.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can show different PE skills at different festival stations.
• I can move with control and use the right force for the task.
• I can stay safe by using space, following directions, and taking turns.
• I can show what I learned this year and enjoy being active with my class.